All Chapters of Don’t Beg for Love : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

42 Chapters

31. The Rumor

The executives exchanged glances. Some coughed dramatically, and others shifted in discomfort.Andrew leaned back in his chair, holding my gaze, a faint smile curving his lips.“Ms. Sterling, do I need to be elaborate?”Silence.The others looked as though they'd rather be somewhere else, the rising tension palpable.Crossing my arms, I replied, “No. Just be specific.”“Aha!Ha!” Someone choked on his food.Another grabbed a glass of water and chugged it down.Someone else stood up, pretending to receive a call. One after another, the executives began disappearing from the room.Beside me, Mason chuckled. “Your food will turn cold, Anna. Eat up.”Only then did I break eye contact with the man sitting across from me.With the room almost empty now, the silence became louder, the tension still hanging in the air like a looming cloud.Andrew never answered my question.He never admitted to his criticism, downplaying my success.Bootlicker.I found myself laughing softly, the word echoing

32. The Grand Ball

Andrew Hale,Interested in me?A humorless laughter escaped my lips, and I sat on the couch.Aurelia sat beside me, her tone a mix of disbelief and excitement. “After all, nobody has ever dared to challenge him before. Those who tried ended up being kicked out of the business world or even disappeared completely.”“But here you are looking sound and healthy.” She grabbed my hands. “There has to be something special. One of the executives who ate together with Mason Reed during lunch even expressed his fear that you might have dug a hole for yourself. They said you directly challenged Andrew Hale during lunch too.”I remained silent as she spoke on. Not because the topic interested me. Not because I even wanted to be here.The last thing I wanted was people mentioning my name alongside that…. “Annalise!” Aurelia shook me slightly. “You might be Mason’s top student, and Mason Reed might be Andrew Hale’s uncle, but there are rumors that Andrew Hale doesn't spare even his family members.

33. We’re Not That Close

“Nice to meet you.” I shook his hand.Without letting go, Steve went on. “It’s surprising though. I never knew the Sterling family had a daughter until the rumors emerged. My grandfather and I used to visit in the past. We only knew about Xander. So, Annalise, did you go into hiding?”Then he leaned in, lowering his voice. “Or are the speculations true that the Sterling family hired a professional to save the company?”“You are beautiful, smart, and intelligent, Annalise.” He smiled. “I don't mind that our grandfathers are planning to arrange our marriage. But it’s only fair that I know everything about you.”Forcing a polite smile, I extracted my hand from his. He stood so close. Too close.His words weren't the only source of my discomfort, but also the proximity.“Mr. Whittaker—”“Call me Steve.”I was about to continue speaking when a cold shudder suddenly ran down my spine. As if something dangerous was watching me from behind.Instinctively, I turned,And our eyes met.Andrew

34. Facàde

The smile vanished from Cassandra’s face.Her fists clenched by her side, her lips parting, yet no words came out.“Ms. Coleman, you swore to me that you and Ms. Sterling have known each other for a long time and she does whatever you say.” Mr. Grey turned to her, frowning in displeasure. “I had to get you an extra ticket to this forum so she could link me with Mr. Reed. Is there a misunderstanding?”“Ha! No! Not really.” Cassandra retained a bright smile, but her expression was already pale. “Mr. Grey, that's not how things are.”“Well, that's how it seems.” The man stared at her pointedly. “I am highly disappointed. You wasted my money, and made me appear shameless!”“No, Mr. Grey—”“Mr. Reed, I apologize for this embarrassment.” Ignoring Cassandra, the man turned to Mason. “It is my fault for allowing myself to be fooled. My apologies, Ms. Sterling.”“Mr. Grey, wait!”The man walked away and Cassandra scurried after him, calling out his name and tripping when she neared the large d

35. Mr. Hale’s Order

Andrew’s eyes glinted with amusement. Tilting his head to the side, he raised a brow…That expression.“Strangers….” A low humorless laugh escaped him. “Annalise, do you hear yourself?”Ironic.A dry laughter stuck in my throat. I almost let it out.If not strangers, what were we?For the first time, the urge to ask that question surfaced.The question that had popped up on my mind the day I received that envelope from him and saw the words written on the letter inside it.[Welcome back, Annalise.]But,I was about to speak when the doors to the Emergency Room opened. I shot to my feet, hurrying forward to meet the doctor. “How’s he?”The doctor removed his glass and glanced from me to Andrew, who was already beside me.On his face was a disturbed look. “Mr. Reed was exposed to hydrogen sulfide gas.”I frowned.The rotten egg smell?“Most people would only find it unpleasant. Some might experience mild irritation. But his condition makes him far more vulnerable,” the doctor continued

36. Change

“It’s for your protection, Ma’am.”At first, when the bodyguard mentioned that name, I could only stare and blink.Then he added the last words…Protection.A soft laughter escaped me. I glanced from my left to right.Was I suddenly in a parallel universe?I turned and entered the hospital through the parking lot area.The ER was empty. Mason had been transferred to one of the VIP Wards.A nurse directed me there, and when I arrived, only Mason was inside the ward.Strange, but also relieving.I sat on the chair across from the bed, staring at the man who was obviously sleeping now. He was already out of critical condition, but the traces of exhaustion on his face were as if he'd been bedridden for a long time.The doctor was right. That gas had significantly affected him.“What are you doing here?”I was still in my thoughts when the bathroom door creaked open, then came the familiar voice.I paused, my hand hanging mid-air as I reached out to adjust Mason’s blanket.Lifting my head

37. Prime Suspect

A problem?Frowning in confusion, I glanced from my phone to the man on the bed.Then I pressed the dial button to call Aurelia. It didn’t ring. Her line was unreachable.In that instant, another text message dropped from her.[Seems like the security men are already in your suite. I have left the hotel due to some emergency. Nobody else is there to protect your things.]The security.My suite?Luckily, a nurse came in just in time to check on Mason.I left the hospital and arrived at the hotel to find most of the guests gathered in the lobby area.Their whispers were so loud that I almost stopped in my tracks, hearing what they said.“It is absurd though. Why would anyone want to harm Mason Reed?”“Are you asking why? Don’t you know?”“Know what?”“Rumor has it that Mr. Reed has a hidden treasure. Some say he knows a secret, that’s why some lunatic out there wants to silence him.”“But does it make sense that they must have joined hands with the closest people to him?”“Well, some

38. The Accusation

I blinked.Although, putting into account the whispers I'd heard in the hotel, I wasn't so surprised.“You need to follow us for questioning.” He handcuffed me. “Failure to comply will strengthen the proof that you're guilty.”Proof?What other proof did they have?But the Cop revealed no more information and took me straight to the Cops Department. There, I found out that some of the executives present at the grand ball were detained as well.The man took me to a separate questioning room. Throughout, I remained composed, because a heavier problem weighed on my mind right now...My sketchbook.“Ms. Sterling, please.” He held the door open, gesturing for me to enter.The questioning room had transparent glass walls that must be soundproof. I'd been deep in my thoughts, not realizing that other people were present,Until I heard the familiar voice and then lifted my head.“Ms. Coleman, are you sure you saw Ms. Sterling spray something at Mr. Reed’s face?” One Cop was questioning Cass

39. The False Witness

Andrew walked in, his appearance bringing an unsettling tension that hung in the air.On his face was a look of irritation, his eyes scanning the room before settling on me. Confusion flickered followed by an amused look as he raised a brow.“Uhm, Mr. Hale.” The officer cleared his throat and stood up. “It was just to let you know—”“Who is that?” Andrew peeled his gaze from me, the annoyance returning to his eyes.The Cop didn’t waste a second before pointing at Cassandra. “It is this young lady. She came here this morning and reported to be a witness to what happened to Mr. Reed. She claimed to be present when the poisoning happened.”“And she mentioned my name?” Andrew gave Cassandra only a fleeting glance before returning his attention to the Cop.The man nodded eagerly, frantically wiping an imaginary sweat from his forehead. “Actually, Ms. Coleman said you were among the last few people present with Mr. Reed before the poisoning happened. But she didn’t specifically mention t

40. The Chuckle

A deep voice sounded beside me.A familiar voice. Standing a few feet away from my left was the man who looked like he had all the time in the world.Hadn't he appeared to be in a haste some moments ago?Wait— never mind.Acting as though his words didn't reach my ears, I resumed walking,Then he added, “Ten years, twenty years, thirty… no amount of time can transform a rabbit into a tigress."I paused.My fingers balled into fists.Yet, my composure didn't crack, my smile intact as I turned to face him.“Mr. Hale, why don't you invest this energy into upgrading your mindset?” I folded my hands. “After all, it is not my fault that you cannot handle rejection.”A pause.The man sized me up, a condescending look crossing his face.“Rejection.” He chortled. “Annalise, you’re too insignificant for me to feel rejected.”Oh, was that so?I raised a brow. “If so, I hope you will pretend from now on that I don't exist.”I turned, without waiting for his response.But I hadn't taken a step ye

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