CHAPTER 13: CHAPTER 13: HUMILIATION, RESTLESSNESS

His deep-set eyes were shrouded in darkness, "Don’t move."

The woman’s voice on the phone grew louder, puzzled, "Is there someone with you?"

The man’s knee pressed between Annelise’s legs, "Hang up."

Annelise felt even more embarrassed, as if she had heard that voice somewhere before, but couldn’t recall it.

She kicked out with her other foot, unknowingly activating a button inside the car, causing the partition to fall.

Everything in the backseat was now fully visible.

Annelise froze, fumbling awkwardly to cover her exposed chest.

Uncle Ford and Zane in the front were also startled, and the vehicle almost skidded off the road.

Fortunately, Zane was a good driver and managed to steady it in time.

In reality, they didn’t dare to look.

It was just a reflexive glance, only catching a glimpse of the two people’s posture, nothing else was visible.

They were scared back by the young master’s cold and terrifying gaze.

The partition was pushed up again at the last second, Elias hung up the call, and said curtly, "Zane, stop the car!"

Rationality returned.

The turbulent emotions were doused with cold water.

Elias composedly released Annelise, returning to his seat.

Compared to her disheveled attire, he remained impeccably dressed, exuding an air of superiority.

A surge of frustration crowded his chest, he lifted a hand to loosen his collar, no longer looking at her lying there.

The gates to the majestic mansion were already visible.

Zane, however, suddenly braked hard.

As soon as the car door opened, Annelise almost scrambled out in a panic.

The wind and rain mercilessly rushed in through the opened window.

Elias’s long, cold hand rested on the window, his handsome features shrouded in shadows.

"The Peace Lock is in the trash can in my room, the patrons are waiting for you too, are you sure you want to leave?"

Annelise clutched her collar against the wind and rain, glancing up at the luxurious residence in front of her.

The feeling of something so near yet only being able to view it from afar overwhelmed her.

She wanted the Peace Lock but couldn’t let Elias’s mother see her in such a state getting out of his car.

She couldn’t bear the consequences.

Without hesitation, Annelise stepped out, the night pitch-black, especially with the pouring rain.

On this winding road, even spotting a car, let alone a person, would be impossible.

But Annelise didn’t look back, rushing into the rain, her once warm dress soaked again, struggling to hold her collar against the elements.

In front of the old mansion on the hillside, Elias’s car remained parked.

The car’s lights flickered for a long time, until the mirror no longer showed any sign of her.

Elias withdrew his hand from the window, lowering his gaze, shadows concealing the damp redness at the corner of his eyes, "Turn around."

Uncle Ford felt uneasy, not understanding why the young master and Miss Annelise ended up in such a situation, "But young master, we’re already at the doorstep."

The mansion gates had already opened.

The black limousine, however, turned swiftly like a panther in the rainy night, roaring as it sped down the mountain.

It took half an hour before Annelise arrived in a small run at the bus stop downhill.

She wanted to hail a cab, but this was a wealthy area, and taxis were infrequent, especially in the rain.

As luck would have it, Sylvie called her at that moment.

Sylvie probably heard the rain on her side, "Annelise, are you outside? Why is it so loud with rain?"

Annelise tried to calm her voice from the earlier emotions, "Oh, I just went to the convenience store nearby to get something, I’ll be back soon."

"Are you sure you’re okay? Your voice sounds odd."

"Nothing’s wrong. What’s up, Sylvie, calling me so late?" Annelise looked up, forcing back her tears.

"Would you come with me to a fashion event tomorrow? My boyfriend will be there too, I can introduce you then?"

Even though Annelise wanted to return Sylvie’s purse quickly, a fashion event wasn’t suitable for who she was now.

Going would just make her feel out of place and more embarrassed.

"Tomorrow doesn’t work, maybe next time? I have work to do and can’t really take leave."

"Okay. But next time, you can’t refuse."

"Alright, enjoy yourself tomorrow. The convenience store is closing, I need to head back."

She quickly hung up the phone, luckily managing to catch a ride during the call.

Clutching her purse, she returned to her apartment building, first depositing money at the ATM before heading inside.

This was an apartment building provided by The Airline for single employees.

Close to The Airline headquarters, it was in a somewhat remote location, which made the monthly rent quite affordable.

Annelise lived in a one-bedroom, one-living room apartment, forty square meters in size.

Though small, it was enough for her alone.

Numb with cold, she rushed into the bathroom, turning on the shower.

It wasn’t until the hot water drenched her that she finally felt some sensation returning.

The next day, she was awakened by the doorbell.

Her throat burned, her body felt unbearably heavy, she instinctively knew she might have a fever.

In this state, how could she travel to Meridia to see her daughter?

Luna was already frail; she needed a sterile environment before surgery. Annelise had to recover quickly before her overseas trip.

Wobbling slightly, she put on a shawl and got up to answer the door.

Uncle Ford, cold-faced, handed over a suit bag, "These are the clothes you soiled last night, please clean them up. I’ll come back to retrieve them in a few days."

Annelise accepted it.

Uncle Ford then handed over a few business cards, "These are some patrons I’ve found for you. The young master says he’ll give you at most another week to come up with six million, please don’t delay any longer."

Before Annelise could refuse, Uncle Ford turned and left via the elevator.

Annelise never expected that even with a six-million debt, she’d still have to clean his clothes.

Utterly ruthless.

She wouldn’t contact those patrons, as for the suit.

Opening the bag, she found a meticulously tailored suit, with a notch lapel, a pair of trousers, crisp and long, and a white shirt with faint water stains—left from their contact last night.

Annelise sat there quietly holding the suit for a moment, unable to resist bringing it to her nose.

A faint clean, crisp scent, belonging to him, with a subtle cedar aroma, seemingly enveloped tightly around him.