Chapter 16

There was an appointment that night, and they had to work overtime. At six in the evening, Anne was about to eat the bread she had prepared when her phone rang. She saw the caller ID and answered, "I'm working overtime." "And I'm bringing you a delicious meal." Anne walked to the reception and saw Tommy who was sitting inside to wait for her. She walked over and said, "Didn't I say that you didn't have to send me food?" "Not even once?" Tommy saw her standing there. He grabbed her small wrist and pulled her over. When he touched her, she jolted and sat down helplessly. She saw the meal prepared for her. "Why're you so nice to me?" Anne asked. Tommy had a gentle look as he answered, "I'll be nice to you, and all you have to do is to accept it. No pressure. Just like how it was when you were at the Marwood Mansion. If you'd like to, you can even call me brother." Brother… Anne looked down. All her nightmares started when she called Anthony 'brother'. Therefore, she had no courage to call Tommy 'brother'. She should not have met Tommy again and again… "If you don't eat now, it will get cold and my effort will be wasted." Tommy reached over to ruffle her hair. He took care of her like a sister. Anne fixed her hair and complained, "I'm not a child. Why did you touch my head?" Tommy laughed and replied, "Alright, I won't. Dig in." Looking at Anne's adorable face, he thought that Anne, who was twenty-one, was merely a kid to him. "Right, how's Mr. Weir?" Anne recalled. "He established the clinic and nurtured the clinic like his child. Yet, he was forced to sell it. Most importantly, the buyer did not even show up and bought him out with money. He must have felt horrible," Tommy said. "Is the buyer very powerful? Who is he?" Anne was curious. Was he as powerful as Tommy? If he were not powerful, Tommy would have been able to help Robin, but it was apparent that he could not. Anne hoped that there was someone to beat Anthony… "I heard he's someone from the Archduke Group, so I couldn't help Robin," Tommy said. Hearing that, Anne's only hope vanished. Her face turned even paler against the light. Was it Anthony? Anthony bought the clinic? Why him… Anne tightened her grip on the box. Since she was exerting too much force, it was crumpled, and the hot soup fell onto her skin. "Argh!" Tommy immediately opened the bottled water by the side and took her hand to wash the burn with water. "Don't move." The water ran through her hand and cooled down the burn. "It's red." Tommy frowned, looking at the reddish hand as he washed it. Anne saw how worried Tommy was, and she felt bad. "I'm fine. The soup was not that hot." Tommy looked up and said seriously, "If your hand is broken, I will take care of you." The nervous atmosphere was taken away by Tommy. Anne smiled. "How so? You'll cut down your hand for me?" "You don't want my hand?" "Stop fooling around…" Anne grinned. A dark shadow passed by the room. The tall figure exuding an air of oppression stopped by the room. The door was half opened, and he saw the interaction between Tommy and Anne. Anne's hand was still in Tommy's hand. As the figure exuded a powerful aura, Tommy sensed the unusual atmosphere and looked over. Anne looked over as well. When she saw the chilly and dark eyes, she retracted her hand, and her legs turned to jelly. She leaned onto the table that stopped her from falling over. "Anthony?" Tommy was surprised. Anthony walked into the room. His tall figure oppressed the others. The atmosphere grew tense. When Anthony glanced at Anne, Tommy somehow went before her to block her from him. Yet, this further frightened Anne. As if there was something between her and Tommy… Anthony's threat resonated in her ears… "Long time no see. I didn't expect to see you here. Why're you here?" Tommy was confused. This was a surgery clinic. He did not think that Anthony's handsome face, which even made him feel insecure, had anything to work on. Unless he was here for Anne… "I was passing by," Anthony said coldly. Tommy went up. "We haven't met for so many years. Want to get a drink?" "Okay." Anthony did not turn him down. When he turned around, his eagle eyes glanced at his victim, who dared not make a sound. After the two men left, Anne turned limp and fell onto the chair. Her back was sweating. She knew why Anthony showed up. The Archduke Group bought the clinic. In other words, Anthony bought the clinic. He could show up at his clinic whenever he wanted to. Anne covered her face helplessly. Anthony bought this clinic in order to control her. Who would have thought that one would go this far to ensure she had no freedom… Anne thought of the surgery she had. Would Anthony find it out? Probably not. Anthony would not check the files of the clients. Thinking of that, she was more at ease. When the customer came, Anne went back to work. When the procedure ended, it was around nine at night. Anne went into the changing room. Her phone rang when she opened the locker and got ready to change. When she took out her phone, she halted. It was a video call. She told Nancy not to call. Furthermore, it was not even daytime there! Anne answered, "Hello?" "Mama? Is this Mama?" A child-like voice was heard. Anne's heart softened as if all her fatigue was washed away. "Yes, it's me. What time is it? Why're you awake? Where are your brothers?" Anne asked. It was her daughter calling. Chloe pouted and said, "They are not up yet. I miss Mama, so I took Nancy's phone to call you." Anne’s guess was right. She did not blame her but smiled. "Hmm, I miss you, too." After all, the kids knew nothing. "How's Mama's work?" "I just finished work. I'm about to go home!" "You're not coming back to us?" Anne was about to say something when Nancy's voice was heard. "Chloe, why are you on the phone?" "I'm calling Mama." "Didn't I say we can't call Mama when she's at work?" "Just… just… for a while…" Anne heard Chloe's adorable voice, and she had a gentle smile on her face. She planned to video call them when it was their daytime later. The door of the changing room moved. Anne thought it was her colleague. However, when she looked back, a pair of dark eyes came into sight. She was so terrified that she turned pale. "Who're you calling?" Anthony asked with a blank expression. "Nobody…" Anne stiffened with fear. "Give me the phone." Anne was going to run away while ending the call, but his hand was even quicker… "Argh!" Anne gasped and wanted to retrieve her phone, but her neck was held against the wardrobe. "Argh!" Anthony got hold of the phone, but the call ended. He called back and put the phone on speaker.