Chapter 559

Annabelle said, “Mr. Hughes, I’m truly sorry. I tried to explain to Mrs. Hughes that I have no relationship with you. I didn’t expect her to misunderstand. It’s my fault.”

As the call connected, she tried to justify herself. Thankfully, she was alone in the car. Her hand trembled uncontrollably as she held the phone.

Jeremy stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Hughes Group building. He gazed outside, his eyes devoid of emotion; only a chilling coldness emanated from him.

“Annabelle, you’re asking for trouble,” he said.

“Mr. Hughes! I genuinely tried to help. I was just passing by and saw a movie being filmed. I saw Mrs. Hughes and thought I should explain,” Annabelle stammered, frantically trying to defend herself.

Jeremy exhaled a puff of smoke. “Leave Jipsburg immediately,” he said.

“I…”

“Did you think I haven’t investigated you? If you continue to manipulate things, your stepfather will be here tomorrow to deal with you.” Jeremy’s voice was cold and final.

Annabelle’s face went pale. The seemingly ordinary words shocked her.

“You… You investigated me?” she stammered, realizing he knew about her past. The mention of Mason revealed his awareness of her cosmetic surgery and the abuse she had suffered.

“You only have tonight,” Jeremy said coldly.

Annabelle was on the brink of collapse. “I’ve been with you for so long. Isn’t it too heartless to be this cruel? If you’ve investigated my past, you should know I’m the victim. I’ve been mistreated. That doesn’t change your feelings for me, Mr. Hughes. Why are you so indifferent and biased? You’re indifferent to me, yet you greatly favor Mrs. Hughes. She’s already planning to divorce you. Why do you still favor her so much? I don’t understand.”

After all her efforts, it felt like a complete waste. She couldn’t accept it. What she struggled to achieve, Natalie seemed to obtain effortlessly. Annabelle had done everything she could to please him, yet was met only with cold rejection.

Chapter 559 2/2

She couldn’t understand or accept it and refused to give up.

“You’re not worthy compared to Natalie,” Jeremy said coldly before hanging up.

He turned to Tristan. “Keep an eye on Annabelle. Make sure she leaves Jipsburg before tomorrow morning. Go to her home now and collect anything related to scents and that painting on the wall.”

After several days of reflection, the memory of a peculiar scent in the hotel kept invading his mind. The scent had briefly made him lose control. When he first became involved with Annabelle, her allure had drawn him in; however, he suspected she might have used drugs or substances to manipulate his emotions.

Once Tristan left, Jeremy returned to his desk and opened a drawer filled with keys. He selected one—a spare key Natalie had left with him—to her apartment. Since Natalie was avoiding him, he decided to see her. Their issues needed resolution, and he was determined she would be his wife.

Skylar went to the traditional dress shop at the address Paul had sent. Inside, she found only one shop assistant, Ralph Marrow, and a grandfatherly figure in his sixties, Terence Jimenez.

“Are you the young lady Mr. Ziegler mentioned?” Terence asked with a warm smile.