Lillian cried hard, her tears full of pain.
Charles would’ve comforted her softly, but now, imagining Lillian with that creep, he felt grossed out.
“Annabel’s not as smart as you think,” he said, his voice edged with disgust.
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Lillian felt his coldness, her heart dropping, but she pushed through her sobs. “There’s nothing going on between me and that guy–you know you were my first.”
Charles softened, remembering their past. “Stop crying. I trust you. Where are you? I’ll
come get you.”
“In the parking lot,” Lillian sniffled.
Charles rushed over, pulling her into a hug when she got in his car.
“Alright, no more tears–you’ll mess up your eyes,” he said gently.
Lillian leaned into his chest, her tears quiet now. “Charles, we were at my house when it happened–how could anyone get that video? Only Annabel could’ve hidden a
camera.”
Charles wasn’t sure Annabel was clever enough to catch his thing with Lillian, let alone plant a tiny camera in the guest room.
There was no way she could outsmart the Shaw family’s attempts to delete those.
videos.
Still, Lillian had a point.
Annabel had been acting weird lately.
“I’ll figure out a way to test her,” Charles said, a sly look in his eyes. “Once we get THE PENDANT, you work on Walter’s shares. Then we can be together, no hiding.”
“Okay,” Lillian said, her crying easing, a pleased smile creeping in.
When Annabel got to the parking lot, only Charles was in the car.
“Where’s Lillian?” she asked, her voice steady.
Charles grinned. “She went home. Annabel, let me take you to
et the pendant.”
“The pendant?” Annabel met his sneaky eyes, her smile faint. “Did I say I was getting it
today?”
Charles froze, his face darkening.
“Just kidding,” Annabel said, her I. Successfully unlocked ‘Drive me to the bank.”
Charles’s smile came back. Once Annabel buckled up, he sped off, eager.
Chapter 13 The Stolen Pendant
They got to the bank fast. Annabel told Charles to stay in the car and went inside alone.
Charles’s eyes gleamed with a cunning plan, watching her go. He made a call.
“Stick to the plan,” he said, his voice low.
Less than half an hour later, Annabel came out, holding the pendant.
A few steps toward the car, a motorcycle roared up. A guy in a black helmet grabbed her bag and sped away.
Annabel turned, seeing only the taillight of the unmarked bike, trailing black smoke.
“Charles!” She ran to the car, yelling, “Chase that motorcycle–the pendant got stolen!”
Charles matched her panic, his voice tight. “What? the pendant? How’d it get stolen?”
Annabel saw the bike disappearing and frowned. “Move now, or they’re gone!”
Charles blinked, like he was shaking off a fog, and started the car.
The engine coughed, stalling over and over.
Finally, he turned, his face sorry. “Annabel, they’re long gone. Let’s file a report at the police station–have them check cameras.”
Annabel’s mind scoffed–the bike had no plates. Whoever it was would ditch it in a camera–free spot and vanish. A police report wouldn’t help.
She sighed, her face worried. “Guess that’s our only option.”
Charles patted her shoulder, his voice comforting. “Don’t worry–I’ll help you find it.”
His lips twitched, a tiny smile slipping through.
“Really?” Annabel looked up, her dark eyes sharp, like they could see through every. trick.
Charles hesitated, his voice shaky. “Of… of course. Isn’t the pendant important to you?”
“Thanks,” Annabel said, her tone flat, no feeling in it. “If you find it, I’ll make sure to
repay you.
Charles shivered–her “repay” sounded more like “revenge.”
After filing the report at the station, Annabel and Charles split up. She had somewhere to be.
The old town was run–down, its streets full of older folks, buildings falling apart.
Annabel walked faster, heading for a house burned into her memory.
At the door, she paused, her heart unsteady. She knocked lightly. “Tap, tap.”
A middle–aged woman’s voice called out. “Who’s there?”
“Mom…” Annabel’s voice cracked, tears stinging her eyes. “It’s me, Annabel.”
Chapter 13 The Stolen Pendant
“Crash.” Something broke inside. The door slowly opened.
“Annabel, is it really you?” someone asked.
Sophie Miller’s face lit up, reaching for Annabel’s arm. Seeing her rough hands, she pulled back, nervously wiping them on her clothes, flustered.
Annabel watched, guilt hitting her hard at Sophie’s caution.
In her past life, Annabel had been fooled by lies, thinking Sophie Miller was cruel and
beneath her.
After Sophie was kicked out of the White family, Annabel never visited–not even once.
Their only meeting came when Sophie, sick and dying, pressed the pendant into her hands, saying it would protect her and bring her luck.
“Mom!” Annabel hugged Sophie tightly, her voice low and shaky. “I’m so sorry.”
Sophie, caught off guard, softened with worry. “Annabel, did the White family hurt you?‘ No,
I just… missed you so much,” Annabel said, breathing in Sophie’s familiar smell- warm, comforting, safe.
Sophie saw Annabel’s neediness, her eyes tearing up. “I missed you too,” she said, her voice heavy.
They held each other a bit longer. Sophie pulled back, her voice soft. “Hungry? I’ll cook your favorite, okay?”
“I’d love that. Let me help,” Annabel said, smiling.
Sophie wouldn’t have it, waving her to the living room. “Rest. I’ve got this,” she said, firm but kind.
Annabel gave in, unable to argue, and opened her laptop to take care of some work.
A message from Beatrice popped up. Beatrice: [Madame Ann, free this Saturday? I’d love to have you as a guest at the White family.]
Annabel’s reply was short. [Not free.]
At the White family villa, Beatrice stared at the two–word answer, her excitement snuffed out like a cold splash of water.
Her fingers tightened around the phone, knuckles pale.
Victor, watching, asked carefully, “Beatrice, what’d they say?”
The White family was shifting into tech and needed a top hacker to take the lead. Victor had his eye on Madame Ann.
“Madame Ann’s busy–says it’ll be a while,” Beatrice said, leaning into Victor’s arms, her voice gentle. “Don’t worry, Victor–I’ll get Madame Ann here.”
No matter how good Madame Ann was, Beatrice was sure money would make her
Chapter 13 The Stolen Pendant
play along.
Annabel and Sophie ate dinner, talking warmly before heading out to shop.
At the mall, Annabel got a call from the police. She told Sophie to go into a store and pick something out.
Sophie’s eyes fell on a dress–perfect for Annabel.
“Excuse me, can you get that dress for me?” she asked the saleswoman, pointing.
The saleswoman nodded, already holding it. ”
Just then, a sharp voice cut in, pointing at the dress. “That one. I want it.”
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