Chapter 17
Annie, you really think that? Yolanda’s face lit up with delight.
“Absolutely.” Annie pressed on. “I think you’re amazing. You’ve got the looks, and you just need a linle more luxe to up your game. Picture yourself draped in million–dollar jewelry–who wouldn’t see you as a socialite
Jessica’s mind sparked with realization. “I fancy Jereby too. Why would I match Jessica and him instead of pushing for myself? Just because my family’s not up to par? Marriage boosts women. Once I marry into the Chandler family, Jessica will be left in my shadow. I can snap up all the top- tier shoes, bags, perfumes, and makeup without giving a damn about what others think.”
Observing Yolanda’s expression, Annie knew she had successfully sparked her ambitions. Yolanda’s infatuation with Jeremy was a secret even Jessica wasn’t aware of. But how did Annie know?
In her previous life, Yolanda had hidden a handkerchief that belonged to Jeremy. When Jessica uncovered this, Yolanda pinned the blame on Annie. Consequently, Annie was abandoned in the bleak mountains, nearly exposed to the elements on a frosty day. Surviving the ordeal, she bore frostbite scars on her heels and ears for years to come.
Jessica manipulated Yolanda like a marionette, dictating her every move. In this life, the tables has turned. What would it feel like for Jessica to face the repercussions of nurturing a dog that eventually bit her? Annie eagerly anticipated the answer.
However, merely stoking Yolanda’s ambitions wasn’t enough. She lacked the bravery to turn those aspirations into reality. Annie’s forthcoming plan was to instill the courage Yolanda needed.
“Ms. Sanders, you’re here. More lilies today?” The flower shop owner greeted Annie warmly.
Annie had hit up the same flower shop for days in a row. Even the store owner was starting to recognize her face.
“Yeah, lilies.” Annie nodded lightly. She stood by the flower shelf, meticulously selecting the perfect blooms.
Across the street of the flower shop, two men were watching.
Donald, sporting a black skull t–shirt and a baseball cap, exclaimed, “Mr. Hudson, you don’t even care about the Sanders brothers, yet you’ve been keeping an eye on this little girl for days. Are you smitten by her beauty or what?”
“Hmm.” Jackson retorted mockingly without explaining. However, his gaze shifted to the flower shop.
Annie, clad in a light green dress, stood amidst a riot of colorful flowers, her thick hair cascading down her shoulders, exuding a captivating aura.
Donald rambled, “Mr. Hudson, you’ve dug deep in Annie’s background. Everything seems fine. I think you’re reading too much into it
“Is that so?” Jackson raised an eyebrow. “Then explih why she’s been visiting this shop every day”
Donald scoffed, “What’s odd about a girl enjoying flowers?”
Jackson remained silent. Sometimes, perfection meant imperfection. And as he caught sight of Jeremy appearing at the shop’s entrance, his gaze sharpened–he understood Annie’s intentions.
Inside the shop, Annie reached for’a lily, but Jeremy’s hand took it before her. She gazed up, not startled by his sudden appearance but feigning surprise. “Mr. Chandler?”
A warm smile crept across Jeremy’s face. “What a coincidence.”
In fact, Annie had been frequenting the flower shop near his workplace for Jeremy. If he hadn’t shown up today, she wouldn’t come again. She struggled to control her resentment. She knew her strength was too small to take revenge yet, but every incident was etched in her memory. She smiled. “Are you here to buy flowers too?”
Jeremy, one of the many Chandler family heirs, sought to solidify his standing within his family through strategic alliances. In her previous life, in order to win Yosef’s that “ugly” Annie, let alone now Annie possessed striking beauty and charisma.
support, he even married
Ever since Jeremy had defended her at the party and later sought her out in the garden, Annie sensed his impending actions–he had taken the bait.