CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER 41: THE POWER IS IN YOUR HANDS NOW

Anna Thornton carefully examined the bone marrow match results, confirming that Conrad Sterling was a suitable donor for the child.

"What if I choose the bone marrow? Then what?" Anna asked him.

"After the surgery, you will leave, and you can never bring the child back to the country. Of course, I’ll give you a sum of money!"

Conrad Sterling spoke as if it were merely a transaction, as if all this was just business.

When the deal concludes, he pays the price, and everything should return to its original place, developing in the direction he desires.

Hearing this, Anna couldn’t help but sneer, "And then? You can continue to coax Miss Ford while the two of you shamelessly stay together?"

"That’s my business!" Conrad replied with a hint of displeasure.

The words Anna used really hit President Sterling’s sore spot completely.

Even Conrad was somewhat impressed by his own temper, being able to remain composed and not lash out at her yet.

"I came back to find you for the child’s sake and you’re using the child to drive me away. No wonder everyone says you’re the best at making money, well done, Conrad!"

This was such an exquisite deal; Anna couldn’t help but applaud him: "Do you think that by providing a meager amount of money and a little bone marrow, you can write off the grudges from four years ago? You want me to be grateful and take the child far away?"

"If what happened four years ago hadn’t occurred, then what is Pop? She’s the child of us being together, a living person! She will grow up, become sensible – can you just pretend she doesn’t exist?"

Only when Anna talked about Pop did Conrad’s eyes, which were as unfathomable as a millennium-old cold pond, flicker slightly.

However, the man concealed his emotions too quickly, and Anna wasn’t able to capture what exactly flashed across them.

"Conrad Sterling, are you sure you want to threaten me with the child’s life?" Anna asked him.

"I’m giving you a choice. What you’ve done is what’s truly threatening!" Conrad emphasized.

"Fine, if that’s the case, then I’ll choose!"

Anna’s hand lingered over the successful bone marrow match result for a long time, and just when Conrad thought she had made up her mind, the woman’s slender hand deftly turned and picked up the contract on his left side.

Anna grabbed a pen from his desk and quickly filled her name in the artist column.

Conrad Sterling: "...Do you know what you’ve chosen?"

"Of course I do. I said early on that I would join Dynasty Entertainment, and I’m supposed to report tomorrow, right?" Anna finished signing her name and handed the pen back to him.

Conrad’s fists clenched, the veins on the back of his hands bulging, and he looked at this woman with an irrational anger in his eyes: "You came back claiming it was for the child’s sake, even willing to forgo your dignity. But at the critical moment, you didn’t even care about Pop?"

"I didn’t neglect Pop! President Sterling, the bone marrow is yours; if you’re willing to donate, you can save the child’s life. Therefore, the decision is now in your hands. Since I didn’t choose as you wanted, will you still save the child?"

Conrad was practically amused with frustration by this little woman.

Anna always manages to surprise him at these moments of mental skirmishes. Conrad made her choose between two options, firmly believing that her regard for Pop would make her prioritize the child. So, this choice wasn’t really a choice, it was merely to force her out.

Yet Anna didn’t play by the rules, turning the challenge back on Conrad by advancing through retreat.

Yes, Anna was gambling!

She was gambling on the last shred of Conrad’s conscience.

Even if the man didn’t have it, Aunt Murray wouldn’t let him stand by and do nothing.

But if she lost the gamble...

Anna thought, she might as well go all out, find a chance to drug Conrad and steal his sperm to undergo IVF.

After all, they’re already living in the same house, so there should be plenty of opportunities.

Conrad didn’t know that Anna had already planned to use him for his sperm, but seeing the cunning glint in her beautiful eyes, he knew she was up to no good.

The man opened the drawer on his right-hand side and handed her a signed bone marrow donation consent form: "Take the child for a check-up this weekend, and I’ll arrange the surgery as soon as possible."

"Oh, President Sterling had a change of heart? Is the sun rising from the west?"

"Don’t celebrate too soon!" Conrad warned Anna, "The contract you’re holding hasn’t been signed."

If he hadn’t pointed it out, Anna might not have noticed that indeed, the agent contract still lacked a signature in the first party column.

Anna had been so focused on the bone marrow match result, thinking she cleverly avoided Conrad’s trap, only to find out that he’s always a step ahead.

"What does this mean? Regardless of what I decided, you’ve already set the outcome. Is this really a choice at all?"

"It is. I made the best choice for you."

"What bullshit! Conrad, you’re too cunning!"

Anna was so angry that she wanted to stomp her feet. Anyway, since this man was the first to play tricks, she decided to see who could prevail in the end: "I don’t care! Conrad, I chose the agent contract, so you need to sign it in the first-party column right now!"

"Did you hear that? If you don’t sign today, do you believe I’ll go out tomorrow and loudly announce that we’re cohabiting?"

What Anna said carried no weight as a threat to Conrad. After all, if she dared to do so, he would make sure she couldn’t leave the house the next day.

When the man showed no concern and was about to leave the study.

Anna boldly grabbed his arm: "You’re not allowed to leave!"

"Anna, let go!"

"You have to sign for me first, or I won’t let go!"

"What kind of behavior is this? After using all your tricks, you’re resorting to tantrums like a three-year-old child?"

Conrad hadn’t said it, but she didn’t feel it. Only now did she realize that her current behavior did resemble Pop throwing a tantrum for treats.

But as long as it worked, it was fine. After all, whenever Pop clung to Anna’s leg or arm and acted cute, she couldn’t resist and would give in to whatever he wanted.

Anna decided to go all out, wrapping both her arms around Conrad’s arm, determined not to let him leave.

However, she overlooked two points: first, she’s not a child but a fully developed, attractive woman.

Second, she wasn’t wearing a bra.

Conrad suspected she was doing it on purpose; her breathing had noticeably quickened: "Anna, if you don’t let go, don’t blame me for being rude."

"I won’t let go!" Anna didn’t believe Conrad would hit a woman.

She had studied psychology while abroad, knowing that men with violent tendencies often had psychological issues rooted in insecurity. They are usually societal failures, seeking dominance over women to compensate for their internal imbalance.

Clearly, Conrad wasn’t one of those men, but if he truly was an exception.

Anna also learned coping strategies. At such times, she must not show fear or weakness. She would meet his gaze, using eye contact to challenge and reflect on his actions, making him loathe himself deeply.

When Anna looked up at Conrad, she wasn’t sure if he was indeed reflecting.

But his reaction was unusual, his eyes bloodshot, his skin flushed.

The man suddenly lifted her chin, and the next moment, Anna felt a warmth on her lips.

"Mmm..."