Chapter 2

Running into the alley, Anne would end up at a dead end. Therefore, she ran out toward the busy street. Once getting to the main road, she could get a taxi and run away! However, it was not easy for her to get a taxi when she arrived at the roadside. The men were still chasing her! Anne was desperately looking for somewhere to hide. She happened to see a parked Rolls Loyce on the other side of the road. She ran toward it with no hesitation and hid on the other side of the car. Anne gasped while leaning at the side of the car. The windows were opaque and she could not see anything inside. All she could see was her panic reflection. The phone in her purse rang, and she quickly answered it in shock. She slowly peeked out and saw the bodyguards searching around for her. She quickly hid behind the car once again. On the other end of the phone, Sarah asked, "Anne, where did you go? I can't find you in the washroom!" "Aunt, I… I’m on my way back now." "What? To the hotel? You should come home with me! I even prepared a room for you, the same room you used to stay in…" As she was listening to Sarah, she heard the movements behind her. It was a very tiny sound: the car window rolled down. Anne’s body froze for a moment. She was listening to her phone while turning back to have a look. The feature of the man inside was revealed as the window rolled down slowly. His handsome face was just as stunning in the darkness. His darkening eyes instantly halted Anne's breathing. She could no longer hear what Sarah was saying. "Ah!" Anne cried out in shock as she staggered backward. "Anne? Are you alright?" Sarah asked anxiously. Anne quickly ended the call and kept her phone in her purse before turning to leave. However, when she was about to move, the bodyguards saw her and ran toward her, stopping her from running. The car door opened, and Anthony came out of the car. "Do you know it is dangerous to run away from me?" His voice was low and cold. Anne turned to him and asked in fear, "Why did you…" Anthony pinched her face and pulled her to him… "Argh!" He was so forceful that she thought her bones were breaking. "I thought you were never coming back!" Anthony's dark eyes glinted eerily as he leaned into her ear and whispered, "Anne Vallois." She turned pale when she felt his warm breath by her ear, along with his demon-like voice. Anthony grabbed the nape of her neck and forcefully threw her into the car… "Argh!" It was spacious inside. Anne fell onto the car mat before Anthony came back in, shutting the door. The car sped away and disappeared into the night. This seemed like a planned kidnap. Anne looked out the window in fear and asked, "Where are you taking me? Let me out!" Anthony pressed himself on her, exuding a fearful aura. He clasped his fingers on her chin, forcing her to look him in the eye. He asked eerily, "Are you telling me what to do?" "No… no…" "Didn't you used to call me brother when you stayed with us? Let me hear it again?" "No… no… I left the Marwood family long ago. I came here to attend the party. I am sorry. I won't come back to Luton again, I swear!" No matter how hard she tried to hold back her fear, her body still shivered. "You seem afraid of me? Hmm?" Anthony raised her chin like a predator messing with his shivering prey. Anne dared not make a sound. Anthony was as scary as a demon. After all these years, he had gotten even scarier. She could never forget the pain she was inflicted with back in the Marwood mansion. Especially now that she had three children of his. The fear of uncertainties overwhelmed her… "I beg you, let go of me. I will vanish from Luton and never come back. I beg you…" Anne had tears in her eyes, and her fair and beautiful neck stiffened as she pleaded. Her hands behind her back clutched onto her purse tightly. She tried to keep the purse away from Anthony's sight as if her secret would be exposed if he saw the purse… Anthony stroked her chin with his fingers which were so coarse. She felt his fingers like a knife holding against her neck. "Since you're back, don't try to run away," Anthony growled coldly before he pushed her face away with disgust. Anne teared up as she sobbed, "I beg you…" Anthony merely leaned back on the seat as he looked at this anxious woman coldly. The headlights from the Rolls Loyce penetrated the darkness. Twenty minutes later, it drove into the most expensive and priceless private residential area. Anne remained in the car seat as she fearfully watched Anthony get off the car. "Are you waiting for an invitation to exit the car?" His hostile voice was heard as he stood outside. Anne saw the opened door moving slightly. She reached out to open the other door and went out from the other side. This was the closest door to where she was, so she did not have to climb over to the other end. She grabbed her purse and went out of the car. After closing the car door, she quickly took out her phone from her purse to turn it off. It was nighttime here, while it was morning overseas. She was afraid of her children or their nanny calling. If they did, Anthony would find out! She had to unlock her phone to turn it off. She typed in six digits to unlock her phone with her shaky fingers. Since she was too anxious, she typed the wrong digits and had to re-type… The car was blocking Anne from Anthony. The latter walked across to her with his eyes as dark as an owl. He saw Anne standing without moving with an anxious look. "What are you waiting for?" Anne seemed to have finally remembered to breathe. That was close… She saw the castle-like mansion beside her. She pleaded, "I… I would like to leave… I can… stay in a hotel… Argh!" Before she could finish her sentence, Anthony walked up to her and grabbed her by her neck forcefully that her vision had gone black. "Ouch… I can walk, I can walk myself…" "Anne Vallois, I shall remind you that I have no patience!" Anthony pushed her forcefully. Anne almost tripped on her heels, and she leaned on the car to regain her balance. Upon entering the mansion, she felt how tiny she was. It was as if a luxurious net had fallen from the sky, trapping her from ever escaping. The living room was the size of others' entire house. Anne stood there transfixed, not daring to move. She vaguely knew where she was: she was at Anthony's mansion.