Chapter 7

When Anderson approached Mayra with an intimidating air, she instinctively stumbled backward, feeling flustered. "I'm not." "Look up at me." She nervously clutched the hem of her shirt with both hands and obediently lifted her head. However, the fearful look in her eyes betrayed her emotions. Anderson noticed a strand of dark hair resting on the tip of her nose. Flicking it out of the way, he said, "Mayra, you know I don't like it when you lie. Tell me the truth!" He sounded stern. Rattled, she replied meekly, "Well, you're forming a new family soon. You only keep me around to repay Dad's favor of saving your life. But since we're not related by blood, it's only right that I keep a distance from you. "Andy, you've treated me well enough all these years. I do not wish to owe you more favors. I was immature in the past and always went for the most extreme reaction, but I thought it through after I was hospitalized. "Andy, you're not an ordinary man. Besides, you have your personal life, and it's only a matter of time before I grow up and leave your side. You don't have to pay much attention to me from now on because I'm capable of raising myself. "It was my fault today. I shouldn't have gone out with Isabel without giving you a heads-up. Andy, I never initiated contact with her, and I never wanted to come between you and her." Before her rebirth, Mayra had never shown any fear toward Anderson. Not only that, she was emboldened by Anderson's coddling and became a menace. Only she would have the guts to order Anderson around, something that no one else dared to do. She openly instructed him to get her water, do her laundry, and cook her meals. But things were different in her present life. Since Anderson's return to the Barlow family, he had officially become the heir of the Barlow Group. Like what he had said to her the last time, he might not visit her at the apartment anymore. Mayra had always been a highly sensitive character. Thoughts of the events from past life made her fear Anderson. She dared not go against him at all. He set his deep gaze on her. Looking frosty, he snapped, "Who taught you to speak like that?" Mayra replied honestly, "No one. I figured it out myself. We're not siblings, and we're not even related by blood. You've done enough to repay Dad's favor of saving your life." Anderson squinted with a dangerous look in his eyes. "It's good to see you growing up, but… never say that again. Got it? Speak up!" Sensing his growing rage, she immediately nodded in response. "I-I got it, Andy!" Still, she was puzzled by the reason behind his anger. She always thought of herself as a burden to him. Wouldn't leaving him be good news for him? It was about time he could focus on his life without considering her feelings and needs. Anderson's frown relaxed. Looking satisfied, he picked up the bowl of hangover soup and wandered out of the door. There, he downed the contents in the bowl and stared at her out of the corner of his eye with an icy glint. "Do not be in contact with anyone from the opposite sex, no matter who he is! Focus on your studies." Mayra stood frozen in shock, clearly intimidated by his presence. It wasn't until he left and closed the door behind him that her stiff body finally relaxed. After Anderson left the apartment, he entered a luxurious Maybach and closed the car door. Then, he ordered coldly, "Look into Gordon Thorp's background." Shane replied, "Sure, Mr. Barlow." Anderson had headed over to Mayra's place right after a business drinking session. After leaving her apartment, he shut his eyes and rested against the backrest because he was feeling the influence of alcohol and some sickness in his stomach. He asked, "Who did Mayra meet lately?" Shane reported, "Only Ms. Fisher. Ms. Sadler has been going to school on time. There's nothing unusual." Nothing unusual? Ever since the hospitalization from the suicide attempt, Mayra started fearing him. In the past, there was nothing she wouldn't do to him. Sure, she might have become mindful of her actions, but he would much rather she return to her old self. Always observant, he could tell that something was amiss with Mayra, but he couldn't quite put a finger on it. … Anderson trudged his way into the Barlow mansion. He took off the black suit jacket and dragged himself to his bedroom on the second floor. Upon opening the door, his nose was assaulted by a sickly sweet scent. Isabel heard the door creak open, and her eyes fluttered open just as she was about to doze off with her head resting in her hand. Jolting awake, she rose from the chair and turned to Anderson with a warm smile. "You're home." She wore a seducing white lace nightdress and did not seem to be wearing any lingerie underneath. The soft fabric draped over her body, accentuating her curves. Under the light, the white fabric looked vaguely translucent, offering a vague glimpse of her body that was the fantasy of many men. Isabel managed her weight and physique strictly. To perfect her body and appeal to Anderson, she poured in lots of effort. Hailing from the esteemed Fisher family of Belchester City, Isabel was raised with discipline. Since young, she lived under restrictive family rules. Showing up in a man's bedroom late at night was certainly not a behavior approved by the Fishers, but she couldn't care less because she would soon become Mrs. Barlow anyway. As this was her first time pulling off such a bold act, she blushed shyly and went up to grab his arm. "Anderson, please don't be mad. I know I crossed a line today. I shouldn't have met Mayra without letting you know beforehand. "I did it out of kindness—I wanted it to be a surprise for you. She's like a sister to you, isn't she? Since you haven't met her for a while, I thought of inviting her along for dinner. I meant well. Please don't be upset at me, okay?" Then, she boldly stood in front of him and wrapped her arms around his neck. Looking abashed, she bit her lips and purred, "I'm here to make it up to you. I promise I'll never meet Mayra in private anymore." Anderson quietly stared at her body, but oddly did not feel aroused by her sexual appeal. He said to her, "Isabel, it's late now. Stop messing around." Before he knew it, she had wrapped her arms around his waist. Leaning against his chest, she remarked sadly, "You're my fiancé now, but you haven't spent much time with me since our engagement. Anderson, I'm your woman…" She daringly clasped his hand, asking, "Don't you want me?" She added, "Anderson, I really love you." Fixing a seductive gaze on him, she stood on her tiptoes and slowly approached him.