Chapter 298: I’m a Little Tired Today

Just as the two were talking, Nathan Fawcett pushed the door open and walked in.

He had already taken Ian to his room, but he came over, a little worried that Faye Yorke might be bullying Anne Sutton.

He now stood at the doorway, looking at Anne and Faye.

When Faye saw him, she asked, "Ethan Linden, do you need something?"

Nathan said, "I came to see what you two were talking about."

Faye stood up. Nathan’s arrival had spoiled the mood. She said to Anne, "I’ll head out first."

Anne nodded.

Once she had left, Nathan turned to Anne. "She didn’t give you any trouble, did she?"

"Of course not." Anne looked at Nathan, finding the situation hilarious.

Nathan said, "Don’t lie to me. The moment she saw me, she looked guilty."

Anne replied, "Seriously? Why would she cause trouble for me? Because of you? You think she’d get jealous and give me a hard time? You’re overthinking it! You’re not that charming."

’Not every woman sees others as competition just because of a man.’

’Not everyone is like Stella Shields!’

’The more exceptional a person is, the less likely they are to do embarrassing things over a man.’

Nathan looked at her and asked, "Then what did you talk about?"

"I’m not telling you."

Nathan was a little disappointed. "Why?"

Anne said, "I’m so sleepy. Let’s go to bed."

With that, she headed outside. Stella Shields was still on an IV drip, while Faye Yorke was tidying up. As Anne and Faye’s eyes met, they both gave a slight, knowing smile.

Stella stood to the side, sizing Anne up.

She had imagined that when Faye called Anne away, the two of them would have a vicious fight.

’I just wonder what really happened in there.’

Anne glanced at Stella, said nothing, and went straight upstairs.

Nathan followed her up!

They got into bed. Lying down, Nathan looked at Anne and asked, "So what did you two really talk about?"

He looked very worried.

Anne knew he was afraid she’d been bullied. "Nothing much," she said. "Faye heard we were together and was really surprised. She asked me what on earth possessed me to be with you! She even offered to introduce me to someone else."

"..." Nathan was speechless.

He had never bothered to clear up the past misunderstanding with Faye.

That was simply because he had no desire to marry her.

He just never expected...

So now, not only did Faye no longer want to marry him, but she had started meddling in Anne’s affairs.

Seeing Nathan’s crushed expression, Anne started laughing. "What’s wrong? Any thoughts?"

"Nothing," Nathan said.

"I told you I wasn’t going to tell you! But you just had to know."

Nathan gazed at her. "Well, you’re not allowed to listen to her. You’re mine!"

Anne raised an eyebrow. "Since when did I become yours? What are you talking about?"

Nathan leaned in, pressing down on her and looking at her affectionately. "You are mine. Don’t even think about denying it."

Anne raised an eyebrow again. "I’ve said it before. The moment a better option comes along, I’m leaving you."

"In your dreams!" Nathan retorted. "You won’t get the chance."

He touched Anne’s hand. "Why are your hands so cold?"

Anne said, "Are they?"

’They seem fine to me!’

Nathan held her hand and didn’t let go. "Let me warm them up for you."

’...’ ’Is he sure this isn’t just an excuse to hold my hand?’

Rendered speechless by his antics, Anne said no more.

...

Charles Prescott was sitting on the hotel sofa when Mia Shaw walked over. "You’re still not sleeping?"

He didn’t move.

Mia sat down beside him. "What did you say to Anne Sutton?"

He’d been like this ever since he got back.

Charles said, "Do you think Ethan Linden will really marry Anne Sutton?"

"No way!" Mia said. "It’s not like Ethan is crazy. Everyone in Veridia knows the Linden Family’s status. He could marry any woman he wants. There’s no need for him to marry Anne Sutton!"

Because of Anne’s past with Nathan Fawcett, most people had a poor impression of her.

"But for some reason," Charles said, "I have a feeling they’ll end up together."

"So that’s why you’re upset?" Mia looked at him. "I’m right here in front of you, but all you can think about is someone else. I guess I’m just not good enough."

Charles looked at her, raised a hand, and stroked her thick hair.

’He hated being all alone!’

’So whenever he was by himself, he always wanted to find someone to keep him company.’

’That person could be anyone.’

’He had always been like this!’

Anne was very dedicated to her work. She was always busy at the hospital, so even when she was his fiancée, she never devoted all her time to him.

’But he was surrounded by women who were willing to revolve their lives around him!’

Charles also enjoyed the feeling of being adored.

’After all, it made him feel like a successful man!’

’The more women he had around him, the greater his sense of accomplishment.’

’But for some reason, now...’

’Whether it was Mia in front of him or someone else, the image of Anne’s disdainful expression would pop into his head.’

He had tried to explain things to her today, but she hadn’t even wanted to listen.

Charles asked, "Do you like me?"

Hearing his question, Mia laughed. "What are you talking about? If I didn’t like you, would I be here wasting my time with you?"

He drove her crazy, but every time he appeared, she couldn’t help but draw closer to him.

It was the same this time...

’She loved this man!’

’He had her completely wrapped around his little finger!’

Hearing Mia’s words, Charles’s lips curled into a smirk. "Then tell me, why doesn’t Anne Sutton like me anymore?"

The mention of Anne Sutton’s name made Mia’s expression sink.

"You’re still thinking about her!" Mia exclaimed.

Charles mused aloud, "I was just thinking, if I hadn’t been so casual with our relationship back then, if there had been no Sylvia Warren, no child... would she and I have ended up like this?"

Hearing this, Mia’s face went completely blank. "Why do you like her so much? She had Nathan Fawcett before, and now she has Ethan Linden. She’s not your fiancée anymore! She’s not even ’pure’—she got pregnant with another man’s child! But me... I’ve never been with anyone but you. Why won’t you even spare me a glance?"

Charles looked at Mia and gave a slight smile. He stood up and said, "I’m heading back."

He didn’t want to argue with her here.

Seeing him about to leave at the first sign of disagreement, Mia quickly stood up and wrapped her arms around him from behind. "Don’t go!"

Charles glanced down at the hands wrapped around his waist.

Mia pleaded, "I know you like her. Can’t we just not talk about her? Can’t I just not compete with her? Don’t shut me out every time this topic comes up! It really hurts. I like you so much, so why can I never seem to get close to you?"

"I’m just a little tired today," Charles said.

’He’d come out hoping to relax, but...’

’Seeing Anne Sutton had ruined his mood completely.’

...