CHAPTER 143: CHAPTER 143: LEAVING THE COUNTRY, NEVER COMING BACK

Uncle Zane glanced at Annelise and left as well.

Annelise only realized now that there was not a single chair outside the room, meaning she had been standing there waiting the whole time.

Was Renee Perry trying to put her in her place?

Meanwhile, inside the room

Renee Perry was chatting with Sylvia Lowell.

"Sylvie, you’re my favorite daughter-in-law, so you must choose the dress carefully!"

"Yes, Ms. Perry!"

"Why are you still calling me Aunt? You and Elias have already had your engagement party!"

Renee mentioning the engagement party was one thing, but when she did, Sylvia Lowell’s expression changed.

Last time at the engagement party, Elias Warner left before any guests arrived, embarrassing the Lowell Family greatly. Fortunately, Renee Perry was able to salvage their dignity.

And now she dared to bring it up again?

The atmosphere turned awkward.

Renee also realized she had misspoken and quickly shifted the topic.

"Oh dear, I almost forgot, Annelise is here. I forgot to invite her in, she must be anxious waiting outside."

Only then did Renee call Uncle Zane to bring Annelise inside.

Annelise was called inside by Uncle Zane.

Upon raising her eyes, she saw Sylvia Lowell.

It turned out that the esteemed guest Uncle Zane mentioned Renee was hosting was Sylvia Lowell.

Ha.

"Ms. Perry, I’m not sure why you urgently summoned me here, what’s going on?"

"Oh, I asked you to come to help Sylvie choose a dress. After all, Sylvie will be your sister-in-law, and you two will be good friends in the future. It’s perfect for you to help with the choice."

Renee narrowed her eyes, focusing on Annelise’s expression.

Annelise scoffed internally.

Was she being tested?

Ever since she found out about Elias Warner and Sylvia Lowell being together, she had made a firm decision to leave Kybourne and never see Elias Warner again in this lifetime.

Helping Sylvia Lowell choose a dress, what did it matter?

"Ms. Perry, surely you’re joking. As my brother’s sister, I wouldn’t presume to give suggestions. She needs to be happy with it, not me!"

She had yet to figure out what Renee was truly planning.

Did she call her over just to give opinions on Sylvia Lowell’s dress?

If she remembered correctly, Sylvia Lowell already had a dress designed by a master designer.

"I forgot to tell you, Elias is going to redo the engagement party with Sylvie next month, so this time, the dress needs to be chosen anew. Also, you should pick a bridesmaid’s dress for their wedding on that day."

"Aunt, Annelise and I are best friends, the dress she chooses I naturally like."

"That’s perfect, you and Annelise are good friends, which will make future interactions easier."

Renee and Sylvia Lowell began conversing.

Annelise stood by, almost unnoticed.

"Sylvie, welcome to our Warner Family. By the way, where’s Elias? You came back so late with him last night, yet you got up early, where did that rascal go?"

Renee squinted her eyes, holding Sylvia Lowell’s hand affectionately.

Annelise watched all this.

Years ago, Renee used to be just like this towards her, treating her like her own daughter whenever she visited the Warners, always holding her hand and exchanging pleasantries.

But once she learned Annelise was not truly a Winter daughter, everything changed.

She wondered how a person could change so drastically.

That’s when she realized sometimes people’s disguises can be terrifying.

"Aunt, I... Elias stayed up too late last night, so... I let him sleep a bit longer, please don’t blame him!"

Sylvia Lowell intertwined her fingers, her face blushing with evident shyness.

They must have been intimately close last night.

Otherwise, why would Elias Warner be waking up so late?

It felt like Annelise’s heart was stabbed, raw with pain.

Every second felt like enduring a thousand cuts.

"Sylvie, go and call Elias down! Still sleeping, it’s too outrageous!"

Renee raised her eyebrows.

"Yes, I’ll be right on it!"

Sylvia Lowell headed upstairs.

As Annelise watched Sylvia Lowell leave, her heart ached even more.

Her mind drifted back to six years ago.

Then, she was still the cherished Winter family’s daughter. June Winter hadn’t yet appeared in her life.

She and Elias Warner were the couple everyone envied.

That summer, on her birthday.

Elias Warner gave her a pair of couple rings.

Saying he’d be with her forever.

That night, it was their first time.

In the old mansion’s second-floor room.

At that moment, Elias Warner’s audacity surprised her.

Neither Elias Warner nor she had any experience, yet in their mutual exploring, they shared an unforgettable first.

Now, Elias Warner was in the same room, sharing happiness with Sylvia Lowell.

She stumbled back a few steps, almost losing balance.

But logic forcibly pulled her back.

Renee laughed.

Even though Annelise was intensely controlling her emotions, Renee’s keen observation noticed.

She seemed to taunt: "See this? Sylvie and Elias are already living together. Do you still think Elias holds you in his heart? I’d advise you to acknowledge reality, don’t covet what’s beyond reach."

"No need to lie to me, the promise from last time, I expect you to fulfill swiftly. Get out of Kybourne, go abroad, and never return!"

Annelise’s mind echoed with thoughts of Sylvia Lowell bragging about Elias Warner’s prowess in bed.

And every time she returned from seeing Elias Warner, with swollen lips.

Back then, she mocked Sylvia Lowell’s boyfriend as a wolf rather than a man.

Now it seemed, it was indeed laughable.

Annelise smirked.

"Next month, Elias and Sylvie will have their engagement party again. Make sure you behave well at the party, don’t let anything go awry, or else, don’t blame me for being ruthless! Don’t think that old lady from the Lockwood Family backing you allows you to oppose me! Simply dreaming!"

Renee scoffed.

"Also, remember your promise, once you are abroad, don’t let Elias know. If I find out Elias knows you went abroad, you’ll face consequences!"

Right now, Annelise’s head buzzed, paying no mind to Renee’s words.

"Alright, leave now, don’t disturb our family dinner. Later, when Elias comes down, we’ll go to the hall to eat, do you plan on joining?"

Renee glanced at Annelise, seemingly warning her to remember her place.

"Ms. Perry, then I won’t disturb you, goodbye!"

Annelise exited the mansion’s hall.

She didn’t want to stay any longer, or else she’d be suffocated by memories of Elias Warner and their past.

Her head down, she walked quickly.

With a "bang," she collided with someone.

Raising her eyes again, she was utterly shocked inside.