Chapter 44
However, after Hannah’s years of struggling and working her way up to become a celebrity, Leon had come to her. He’d
repeatedly used Hannah’s grandparents, Sebastian Cole and Isla Montgomery, to threaten her, trying to extort money from her.
Anathea clearly remembered that Hannah had resolved this issue five years ago. She hadn’t expected the greedy Leon to cause
more trouble.
Besides, this incident had even made it onto the trending news. It was obvious that the situation had escalated significantly. She
couldn’t help but wonder how Hannah planned to handle it.
Anathea was deeply worried about Hannah’s situation. When she didn’t hear a response, she called out again in concern,
“Hannah?”
Just then, a strange sound suddenly came from the other end of the line. Anathea froze for a moment.
“Uh… don’t worry, I’m fine…” Hannah’s voice was broken and unsteady.
“What are you doing? Working out?” Anathea asked in confusion when she heard Hannah breathing so heavily.
However, the moment she faintly heard a low male voice in the background, she was startled, and her face began to turn red. She wasn’t inexperienced. So, of course, she knew exactly what Hannah was doing.
“Yes, I’m working out right now. I’ll call you back later,” Hannah replied before hanging up.
Anathea remained in the same position, holding her phone to her ear, feeling awkward. It seemed that asking Hannah for
financial help wasn’t the best option after all. She would have to find another way on her own.
Over on Hannah’s end, the hotel suite was in disarray, with clothes scattered across the floor. Hannah struggled to hold her
phone as a man behind her steadied himself with one arm and took the phone from her hand with the other.
His voice carried a teasing edge. “You still have the mind to take calls at a time like this?”
“It was my dear Thea. Of course, I had to pick up.” Hannah glared at him before urging impatiently, “Are you done yet?”
Dominic Lancaster let out a low chuckle, using her own words against her. “Didn’t you say you were working out? Since when did
your workout end so quickly?”
Hannah frowned, cursing at him, “Dominic Lancaster, you bastard!”
Dominic sneered coldly. “Then don’t come begging me. You want my help, yet you refuse to offer any compensation? Ms. Cole, do
you really think the world works that way?”
Hannah was momentarily at a loss for words. She simply bit her lip and remained silent.
Dominic tilted her chin up, intending to kiss her, but she stubbornly turned away. Her red lips curled into a cold smirk. “Mr.
Lancaster, kissing comes at an extra cost.”
1/2
Dominic’s gaze turned intense and predatory, like a hunter ready to consume his prey completely.
+15 Bonus
Anathea returned to the studio and saw everyone cheering with joy now that the issue had been resolved. A relieved smile
gradually appeared on her face as well. At the very least, the crisis was finally over.
“This is great! No more working overtime to make bouquets!”
“Yeah! Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. As soon as work is over, I can go on my date.”
“Ugh, get out of here with that lovey–dovey nonsense!” Evangeline said in mock disdain.
She walked up to Anathea and studied her slightly weary expression before asking, “You don’t look too great. Do you want me to give you the day off tomorrow to rest?”
“No need, I’m fine.” Anathea shook her head, declining the offer.
She needed to finish the custom floral arrangement project as soon as possible to secure more funds. Thus, when she got home, she worked late into the night, revising the design once again.
Just as she was engrossed in her work, Xander, rubbing his sleepy eyes and dragging a large rabbit plushie behind him, walked
over. “Mom, where’s Dad?”
Hearing this, Anathea recalled the scene she’d witnessed earlier, with Natalie leaning against Gregory’s shoulder. Without even looking up, she replied, “No idea.”
He was probably still at the hospital, keeping Natalle company.
Xander wasn’t entirely convinced by her answer. So, he took matters into his own hands and used his smartwatch to video call
Gregory.
The moment the call connected, he excitedly shouted, “Dad, where are you?”
Before Gregory could respond, Xander spotted Natalie sitting beside him. “Oh, you’re with Ms. Whitman! What are you two
doing?”
At the same time, Anathea’s phone lit up with a breaking news notification. “Sinclair Group’s CEO Sets Off Romantic Fireworks
for His Girlfriend on Valentine’s Night.”
