9 Anna, I Want to Take Responsibility

The man standing before her was tall and well built. She had verified it personally that night. Not only did he have an excellent physique, his stamina was nothing to scoff at either.

With a face handsome enough to rival celebrities, he would draw attention even just as a boyfriend, let alone a husband.

Unfortunately, he was not from the Caldwell family.

Lucas uncle had to be at least forty, right?

She had heard Lucas mention that uncle before. Eccentric temperament, disinterested in women, a lifelong bachelor, an old fashioned fossil.

That was why Anna never connected this man with the Caldwell family uncle.

“I am sorry. We are not suitable. What I said that night was just drunken nonsense. You would not take a drunk woman seriously, would you? Lastly, thank you for the painkillers.”

Anna was beautiful. Since childhood, she had never lacked admirers.

Rejecting men cleanly and efficiently was something she excelled at.

She lifted her leg, about to leave, when someone suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms.

His strong arm locked around her slender waist. The terminal was already empty of passengers, yet Anna face flushed red with embarrassment.

“What are you doing? Let go.”

Lorenzo lowered his voice by her ear.

“That night, how compatible we were. You know it clearly, do you not?”

The intimate, husky tone made Anna both angry and flustered.

“What exactly do you want?”

His lips moved closer.

“Anna, I want to take responsibility for you.”

Anna stomped hard on his polished leather shoe.

Lorenzo released her. Her fair face, neck, and even the tips of her ears were stained crimson.

“You disgusting rogue. In your dreams. There are countless men who want to marry me. Who do you think you are? I would rather jump off a plane than marry you. Give up already.”

From behind her came his low, cold voice.

“I am not someone you can summon and dismiss at will.”

She hurried away in her heels, not daring to look back even once.

Only after leaving the airport and stepping onto the long missed homeland did her emotions slowly calm.

Her assistant jogged after her, dragging the suitcase.

“You are wearing high heels and still walking this fast. Is there a ghost chasing you?”

“Yes. A very dangerous ghost.”

One that was watching her intently.

The assistant did not understand and wanted to ask more, but Anna was already seated in the Whitmore family car waiting for her.

She watched the drifting clouds outside the window. From the day she returned to the Whitmore family, the real war had begun.

Her trip to Miami was known only to herself and the old master. No one else in the Whitmore family knew.

They all believed Anna had just returned from overseas.

The car arrived at the Whitmore family estate. After so many years away, the villa had been completely renovated inside and out.

Upon passing through the iron gates, a large fountain came into view.

The surrounding gardens and even the architecture had all changed.

Looking at this unfamiliar place, there was not a trace of the past left.

A new servant looked at her curiously.

“Miss, who are you looking for?”

The old butler hurried over, glaring fiercely at the servant.

“You blind fool. Get lost.”

In this unfamiliar place, seeing a familiar face at last, his eyes grew moist as he called out warmly and respectfully.

“Anna, you are finally back.”

Anna stood beneath a cherry blossom tree. This was where her mother had fallen.

How cruel.

Her mother had hated cherry blossom trees the most.

Yet one was planted right where she died.

Her voice came out in a mournful whisper.

“Yes. I am back.”

The butler led her into the living room. The house had changed so much she could no longer recognize it.

By the grand spiral staircase stood a woman. The moment Anna saw her, her fingers clenched tightly around her dress.

It was her. Brenda.

Once her mother closest friend, who had secretly seduced her father Cameron behind her back.

Her mother always believed Brenda had met the wrong man and been deceived, giving birth to a pair of twins. Feeling sorry for her raising children alone, she often helped and supported her.

She never knew that her good friend children were actually her husband.

The two of them had grown bolder over time, even sleeping together in the master bedroom.

Her mother returned unexpectedly, saw everything, and in that instant of devastation, jumped from the rooftop.

After her mother death, that scumbag father naturally brought Brenda and her family into the house.

No one remembered the kind woman who died. Her death did not awaken Cameron conscience. Instead, it cleared the way for Brenda to take her place and become the true Mrs. Whitmore.

She was speaking upstairs.

“It is getting late. Lily, hurry up. Do not keep the Caldwell family waiting.”

Brenda turned around and saw Anna standing in the living room.

Her expression stiffened for a split second before she quickly put on a fake smile.

“Anna is back.”

Anna had seen through her tricks long ago. In front of her father, she acted gentle and virtuous. Behind his back, she targeted Anna at every turn.

Before Anna could even cry, Brenda would cry first to that scumbag father, talking about how hard it was to be a stepmother and how difficult Anna was to manage.

In the end, the farce ended with Anna being sent abroad.

During those years overseas, Anna understood one thing clearly. She could rely on no one in the Whitmore family. She could only rely on herself.

She was no longer the girl who showed everything on her face.

Suppressing the disgust in her eyes, Anna greeted politely.

“Brenda.”

Brenda paused. She had thought Anna was still as foolish as before, calling her a murderer or a fox spirit to provoke Cameron.

But even if she had learned to behave, what difference did it make?

The Whitmore family was already in her hands. Anna would not get a single cent.

“Let me take a look at you. Anna has grown taller and more beautiful.”

She hurried down the stairs, warmly holding Anna hand like a loving mother.

This scene happened to fall into Cameron eyes as he came downstairs. Adjusting his cufflinks, he glanced at Anna.

“You are back. Good timing. Your sister is meeting Lucas from the Caldwell family tonight. Go help her take a look.”

His tone was neither warm nor cold. It could hardly be called affectionate.

Perhaps if she had not returned, he would have forgotten he even had this daughter.

Anna suppressed the ache in her heart and did not question why the marriage alliance candidate was Lily and not herself.

She replied obediently.

“Alright. I will go change first.”

Cameron expression changed.

“Anna, the house was renovated while you were abroad. Your old room is Lily now.”

Anna grip on her suitcase tightened.

“I will use another room.”

On the second floor, Lily had merged her original three rooms into one. What remained were the bedroom of Lawrence, the son Brenda gave birth to.

The third floor held the master bedroom, the music room, the study, the art studio, and the tea room.

The fourth floor contained Lawrence gym, game room, and entertainment room.

Such a massive villa, yet there was no place left for Anna.

“Anna, look at me. You were overseas at the time and I was busy. I forgot about it. How about you stay in the servant room for now? I will have the guest room prepared.”

Anna fingers tightened again.

“No need. I will take the attic. It is quiet.”

She did not argue or complain. Instead, Cameron felt a hint of guilt.

“That works. Make do for tonight. We will figure something out later. Go change. We are leaving soon.”

“Okay.”

Anna went up to the attic. The air conditioning had not been turned on. The space was stuffy and poorly ventilated.

She calmly unpacked her clothes without a single complaint.

Lily appeared at the doorway.

“You are finally back. But how can you stay in the attic? I can talk to Mom. Let you stay in the guest room.”

Ignoring her provocation, Anna smiled faintly.

“I am the homeowner. Staying in a guest room would be inappropriate.”

Lily sized her up.

“You have changed so much after all these years. I heard dogs raised abroad are very obedient. I did not expect people to become obedient too.”

She twirled her curled hair, eyes full of mockery.

“Can you still not see the situation clearly? This Whitmore family is no longer your home.”