Chapter 8 Something Exciting
“Charles, are you okay?” Annabel asked, her voice full of concern as she reached out to help him. “I was so worried!”
Charles scrambled out of the pond, water dripping from his soaked clothes.
He stared at Annabel for a long moment, trying to convince himself the murderous glint he’d seen was just his imagination.
When he failed to convince himself, his anger exploded. “Annabel, are you insane? Why’d you push me under?”
“I didn’t mean to!” Annabel said, tears welling in her eyes. “I was trying to save you, but. I got so scared!”
Her sobs caught a maid’s attention, and she immediately peeked over curiously. Charles swallowed his rage, about to calm her down.
Annabel wiped her tears, her voice suddenly flat. “But, you looking like this? That was on purpose!”
Charles froze. “What?”
“I said…” Annabel kicked hard at his waist. With a thud, he splashed back into the pond water flying everywhere.
She looked down at the flailing Charles, her smile icy. “Keep looking!” she smirked.
Annabel pulled the diamond necklace from her pocket and tossed it. It landed on Charles’s head, tangled with pond weeds, his face a sickly green–quite a sight.
As she turned to walk away, Charles slammed his fists into the water. “Annabel! You’ll pay for this!” he roared.
Annabel didn’t pause, not even glancing back.
The maids nearby whispered, their gossiping eyes darting, stifled laughs reaching Charles’s ears,
As the Shaw family’s heir, he’d never been humiliated like this.
Charles yanked the necklace off his head, teeth grinding.
You’r
regret this, Annabel–I’ll make you pay!‘ he thought.
Back in her room, Annabel finished a call with the police about the crashed car.
Heading downstairs for water, she saw Lillian in the living room, gently toweling Charles’s wet hair, her touch tender.
Annabel ignored them, grabbing a Successfully unlocked! d upstairs.
“Annabel!” Lillian called, her voice full of fake concern, tinged with blame. “Charles just
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Cluster & Something Treiting
got back from a trip. Even if he upset you, you can’t just push him into the cold pond. That’s savage!”
Charles stayed silent, his expression fully supporting Lillian’s words.
“Dad’s picking up Mom now. When he hears what you did, he’ll chew you out. Apologize to Charles now!” Lillian urged, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Annabel’s gaze was cold, locking onto Lillian. Her rival’s face didn’t look like she wanted peace–more like she wanted a bigger fight..
“Apologize?” Annabel laughed sharply. “Not a chance.”
Lillian’s eyes flashed with triumph, ready to push further, but Annabel cut in.
“But I could tell Grandpa that we swap the White–Shaw marriage deal,” she said, “Let you marry into the Shaw family, Lillian!”
Lillian froze, her heart racing. Marrying into the Shaw family was her goal, but…
“No way!” Charles snapped, his voice firm, crushing Lillian’s hopes.
He forced a smile, turning to Annabel. “You know I only care about you, Annabel–don’t joke like that!
Charles’s mind was on the pendant. He grabbed the towel from Lillian and stepped toward Annabel.
“I know I upset you today, so you’re… throwing a little fit!” he said, his smile stiff, teeth clenched. “But that just shows you care. I’m sorry–it’s my fault. Don’t be mad.”
Lillian watched Charles grovel to Annabel, ignoring her.
Her heart sank, but rage and jealousy burned hotter–‘Why her? Why always Annabel?‘
Her fists clenched, but she forced a pitiful smile. “Annabel, I swear I have no feelings. for Charles–please don’t get it wrong!”
Annabel didn’t forgive or condemn. She gave them a long, knowing look and walked
away.
Charles called after her, but she didn’t respond. His face darkened, veins bulging as he ground his teeth.
Lillian hid her bitterness, stepping forward with a gentle tone. “Charles, Annabel’s probably just in a bad mood lately–be patient with her!”
Charles turned to Lillian, her understanding demeanor a relief. He patted her head. ” You’re the good one–always so sweet!”
Lillian smiled, but her heart burned with dark resentment.
“Charles, your clothes are soaked!” she said, tracing circles on his arm with her finger. Why don’t you… stay here tonight?”
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Chapter Something Deciting.
Charles looked down, catching the fire in Lillian’s eyes. His chest tightened, pulse. racing.
“Alright, show me to the guest room!” he said, his voice low.
Lillian knew what was coming. She flashed a shy smile, her cheeks pink.
Upstairs, the second they entered the room, Lillian wrapped her arms around Charles’s neck, pressing her lips to his.
Charles, used to these moments in the White family villa, locked the door easily. He then lifted Lillian, and carried her to the bed.
“Wait…” Lillian pulled back, breathless, leaning away. “You’re all wet; you’ll catch a cold!”
Charles nipped at her collarbone, his voice rough. “You can wait?”
Lillian giggled, tickled, cupping his face. “Why don’t we shower together?”
Charles’s eyes lit up–he’d never done something this bold in the White family.
No hesitation. He scooped Lillian up and headed for the bathroom.
Unbeknownst to them, someone watched their heated scene through a computer
screen.
Annabel’s cold smirk grew as she studied Charles. ‘This is enough to satisfy you, Lillian Pathetic, she thought..
As the two neared their peak, Annabel dialed a number she’d prepped.
Ring, ring–Charles’s phone blared, the screen flashing “Annabel.” He froze, his moment ruined.
Lillian squirmed, annoyed. “Hmm?”
Charles scowled, grabbing the phone. “Hello?”
“Charles? You home yet?” Annabel asked, her tone casual.
Charles glanced at Lillian, taking a deep breath. “No, I’m in the guest room, showering. Anything wrong? I’m hanging up!”
Annabel’s voice was warm, almost too sweet. “Oh, okay. Take your time… really wash up!”
The call ended. Charles frowned–her last words felt strange, but he brushed it off. Lillian’s soft hands slid up his arm.
“Charles, let’s keep going…” she purred, her voice coaxing.
Charles wasn’t satisfied either, but no matter how he tried, he couldn’t perform.
After several failed attempts, he was close to success when the phone rang again. He grabbed it, furious. “What now?”
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Chapter Something Exciting
“Charles, I’m picking up the pendant tomorrow. Could you come with me?”
Charles sat up, excitement surging. “Yes, of course I’ll be there for something that big!”
Lillian’s eyes darkened–Annabel, ‘always in her way. She pressed herself against
Charles, kissing his back, trying to pull him in.
Charles’s frustration flared, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t rise to the
occasion.
His failure enraged him. He shoved Lillian away, stormed to the shower, and wrapped himself in a bathrobe before leaving.
Lillian lay alone in the tub, naked, her face twisted with bitter, seething jealousy.
Meanwhile, Annabel grabbed her backpack, headed downstairs, and made for the
front door.
She ran into Beatrice, just back, her face oddly flushed, looking healthier than. expected.
Annabel’s lips curved into a slow, knowing smile.
A
