Chapter 553


    Annie stared intently at Steven. She tried to find any trace of love in Steven’s eyes. But Steven


    avoided her gaze.


    “Fine, I admit I approached you with a purpose initially. My family fell into trouble because of me,


    and I had to find a way to solve it. Otherwise, my parents would be too ashamed to face the rest of


    the Silver family.


    “With no other options, I had to ce all my hopes on you. At first, I thought it was just using you,


    and I didn’t feel guilty. But now I realize that I really do like you. Steven, I’m falling for you.”


    Her words were heartfelt. Any other man might have softened, but Steven remained unmoved. His


    expression was stern.


    Panic surged within Annie as she continued, “Steven, please believe me this time. I won’t ask for


    your help with my Silver family anymore. I just want you to think about our rtionship.


    “Ending it like this would be a regret for both of us. I can swear I’ll never lie to you again. I’ll be frank


    with you.”


    She had never felt so humbled before. When she had pleaded with Joe to spare her Silver family, it


    had been out of fear. She naturally lowered her stance, hoping the Silver family


    wouldn’t suffer.


    However, her panic now was entirely different. She was terrified of losing Steven, who,


    unbeknownst to her, she had genuinely fallen for.


    “Annie, there’s no need for this,” Steven said. He walked to the door and opened it.


    Tears streamed down Annie’s face as she looked at him. She was stunned. “Are you really that


    disappointed in me? Steven, do you really not care about me anymore?”


    Steven’s eyes flickered slightly. “Time will heal everything. Go back and face what you need to with


    your family. Even if what you said this afternoon was true, I don’t have the power to change Joe’s


    decision. You sought help from the wrong person from the start.”


    “You promised me this afternoon. You said we would face it together and you would find a way to


    help me. You seemed confident that you could get Skr to talk to Joe,” Annie said. She stared


    intently at Steven, seeking an answer.


    “No, what I promised was to face everything together with you. Regardless of what happens to your


    family, I wouldn’t abandon you like others might. If you’ve made mistakes, you need to face the


    consequences of your actions,” Steven dered firmly.


    Annie felt a deep sense of loss. She gave a self–deprecating smirk. She knew there was nothing


    she could say to change Steven’s mind


    212


    Her footsteps were even heavier than when she arrived. She walked outside one step at a


    time.


    An hourter, Annie returned home. Sabrina and Grayson were surprised to see her. “You didn’t


    stay at his ce?”


    “What did he say? Didn’t he ask Skr to intercede on our behalf? Didn’t you say he was a young


    talent with unlimited potential? Can’t he even handle something as simple as asking for a favor for


    his sister?”


    Seeing Annie’s distraught expression, Sabrina’s suspicions were confirmed. Immediately, she


    began to scold.


    Annie sat down. Her voice was weak as she said, “Get ready. Our family is done for. Steven and I


    have broken up.”


    “What?”


    It was three dayster.


    Skr had just finished breakfast and was prepared to leave for work.


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    As she stepped out, she nced at Joe’s slippers by the door. They showed no sign of having been


    moved.