CHAPTER 148: CHAPTER 148: WE ENDED LONG AGO

"You rascal, what’s with your attitude?" Renee Perry said coldly.

Elias Warner didn’t respond.

She then turned to comfort Sylvia Lowell, "Sylvie, it’s not that Elias is intentionally ignoring you. He has a flight to catch tomorrow and can’t afford to be distracted; he needs to be focused on work. So, it’s normal that he’s not spending tonight with you. Weren’t you together yesterday?"

Renee had sharp eyes; she noticed the hickey on Sylvia Lowell’s neck in the morning.

Besides Elias Warner, she couldn’t think of anyone else who could have done it.

"Aunty, I know. You should go rest, and I’ll sleep next door," Sylvia said, wrapping an arm around Renee’s shoulder, signaling her to rest.

Renee nodded and went downstairs.

Sylvia also went to the room next door to sleep.

Outside, silence ensued.

When Elias Warner returned to the bedroom, Annelise Winter was still lying under the covers, her eyes peeking out.

She was really tired, on the verge of falling asleep.

But just now, her exchange with Elias Warner left her tears still hanging on her face, not yet wiped away.

Elias Warner gently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with his palm.

This startled Annelise Winter, making her sit up suddenly as if shocked by electricity.

Elias Warner frowned.

At this moment, Annelise, in his eyes, looked like a frightened little bird.

"Annelise, tell me, did my mom threaten you? Is that it? Otherwise, why are you so afraid of her?"

During dinner today, Elias Warner could tell that Annelise seemed very afraid of his mother, Renee Perry.

It seemed like with every word she said, she needed to glance at his mother’s expression.

Annelise was surprised.

She knew Elias Warner was very smart.

And observant.

So she had already tried her best to appear natural, yet he still somehow noticed.

"No, it’s not, you’re overthinking it. Ms. Perry treats me well. It’s just that you’re my friend’s boyfriend, and we... ended a long time ago!"

Annelise’s eyes were firm.

She knew she almost spilled all the grievances and injustices she’d suffered over the years just now.

But she couldn’t say it.

She couldn’t gamble with Elias Warner’s and her brother’s futures.

Anyway, these five years have passed.

In just two more months, she could walk away from it all completely.

She should be wishing him well.

So, she couldn’t let him suspect anything.

Elias Warner grabbed Annelise’s delicate wrist and placed it against his cheek.

He kissed it, his eyes full of deep affection, "You know, you’re not good at lying, your acting is quite clumsy! Do you trust me? No matter what happens, I’ll protect you!"

Annelise froze, holding back tears, staring at the ceiling of the room.

She withdrew her hand from the one that gave a temporary warmth, which didn’t belong to her.

She knew this all too well!

"Elias Warner, I don’t know what you’re talking about. We’ve long lost our feelings for each other, so please let me go!"

Annelise tried to get up again.

Her slender figure stood solitary in the room, a bit desolate.

She twitched the corner of her mouth, not daring to look back at Elias Warner’s face.

She quickly ran to the door, intending to open it.

A leg stretched out across, blocking her path.

Pinning her against the door panel.

"Annelise, trust me!"

Without waiting for her response, he kissed her cold lips.

Wrapping Annelise in a bath towel, he lifted her up and headed downstairs.

Annelise’s face turned pale, wanting to resist, yet feared making a sound and attracting Renee Perry.

Outside the door, Elias Winter carried Annelise and put her in the car.

The rain was still pouring down. He bent over to shield her from getting wet, intentionally placing himself under the downpour.

Though it was only a twenty-meter distance, Elias Warner was drenched.

"Wait here, I’ll get you some clothes!"

Elias Warner went back into the rain to fetch Annelise’s clothes, allowing her to change in the car.

He was still soaked.

Annelise moved her lips, unsure of what to say.

Outside, the rain continued.

Seeming even heavier than before.

The thunder was deafening.

Annelise suddenly recalled the night Renee Perry forced her to leave Elias Warner.

She had been at the hospital for a check-up to confirm her pregnancy.

Intending to surprise Elias Warner.

But unexpectedly, before she could reach him, she encountered Renee Perry.

Blocking her in her room, forcing her to leave Elias Warner.

The rain was heavy that night too.

She squatted on the ground, helpless and sad.

Thinking back to that night, she hugged herself even tighter.

When she came back to her senses, Elias Warner had already driven her to the villa.

Uncle Ford saw the headlights flash at the gate and came over with an umbrella to receive them.

Unexpectedly, Annelise was with him.

However, he was already used to it.

In this villa, apart from Annelise, no other woman had ever stayed there.

He opened the car door.

Elias Warner held Annelise tighter, providing an umbrella for both of them.

Back to the room.

Elias Warner placed Annelise on the bed.

"It’s cold outside. Wait here, I’ll be right back!"

Raindrops still clung to Elias Warner’s hair as he quickly took a shower and changed his clothes.

Annelise was left alone in the bedroom.

This place was much cozier than the estate.

In less than half an hour, Elias Warner came back with a bowl of noodles.

"Eat, you barely had anything tonight!"

Annelise was taken aback, her eyes flashing. Indeed, tonight at the Whitlock Estate, she barely ate anything; all the food was prepared for Sylvia Lowell.

It was all Sylvia Lowell’s favorites.

Unexpectedly, he noticed this too.

She took the noodles and had a bite, finding them fresh and tasty.

Not bad at all.

She wondered, when did Elias Warner learn to cook noodles?

Did he learn it for Sylvia Lowell?

"What’s wrong? Judging by your expression, is it that bad?" Elias Warner frowned.

It shouldn’t be; he tried it himself and found it quite decent.

This skill, he learned from Mama Langdon.

He often heard Annelise praising Mama Langdon’s clear noodle soup.

Annelise’s eyes were red, but she didn’t respond.

"You eat first; there’s steak in the kitchen. I’ll bring it up for you later!"

Before Annelise could respond, Elias Warner dashed off.

Soon, the aroma of the steak wafted over.

Elias Warner reappeared before her, holding a plate of steak.

This steak was seared by himself, also learned from Mama Langdon.

Because Annelise always loved Mama Langdon’s steak.

Growing up, she never got tired of it.

"You cooked this?"

Annelise asked with a doubtful yet embarrassed smile.

"Yeah, try it!"

"Hmm, it’s pretty good!"

"Would you like some wine?" Elias Warner asked, albeit with a stack of beer already prepared.

He turned and brought in the beer.

"You’re not good with alcohol; better stick to beer!"

With a hiss, the beer can popped open.

The coolness seeped into his palm, accompanied by the fizz of bubbles rising up.

Elias Warner handed one to Annelise.

He opened another can for himself.

Cheers.

Annelise took it, without a word, gulped it down, and with a bang, she crushed the can and placed it on the bedside table.

Elias Warner raised an eyebrow, sipping his drink slowly.