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44. The Awkward Silence
publish date:
2026-07-04 00:03:24
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Don’t Beg for Love 49. Saved Her
Silence descended.Everyone stared at each other, including Grandpa who appeared lost at what to say.Then Mom chipped in. “Annalise is full of surprises. Ever since she came back to us, great things keep happening.”But the memories were crystal clear.The night they found me ten years ago… at the hospital.Those devastating days they kept me locked up in the mansion.The memories flooded back with a wave of heavy emotions that had me instinctively dropping my spoon.I pushed my chair back and stood up.“Annalise.”“Anna.”“Come back here!”I didn't turn around.Didn't let their words stop me.I was almost out of the garden area, far from the noise and the dark memories when three people appeared in front of me.The security man at the gates, Aiden, and an old woman.They were heading in the direction of the garden.I stopped walking.“Young Miss.” The security man strode forward and explained, “This young man and old lady are here to meet you. They claim to be close with you, and th
Don’t Beg for Love 48. Anna’s Story
“Besides, there's really nothing going on between Cassandra and me…” He went on. “Cassie was very young when we first met. She was struggling and had no one to help her. She's like a little sister to me.”Then he sighed, holding my hands tighter when I struggled to break free. “I admit we fell in love, but every romantic relationship between Cassie and me ended the day you and I got married. I only had to step in and help her sometimes because she has nobody.”Every romantic relationship…I shook my head, forcefully extricating my hands from his. “Mr. Harrison, if you don't let go, I will sue you for harassment.”A momentary shock flashed in his eyes.Followed by a confused look. “Annalise, why are you being stubborn?”I snatched my hands and grabbed my phone.But before I dialed the security, Aiden rose to his feet, his face twisting from shock to devastation. “If that's your wish, I’ll leave you for now. But I won't give up Anna. I won't give up until the day you finally agree to gi
Don’t Beg for Love 47. Another Chance
“One month, Ms. Sterling!?”When we returned to my office, Linda finally spoke as if she'd been holding in the exclamation.Quickly composing herself, she dropped a document folder in front of me, her fingers slightly shaking. “I’m sorry, Ms. Sterling. It isn't that I don't believe in you. But one month— even small businesses don't become successful within one month. And most companies that ever managed to expand globally took decades to achieve that.”I quirked a brow. “Well, you said you believed in me, but your words…”“I didn't mean it that way.” She sighed. “All I wanted to say is you can't allow the board of directors’ criticism to get through to you. Taking up this heavy task is risky and dangerous.”A soft laughter escaped me.I shook my head then opened the document folder.“This…?”“It is the information you asked me to gather before you traveled to Geneva,” Linda explained. “About the conflict between the HR Manager and the Finance Department Manager.”She went on as I fli
Don’t Beg for Love 46. The Global Expansion
At Sterling Empire.With several calls from Linda, I went straight to the airport after Aurelia’s birthday party.And the moment the plane landed, I headed to the company.“Welcome back, Ms. Sterling!”“Trust you had a great time at the forum!”While I walked to the conference room, the employees greeted concurrently.Their whispers as well didn't miss my ears.“Hey, I heard something happened with Ms. Sterling during the global economic forum.”“Is it about Mason Reed or Andrew Hale?”“Shush! She can hear us.” “Ms. Sterling!” Linda hurried up to me, her eyes wide with both relief and anxiousness. “The board of directors is waiting. Everyone is here.”I nodded, then followed her inside.The meeting room appeared so lively that no one noticed me when we stepped in.“I honestly don't have any faith in her.” “Everyone knows the Hale Group’s influence. In my opinion, holding this meeting is pointless because this company’s fate has already been decided.”“Exactly. How can we leave our f
Don’t Beg for Love 45. First Impressions
“Tsk! You’re right, Mira. You’re in big trouble.” Aurelia clicked her tongue then continued walking.Obviously more disturbed, Miranda followed us. “So it’s true.” She shuddered. “It’s no wonder rumors kept spreading in school that Andrew was from an influential family. Turned out his Dad was really the founder of HQ Academy.”“Oh, Annie.” She turned to me, changing the topic. “Something terrible must have happened to make you guys break up. You were a legendary couple, so what exactly happened? Do I even need to guess?”Sighing deeply, she went on. “Andrew Hale turned out to come from a powerful family, while you’re just a poor orphan with no background—““Pardon?” Aurelia stopped walking, obviously intrigued by Miranda’s words. Folding her hands, her brows shot up. “Annalise Sterling… an orphan?”“Of course!” Miranda frowned. “I’m not crazy, Aurelia. Annie and I were classmates. Only one seat separated us. You can ask her.”Shaking her head, Aurelia chuckled.She no longer addresse
Don’t Beg for Love 44. The Awkward Silence
She dropped the menu list in her hands, eyes widening with both shock and excitement.Her exclamation grabbed every attention in the room, and all eyes turned in our direction.“No way!” She shot forward. “Annie! I almost didn't recognize you! I thought you were someone else!”She grabbed my hand,But her gaze was still on the man who had just entered the restaurant. He stood so close behind me that others might assume we'd arrived together.Andrew.Great! Just great!“You guys! You guys! I knew it! I knew you would end up together!” The overexcited lady frantically glanced between Andrew and me, her voice getting louder. “So tell me! How many children do you have now!?”Silence.Immediate silence.A suffocating air of awkwardness hung in the atmosphere, and everyone else inside the room began staring at each other in shock.“Let me guess! Two! Three? It has been ten years, you've got to have more than one kid!”Blissfully unaware of the chaos she'd just dropped, the familiar-look
Don’t Beg for Love 8. The Summit
A few hours later.The chaos of the day had finally died down. Inside the CEO’s office, I stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, my eyes fixed on the bustling city below as I let the silence sink in.Time drifted by…Then my phone rang, a strange number displayed on the screen.I waited until it ra
Don’t Beg for Love 15. Thirty-One Husbands
Love.Hearing him say it now sounded even more ridiculous.“Anna, look at me!” Tania grabbed my shoulders, giving me a stern look. “Don’t believe what he’s saying! The scumbag definitely cares that you’re now rich! Please don’t let his words fool you.”Tania’s worry was justified.In the past, I wo
Don’t Beg for Love 14. Ten Years Ago
My fingers trembled. Just once. Barely noticeable.Yet it felt as though all the warmth had drained from my body.The man stood motionless.His expression was calm… too calm. Not surprise.Not annoyance.Not even curiosity.Just those dark eyes resting on me with a detached indifference.Then a fa
Don’t Beg for Love 12. The Envelope
I returned to my office, Helen’s screams fading in the distance.Sitting down, I slightly rubbed my forehead.“Ms. Sterling.” Linda soon joined me, and the hesitant look in her eyes was enough sign that she had more news.“What’s the matter?”“Actually, another visitor came earlier.” She brought an
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