Chapter 471


    Annabelle finally escaped that suffocating home when she went to college. She’d shed her past like


    worn–out skin, undergoing stic surgery and changing her name. Every tie to her disgraceful


    history. was severed. She would never let anyone know about her disgraceful


    history.


    Annabelle exhaled deeply, pushing those memories aside. A dull ache pulsed in her lower


    abdomen, and a sheen of sweat formed on her forehead. The urgency sent her rushing to a nearby


    hospital.


    After a thorough examination, the doctor sternly advised her to avoid any more intense sexual


    intercourse. Annabelle felt fear wash over her at the doctor’s warning. She hadn’t realized the


    consequences


    could be so severe.


    One more round of such intense sexual intercourse, and she could risk losing the baby she was


    carrying.


    She needed this child to secure her status and marry into the Hughes. family, so she had to protect


    it at all costs.


    Sitting in her car, Annabelle suddenly remembered something. She found a photo of Jeremy that


    she had secretly captured at the hot spring resort.


    Jeremy had strictly forbidden her from taking pictures when they were together. This was likely to


    prevent any evidence of their rtionship from reaching Natalie.


    He didn’t want any evidence of them together.


    She, however, had a weapon now. Not only did she have the photo, but also their chat records,


    which Jeremy might have deleted. These would be her tools against Natalie.


    “Baby, I won’t let you wait much longer,” she whispered. “Your father will give us both the status we


    deserve.


    “I will soon deal with the person who’s been hindering us, and your daddy will only love us. I told


    you, the troublemaker is nothing


    “He can’t resist loving me. He just hasn’t realized it yet. Sometimes, habits are very powerful. He


    just thinks he loves Natalie.”


    After saying these words, Annabelle exhaled deeply. As the anger


    dissipated, she felt a sense of satisfaction. Then, she sent the photo


    to Natalie.


    Natalie was at a photoshoot studio, apanying Austin for an


    advertisement shoot. Soft music yed in the car.


    She hadn’t slept well the previous night, and as the car drove steadily,


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    she began to feel drowsy.


    As soon as Natalie closed her eyes, Austin nced over at her. A


    secret gnawed at his conscience since he discovered she was Jeremy’s wife. He recalled


    encountering Jeremy at a Yley City hotel,


    intimately embracing another woman. While he hadn’t paid much


    attention then, it was clear it wasn’t Natalie.


    They were intimate, embracing and kissing passionately before disappearing into the elevator.


    Austin, ever the gentleman, gave them


    privacy and enteredter.


    Despite the evidence, Austin knew Jeremy cared for Natalie. But


    based on her reaction to the movie plot, it was clear she couldn’t


    tolerate betrayal. How would she react to the truth?


    A cough from Hank startled Austin out of his thoughts. Hank’s pointed look silenced the unspoken


    question.


    Hank whispered, “I told you that you had malicious intentions for her. Why don’t you admit it? Can


    you admit it now? If not, just let her go.


    “After all, she has a husband. If any scandal breaks out, you’ll be


    finished. Do you understand?”


    For ten years, Hank had prided himself on managing Austin’s career without a hitch. But recently,


    his intuition had been warning him that their well–behaved celebrity might be on the verge of


    rebellion.