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Chapter 35

Jackson mused, “This woman just can’t stand to be at a disadvantage. He clicked his tongue, arms folded, slouching lazily against the wall. “Well, well,” he drawled, “looks like old man Quinton’s got a soft spot for you.”

Annie shrugged it off. “So what?”

Jackson’s frown deepened at her unchanging expression. “You knew?” He thought, ‘Or was she trying to get his attention?”

A moment later, as if an idea struck him, he dropped his gaze, chuckled softly, then looked up again. “By the way, aren’t you into Jeremy? Does he know his uncle’s got his eye on you? With his status, would he even dare to compete?”

Annie was well aware of the situation. Jeremy wouldn’t dare to compete on the surface, but he had the dirtiest means. That was why Annie didn’t deal with Jeremy first, She had plans for Jeremy and couldn’t just spill the beans to Jackson.

With a slight arch of her eyebrow, she replied coolly, “This doesn’t seem to concern you, Mr. Hudson.”

“Being so indifferent to me already?” Jackson’s sharp eyes bore into her. He spoke offhandedly, “You know, back in the day, if I saw your feet, I’d have to marry you.”

His voice was low, crisp like a frosty morning, devoid of emotion yet somehow hinting at a deeper warmth.

Most women would have been flustered by such a remark, but Annie just rolled her eyes. “With all the skin on display out there, Mr. Hudson, you’d be marrying half the world.”

Jackson didn’t bristle. He laughed. “Just a heads–up, Annie. Don’t mess with fire or you’ll get burned. The Chandlers aren’t dumb.”

Annie tilted her head, a challenge in her eyes. “So, Mr. Hudson, you think I’m a fool?”

He took a step back, eyes narrowing as he studied her.

Annie casually brushed her hair aside, unperturbed. “When John lost his things, you were at Jessica’s party. When Tom got framed, you were in that bar, too. Just a bunch of coincidences, I suppose?”

In her past life, she’d sensed an unseen hand working against the Sanders family, but it was so covert, she never uncovered

the truth until it was too late. She’d figured it was Jeremy, but now it seemed he wasn’t the mastermind never uncovered

Jackson stood up straight, his usual laid–back look replaced by a serious stare. He thought, ‘Damn, who said Annie was easy to push around?‘

Annie wasn’t one to get tangled in Jackson’s games. She brushed past him, her voice low and resolute. “I don’t care what you do to my uncles, but don’t you dare touch my family! If anything happens to them, I’ll fight you to the bitter end.” She lifted her evening gown and strode back to the banquet hall, her back straight, not a glance back.

Jackson watched her go, rubbing his nose and chuckling softly. “How rare.” He’d been threatened, and his rarely stirred compassion was brushed aside by her. He mused, ‘Annie, what’s your real game?”

“Where am I?” Donald scratched his head, the hotel’s decor all looking the same, giving him a headache. Lost after a bathroom break, he worried his boss would mock him again.

As he pondered asking for directions, he turned a corner and heard a woman quietly sobbing

to

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“It’s all my fault. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have been humiliated. Mason, I’m so sorry..” She bowed her head, tears

the blame. streaming, taking

Mason felt his heartbreak. “How can it be your fault? It’s.all because of your sister. She’s outrageous! I don’t mind the embarrassment, but seeing you bullied by her, I could kill her!”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Jessica quickly hushed him, her voice anxious. “You can’t go doing something reckless for me.”

+5

Mason’s heart pounded with a mix of excitement and anger. The woman he’d always admired was showing a side he’d never seen before–vulnerable and open with him. The alcohol was kicking in, clouding his judgment.

He made a vow without hesitation. “Jessica, don’t fret. I won’t let you be wronged. Annie’s days of glory are numbered.” He was determined to right the wrongs done to his beloved and to settle the score with Annie herself.

“Whoa!” Donald blinked in surprise, ears burning from the overheard conversation. Without a moment’s delay, he texted his boss: [Someone is plotting against Ms. Annie Sanders.]

Jackson, on receiving the message, paused mid–step, debating whether to alert Annie. But as he opened the message box, he hesitated again, feeling a bit too involved.

He wasn’t known for his soft heart. Even his earlier gesture of offering Annie a band–aid had been out of character. He didn’t need to keep bending his principles, especially for a woman who might not even be grateful.

Moreover, thinking of Annie’s cunning and spirited eyes, a smirk played on his lips. ‘Who knows? That woman could really come out on top.’

*****

“Ouch… It really hurts!” The ill–fitting high heels Annie wore had rubbed her heel raw, made worse by cuts from broken glass. Standing for too long was becoming torture.

Having made her mark with Quinton and achieved her goal, she casually bid her uncle farewell and left without a second thought.

The elevator took her to the parking lot on the third floor underground. The hotel’s underground parking lot was massive and she wasn’t in the mood for a walk. She asked the driver to bring the car to her. Annie called her driver, Ellis, “Yeah, I’m at the west exit, come pick me up-”

But before she could finish her sentence, everything went black. A bag was thrown over her head, and strong arms from behind grabbed her, lifting her off her feet and tossing her into a nearby car.

The car door shut with a thud. “Go!” The driver made a sharp turn and sped out of the parking lot.

Inside the bag, Annie fumed with frustration. She’d been extra careful, even avoiding alcohol at the banquet to stay alert. But she hadn’t expected such a bold move. She mused, “The parking lot was under surveillance. Who would dare to act so recklessly? Quinton? No, that old fox wouldn’t resort to such crude methods. Jeremy? Even less likely. I haven’t started the fight with him yet. Could it be Jessica or Yolanda from the Sanders family? Do they have the guts?”

Annie ran through the list of potential culprits in her mind, not excluding Jackson. She’d threatened him so much today. Could he be retaliating?

As she pondered her predicament, the car hit a bump, and something hard jabbed her lower back. The shape sparked a jolt of hope–it was a phone! It seemed her phone hadn’t been left behind but had slipped into the car with her.

With her hands tied, she carefully shifted her weight, inching closer to the device.

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She nervously thought, Almost there… Just a bit more… Her fingers, damp with sweat, brushed the edge of the phone. ‘Yes! I got it‘

Feeling along the surface, she managed to unlock it with her fingerprint, intending to dial 911. But with her vision blocked, she accidentally hit the wrong button, and a call went through.

On the other end, a voice quickly answered. “Hello?”

Before Annie could utter a sound, a rough hand snatched the phone away. “What’s this? Trying to call the cops?” the man hissed, dismantling the phone and tossing the pieces out the window. A passing truck crushed the phone to bits.

In the car, Annie’s face was a mix of emotions. She recognized the voice on the other end, even though it was just a simple “Hello.” She hadn’t expected to reach that man in such a situation. Was this bad luck or destiny?