Chapter 6 Beatrice’s Breakdown
Annabel finished handling the PK in the game, then got to work on real business.
She knew Beatrice White too well–Beatrice wouldn’t just stay quiet in the hospital. She’d make a move.
Using her past–life memory, Annabel tracked down the shady groups Beatrice worked with before. She hacked their computers, planting listening software.
An hour later, Beatrice’s gritted voice came through her earpiece. “Watch Annabel closely. When she’s alone, stage a car crash–don’t kill her. Keep her alive. I want her to suffer forever!”
Annabel smirked. “Got you!” she murmured, her voice low.
She slept soundly. The next morning, Annabel got ready and headed downstairs. Lillian and Victor were in the dining room, laughing and chatting.
The moment Annabel appeared, Lillian’s face shifted, her heavy makeup not hiding the dark circles under her eyes.
Lillian forced a sweet smile. “Did you sleep well last night?” she asked, her voice
sugary.
Annabel didn’t answer, tilting her head. “How about you?”
Lillian’s mind flashed to last night’s humiliation–her body wrecked from endless bathroom trips. She clenched her teeth, forcing a smile. “Great. Why wouldn’t I?”
Annabel’s lips curved faintly, her eyes cold.
Lillian, eager to change the subject, turned to Victor. “Dad, you’re really taking me to the art exhibit?”
“Of course. We’ll pick up your mom, then go!” Victor said, his face warm.
He treated Lillian like his only daughter while Annabel was invisible.
“I knew you loved me best, Dad!” Lillian chirped, beaming at Victor.
She even gave Victor a kiss on the cheek. As if just noticing Annabel, Lillian gasped softly. “What about Annabel? Dad, let’s bring her!”
Victor frowned slightly. “She doesn’t know art–she’d be bored!”
Annabel spoke up. “You’re right, Dad–you and Lillian go to the exhibit. I’ll pick up Beatrice from the hospital.”
Victor blinked, surprised by her agreement. “Really? Good. Take care of Beatrice–don’t upset her again.”
After yesterday, Lillian didn’t trust Annabel’s sudden kindness. She opened her mouth,
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Chapter 6 Beatrice’s Breakdown
but Victor cut in, urging her to get ready.
Lillian
right?”
gave Annabel a long look, her smile innocent. “You’ll bring Mom back safely,
“Of course,” Annabel said, nodding, her face unreadable.
She’d bring Beatrice back–on her terms.
As Annabel drove out of the villa district, she noticed a car following her
It stayed close but not too close, like a stubborn shadow.
Too bad–she wasn’t the weak Miss White anymore.
A second before the light turned red, she floored it, speeding through. A few breaths later, she swerved left, losing the tail.
At the hospital, Beatrice had just gotten a call. Her goons lost Annabel.
Then Annabel appeared right in front of her.
“You…” Beatrice choked, the apple she was chewing stuck in her throat, making her gag with a “ka–ka–ka” sound.
Annabel watched for a moment, then walked over, resting a hand on Beatrice’s shoulder. She slammed her palm hard on Beatrice’s back.
“Blop!” The apple slid down Beatrice’s throat.
Beatrice coughed, her face red, tears streaming. “Cough, cough, cough…”
Her back ached, numb and sore like it’d been hit with a brick.
“You!” Beatrice wheezed, pointing at Annabel as she caught her breath. “What are you doing here? Trying to kill me? You nearly crushed my lungs!”
Annabel’s face was all innocence. “Beatrice, if I hadn’t helped, you’d have choked to death!”
Beatrice snapped out of it, her eyes narrowing. She stared at Annabel, then cleared her throat. “Well, uh, thanks, Annabel. But why are you at the hospital?”
“Dad took Lillian to an art exhibit. I’m here to pick you up!” Annabel said, glancing at Beatrice’s packed bags. “Discharge papers are done. Let’s go.”
Beatrice couldn’t argue. She followed Annabel out, her steps slow.
In the parking lot, Annabel was about to start the car when she saw a striking couple walking nearby.
Both were gorgeous, especially the man–his vibe screamed wealth, his every move like a king above the crowd.
But Annabel knew better. He was just a guy selling his body.
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Chapter 6 Beatrice’s Breakdown
She didn’t expect to see the man from her first night so soon–and at a hospital.
Annabel frowned. She’d need a check–up soon, just in case.
Her face blank, she drove past them, eyes straight ahead, ignoring the man’s gaze.
Jonathan Turner stopped walking, his eyes locked on the car speeding away.
The woman beside him noticed and asked softly, “What’s wrong, Jonathan?”
He stared at the car for a while, his gaze sharp, “Nothing. Thought I saw someone I
know.”
The woman’s heart tightened. Jonathan, new to Frostville, already knew someone? Is it the Winthrop or Lynn family trying to get close?”
Inside the car, Beatrice frowned, unease growing. “Annabel, you’re heading out of town -this isn’t the way home.”
Annabel glanced at her, calm. “We’re being followed.”
“What?” Beatrice snapped, her mind racing.
Her own words echoed–Stage a car crash.
She remembered her text. Beatrice: [Don’t kill her. Keep her alive. I want her to suffer forever.]
Beatrice shot up, gripping the seatback. “Stop the car. Now.”
Annabel didn’t slow down. She floored the gas, swerving through a turn. “Beatrice,
hold on.”
Beatrice lurched left, her head smacking the window with a thud. Pain flashed across
her face.
She didn’t care about that now. Annabel wouldn’t listen. Beatrice fumbled for her phone, desperate to call off her goons.
Beatrice: [Cancel the mission. Now!]
“No… no signal?” Beatrice stared at her phone, stunned, tears welling up. “Seriously? Now?”
Annabel saw Beatrice’s panic in the rearview mirror, her lips curving faintly. “Beatrice, buckle up–they’re catching up.”
Beatrice had never been in a car this fast. Every turn felt like she was floating.
“Slow down.” she gasped, her stomach churning, ready to puke.
The road turned empty, winding up the mountain–fewer cars, more danger.
Beatrice knew her crew would get bolder here. She opened her mouth to beg Annabel. to head for the city, but a hard jolt shook the car.
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Chapter 6 Beatrice’s Breakdown
The tail rammed them. She nearly flew into the front seat.
“Oh my God.” Beatrice screamed, her voice cracking.
Death felt so close. Tears streamed down her face. “Stop, Annabel–please, I’m
begging you, stop.” she sobbed, clutching the seat.
Annabel was reliving the thrill of her past life’s street racing–stop? No chance.
She pressed the gas harder, the car roaring forward.
“Turn. You’re going to crash.” Beatrice shrieked, her body stiff, throat tight, mind blank. She watched Annabel speed toward a sharp curve.
“Skreeee.” Annabel spun the wheel, cool as ice, drifting through the turn perfectly. A huge boom echoed behind them.
The car stopped.
Beatrice flung the door open, crawling out like she’d escaped hell. Her hands and knees hit the ground–she felt alive again.
Not far off, a broken guardrail showed where their pursuers‘ car had plunged off the cliff.
Beatrice glanced at Annabel. She’d stepped out, staring ahead, her gaze cold and fierce.
The wind tossed Annabel’s dark hair, her stance strong–nothing like Beatrice, sprawled weak on the ground.
Annabel turned, locking eyes with Beatrice.
For a moment, Beatrice saw raw, murderous intent in those amber eyes.
“I… I…” Beatrice stammered, her voice shaking.
Annabel’s face softened, her voice gentle. “Beatrice, you okay?”
Beatrice blinked, unsure–‘Is that deadly look just my imagination?”
“I’m… fine.” she mumbled, then gagged. “Ugh, ugh-”
The mountain breeze hit her, and Beatrice retched, vomiting until everything spun.
Annabel watched, her cold smirk barely hidden.
A moment later, she tossed the signal jammer she’d set up last night down the mountainside. She pulled out her phone and dialed.
“Hello, I need to report an accident. On the midsection of Panorama Highway, a
Mercedes, license LAN 527, tried to ram my car and crashed off the cliff. Attempted murder.” she said, her voice calm and clear.
