CHAPTER 9: CHAPTER 9: ARE YOU REALLY DESPICABLE ENOUGH TO STEAL YOUR SISTER’S MAN?

"Mom." Ann Vaughn lifted her pale face, her heart immediately feeling as if it had been plunged into cold water, "What if I also like Cyrus Hawthorne..."

Smack—

Before she could finish speaking, Jade Shepherd had already raised her hand and slapped Ann hard across the face, angrily cursing.

"You little brat, have all my teachings gone to the dogs? I told you not to take your sister’s things, to give way to your sister, and yet you still have the nerve to take your sister’s man?!"

That slap was so forceful that Ann even heard a ringing in her ear, and the taste of iron filled her mouth.

Ann pressed her lips tightly, forcing the tears in her eyes back, then finally smoothed the strands of hair at her cheek, a fresh red handprint burning on her cheek.

"I’m not here to argue with you today. I want to borrow some money; I can write an IOU."

"No money, all the family’s money has been used for Cynthia’s treatments. Where would we have any extra? I won’t tell anyone about your feelings for Young Master Hawthorne, but you’d better bury this deep in your heart, don’t even think about competing with Cynthia, you hear?"

Saying this, Jade Shepherd raised her hand again, her face full of warning.

Ann’s nose tingled with bitterness, she held back and held back, and seeing that Jade really had no intention of lending her money, she stood up and left.

"The eldest miss is really pitiful, yesterday the madam bought a heap of clothes and jewelry for the second miss, just one bag cost more than three million, but they don’t treat the eldest miss so well..."

"Shh, keep your voice down, do you want to keep working here or not?"

The servants, having secretly listened to the conversation in the living room, began to whisper with sighs.

Ann’s steps faltered, the corners of her lips pulling awkwardly, which hurt her cheek, and then she walked slowly out of the Vaughn Family home.

The Vaughn Family had practiced medicine for generations, a tradition handed down from imperial physicians, but her father, who disparaged traditional Chinese medicine, turned to advocate for the development of the Western medicine industry, abandoning the family’s Chinese medicine legacy.

Though they weren’t exceptionally wealthy now, a mere three million was just pocket change to them.

Bringing herself back to the present, Ann was grateful for the portable ointment she had prepared herself, she took out a bottle and gently applied it to her swollen cheek, letting out a hiss.

It really hurt.

Tossing away the cotton swab, Ann took a taxi to the small clinic.

Lingering around the small clinic until nightfall, Ann was reluctant to leave, crouched in the alley, gazing with longing at the signboard with her grandfather’s calligraphy.

The things her grandfather left her, she might not have the power to reclaim.

Suddenly, from the depths of the alley came the hurried, chaotic sound of footsteps, mingled with heavy breaths that drew ever closer to Ann.

Immersed in her thoughts, Ann didn’t notice, and in an instant, the sound was beside her!

A force suddenly yanked Ann from the ground, and before she could react, the man in front pulled her into his embrace.

His burning jaw rested at the crook of Ann’s shoulder, leaning entirely on her, a faint scent of blood surrounding her.

"Help me, I can give you anything."

The man’s voice was low and deep, with breathy whispers falling on Ann’s shoulder, sending a slight fear from deep within.

This person was probably no good.

Ann’s body trembled, she extended her hand to push him away, but he held her tight, making it almost impossible to breathe.

Just then, more footsteps approached the mouth of the alley, coupled with chaotic shouts: "Do you know the consequences of letting him go? You bunch of idiots!"

"If you can’t find him, I’ll have you all shot!"

Hearing these words, and linking them with the man pressing on her, Ann’s face instantly changed color, struggling vehemently several times, yet she was still unable to break free from this seemingly weak man.

The footsteps were heading into the alley, Ann’s heart beat like a drum, waves of panic overcame her, would she be mistaken as an accomplice?