Chapter 129: A threat under disguise (Part – 1)
Lorie’s fake composure cracked. Her voice rose, tinged with panic. "How can you say that? We are family. You can’t just cut me off like that. I know I hurt you before, but I can change. I will change. Please, Anne, give me a chance."
Anne watched her keenly. Lorie’s words sounded sincere, but something felt off. Her sudden humility, the eagerness—it didn’t sit right. Anne was sure Lorie had something on her mind.
"I know you don’t trust me," Lorie pressed forward. "But I’ll prove I mean it. Let me buy you lunch. I am not asking for forgiveness—just one small step to make up for what I did."
But Anne didn’t drop her guard. Not even for a second. She didn’t believe a word of Lorie’s act—but something told her it was worth seeing how far this charade would go.
"Fine," Anne said coolly. "I’ll give you one chance. But if you try anything, don’t expect mercy."
Lorie’s face lit up, but behind that smile, something more dangerous gleamed. "Thank you, Anne. I promise—I won’t mess this up."
She pretended to be grateful, but the flicker in her eyes betrayed her. She thought she had baited the hook, and Anne had taken the bite. All she needed now was to get Anne to the hotel, and Robert would do the rest.
’You won’t walk away from this, Anne,’ she thought darkly.
They stepped out of the hospital room together. Behind them, in the quiet stillness of the room, Paul’s fingers twitched faintly before falling still again.
Lorie led Anne through the gleaming lobby of a luxury hotel. Anne glanced around, uneasy. The place was extravagant, far beyond what she’d expect for a simple apology lunch.
"Why here?" Anne asked as they walked down the hallway. "You could’ve picked any regular restaurant. This place is over the top."