Lillian leaned into Beatrice’s lap, ber eyes flashing with hatred.
She whispered, “Your checkup showed the baby was healthy–how did it just die? Annabel’s so cruel, she must’ve done something!”
Beatrice’s mind raced, things starting to make sense.
All that frail, helpless act–Annabel had been faking it.
Her son’s death changed Annabel, like she’d dropped a disguise. Cameras in her room? Pure scheming.
Beatrice’s throat burned with fury, a bitter taste rising. She kept telling herself, ‘Annabel killed my son… my baby….
She clenched her fists, her voice low and fierce. “Don’t worry, Lillian. I’ll make she wish she were dead.”
Charles showed up at the White family villa soon after, but Annabel didn’t come down.
“I checked social media,” she said over the phone, her voice calm. “This mess won’t clear up with just us two.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Charles asked, his tone sharp.
Annabel’s lips curled, her voice light. “Lillian needs to come.”
At Lillian’s name, Charles got mad. “What’s she got to do with this? She knelt all night. in the ancestral hall–she’s still weak. A press conference is too much for her.”
“I’m not blaming you,” he explained, “It’s just… Lillian’s the only one in this family who really cares about you. No need to drag her into this. It may ruin your relationship.”
A cold laugh came through the phone.
Charles’s skin prickled, worried she’d bail. “Fine, Annabel, bring Lillian. I’ll wait outside.”
The call ended. Annabel checked details with her contact, then went to get Lillian.
Lillian hesitated at first, but hearing it was Charles’s request, she went along, her face
sour.
Beatrice, nervous, wanted to come, but Annabel stopped her.
“We’re going to clear things up,” she said, glancing at Lillian and Charles. “Not to plan a wedding.”
Beatrice’s face twisted, but she stayed behind.
The three arrived at the press con Successfully unlocked!
Reporters swarmed, shoving microphones and cameras forward.
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Chapter 12 He’s My Boyfriend
“Miss Annabel White, did you know your boyfriend cheated with your sister?” one reporter asked.
“Miss Lillian White, did you seduce your future brother–in–law?” another one jumped in.
The third one chimed in, “Mr. Shaw, you’re engaged to Annabel but involved with Lillian -why not marry her instead?”
Charles and Lillian’s faces darkened, Charles’s hand twitching like he might snap.
Annabel smiled faintly, her voice steady. “Everyone, please–we’ll answer your questions soon.”
They took the stage. Reporters settled, cameras flashing.
Charles cleared his throat before questions started, his voice firm. “This is all a setup. The videos are fake–someone’s trying to ruin the Shaw family and my relationship with my girlfriend.”
He reached for Annabel’s hand on the table. “Annabel and I are deeply in love.”
Annabel pulled her hand back, not even glancing at him.
Charles’s hand grasped air. A reporter jumped in. “Annabel dodged your touch, Mr. Shaw. Are you still saying you’re clean with Lillian?”
Charles’s face, just starting to relax, darkened again.
Lillian spoke, her voice soft and weak. “My sister and I are close–how could I ever mess with her boyfriend?”
“Then what about the videos?” a reporter fired back, voice sharp.
“They’re edited!” Lillian said, tears in her eyes. “I’d never go after my sister’s fiancé. I’m
a good person–how could I do something so wrong?”
She shifted, showing red, swollen knees from her night in the ancestral hall.
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
“Miss Lillian White’s so proper–she probably wouldn’t do anything crazy. Someone’s likely framing them,” they whispered.
Charles came prepared–most of the reporters were his people.
“Exactly,” Annabel said, her voice cutting through, grabbing everyone’s attention. Lillian has a boyfriend–why would she chase her future brother–in–law?”
Heads turned, following her gaze to a man rushing in from the corner.
Lillian saw him, a chill hitting her.
It was that weirdo from school who was obsessed with her–cheap clothes, barely over five feet, easily two hundred pounds.
He stared at Lillian, his face full of longing. “Lillian, why didn’t you answer my calls
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Chapter 12 He’s My Boyfriend
yesterday? I missed you so much. My parents aren’t home–come over, please?”
“How did you…” Lillian’s disgust boiled, her stomach turning. She shot a desperate look at Charles, begging for help.
Charles saw his chance and didn’t wait. Despite a twinge of hesitation, he stepped
away from Lillian, putting space between them..
Annabel jumped in, her voice clear. “Lillian, so this is the boyfriend you’ve been talking about. I knew your taste was totally different from mine.”
Eyes bounced between Charles and Lillian’s suitor, followed by muffled laughs from the crowd.
Different? They’re not even in the same league.
Lillian’s face twisted, like she’d tasted something gross. She bit her lip, refusing to take Annabel’s bait.
But the reporters wouldn’t drop it. One pushed, voice sharp, “So, Miss Lillian White, this guy’s your boyfriend? You’ve never had a thing for Mr. Shaw?”
Lillian’s fists tightened, nails digging into her palms. Her teary eyes shot to Charles, begging for help.
Charles looked away, ignoring her.
Her suitor shouted, voice loud, “Lillian, we promised to be together forever. Did you. forget?”
Lillian’s stomach turned with disgust. She’d rather die than be with this guy.
“Lillian?” Annabel asked, her tone doubtful. “Why don’t you say something? Unless you really do have feelings for Charles…”
Before she could finish, Charles cut in, his voice steady. “No. This is Lillian’s boyfriend. We’ve met before. She’s not into me, and I’ve never cheated on Annabel.”
Lillian, now in the spotlight, felt her heart sink. She forced a smile. “That’s right–he’s my boyfriend.”
The reporters, happy with the drama, took their photos and left.
Annabel headed to the venue’s restroom, and, as she expected, Lillian followed.
“Annabel, you did this on purpose!” she yelled.
Lillian’s red eyes glared, her hands shaking, like she wanted to choke Annabel.
Annabel’s lips curled into a cold smile. “So what if I did? I was helping you both.”
Lillian fumed, “Helping? Who asked for your help? You think you’re a big deal? –
Lillian stopped, noticing Annabel’s calm vibe. She shut her mouth fast.
After falling for Annabel’s tricks before, she was smart enough not to keep talking. She
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Chapter 12He’s My Boyfriend
was worried about a recording or something worse.
She stomped her foot, voice shaky. “Just you wait.”
Annabel crossed her arms. “Hope I don’t wait too long,” she said, her tone teasing.
Lillian stormed out, but at the restroom door, a big guy blocked her.
“Lillian, you okay? It’s our first day together–let’s go see a movie,” he said, sounding.
excited.
“Get lost, you creep!” Lillian shouted.
She pushed him aside and ran, breathing hard.
She didn’t stop until she hit the parking lot, shaking off the guy. Catching her breath, she pulled out her phone and called Charles.
“Charles, it’s all Annabel’s fault–she set this up, leaked those videos online,” she cried, her voice cracking.
