The Stepbrother’s Hidden Desires

On the sixth day of the holiday, which happened to be Valentine’s Day, Annabel was called to breakfast by Eve.

As she went downstairs, she noticed a suitcase standing by the entrance and could faintly hear Brenna’s voice from the dining room, giving some last-minute instructions.

Was Logan going back to Kenland today? Even though they lived next door, she hadn’t seen much of Logan recently. He seemed to be busy with something.

When Annabel entered the dining room, even the usually busy Thomas was there. Logan really did get different treatment.

Thomas glanced at her disapprovingly. “Do you even know what time it is?”

Bonnie, displeased, responded, “She’s on holiday. She’s supposed to rest. What’s wrong with waking up a little late?”

Thomas didn’t dare contradict his mother and shot a glare at Annabel, who smiled silently.

Logan was eating homemade noodles Brenna had prepared while occasionally playing with Salvador, who had taken her seat. Annabel picked up the cat and tossed it into Logan’s lap. “Get lost.”

Even the cat had turned traitor to her. What was the point of keeping it?

Logan’s gaze shifted from her face back to Salvador.

Brenna sighed with reluctance. “Why are you in such a hurry to go back? Wouldn’t it be nice to stay with Mom a little longer?”

Before Logan could respond, Annabel interjected, “It’s Valentine’s Day today. Are you going back to be with your girlfriend?”

Aria had flown to Kenland the day before, supposedly with a handsome exchange student. Brenna, not knowing the details, looked between them, seemingly curious to find out more.

Logan glanced at her indifferently. “I don’t have a girlfriend.”

“Your mom and I are attending a charity event later. Bella, why don’t you take Logan to the airport? You’re just lazing around anyway.”

“I don’t have time!”

“No need for her to drive me!”

They both objected simultaneously. Thomas sighed, “Alright, alright. The driver will take you.”

Logan quickly finished eating and got up to leave, with Thomas and Brenna following him out.

Annabel went upstairs to grab her bag and then headed out the door.

Logan’s car was parked by the roadside, with the driver loading his luggage. From start to finish, he didn’t acknowledge her presence.

Since that night at the bar, Logan had been distant toward her. Annabel never cared about his moods, so she couldn’t be bothered.

She decided to visit Christopher, who had been complaining about her lack of concern for her elders lately.

Christopher’s assistant, Lara, was playing with her phone in the outer office. When she saw Annabel, she didn’t stop her. “Boss is inside.”

There were only two people who could walk straight into Christopher’s office: Annabel and Boris. Everyone in the company treated them with utmost respect.

“Did your boss give you guys the day off for Valentine’s Day?”

Lara smiled. “Yeap.”

“Why aren’t you off then?”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“Single dogs don’t get holidays.”

Annabel chuckled. “I’ll have a word with your boss about that.”

She laughed as she pushed open the office door.

Christopher’s office was large, with a half-partition in the middle: the outer area for guests and the inner area for work.

She could faintly hear Christopher’s voice, “How’s it going?”

“This guy is smart; he even managed to track it back to us.” It was Boris’s voice.

Annabel hadn’t intended to eavesdrop, but the tone indicated it wasn’t good news.

There was a long silence before Christopher’s voice turned cold and harsh. “Then we can’t let him go. Didn’t he just return to the country? It won’t be hard to make it look like an accident.”

Annabel’s heart skipped a beat. Was Christopher planning to hire someone to kill?

Boris lowered his voice. “They’re already suspicious. He might have told Thomas, and he’s flying out today. We can’t make a move for a while.”

Christopher sneered, “Letting him go so easily would be too good for Brenna.”

Annabel’s mind buzzed. Was Christopher planning to target Logan? Her heart raced, and she suddenly burst out, “You can’t harm Logan! He’s not like Brenna!”

Christopher and Boris were stunned. Christopher’s face, full of shadows a moment before, instantly softened.

“What brings you here?”

He calmly gestured for Boris to leave.

“Don’t touch him!”

Christopher smiled faintly. “I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”

“I’m not stupid. When I was in the hospital last time, I asked you if Thomas’s enemies were targeting Logan and if I might be next. You told me not to worry. I suspected it was related to you, but I didn’t want to believe you were this kind of person. You’ve really let me down!”

He stepped closer, gripping her shoulders tightly. Beneath his calm facade lay deep-seated hatred. “There were three people who knew your mother died: your housekeeper, your father, and Brenna. The housekeeper disappeared after moving abroad with her family. Your mother’s cause of death was asthma, but that’s not fatal! Do you know how wonderful your mother was?!”

Christopher’s face twisted with anger, and his grip on her shoulders tightened.

“Then call the police! Why resort to these methods?”

Annabel knew he was angry. Christopher believed Thomas was responsible for Essem’s death, a notion she resisted because, after all, Thomas was her father.

“Would that help?” he retorted coldly.

Annabel leaned on the wooden desk and said eagerly, “If Brenna caused my mother’s death, I wouldn’t let her off either. But Logan is innocent. He’s only nineteen; his life is just beginning. And I don’t want you to throw away your future avenging my mother.”

Christopher clenched his fists. “Don’t be naive. Brenna’s son can’t be innocent. Your mother was fooled once by Brenna’s innocent act. In the end, Brenna got involved with your father, and your mother died mysteriously. Logan is the same-he’s ruthless and will be your biggest threat!”

Annabel’s voice dripped with anger. “Even if they’re all bad, does that justify hiring someone to kill? How are you any different from them? You should focus on your own life. Aunt Holly is a good person.”

Christopher stood in the light, squinting as he studied her. He thought about how ruthless Thomas had been but decided against saying anything further.

Seeing the anger and disappointment on Annabel’s face, Christopher softened his tone, worried she might fear him and avoid him. “I promise you, this ends here.”

Annabel responded sternly, “You have to keep your word. This is my principle. If something happens to Logan, I won’t cover for you. And if my mother’s death is truly connected to Thomas, I won’t cover for him either.”

Christopher couldn’t miss the implication in her words. She met his gaze with a firm, resolute expression.

She’s gone so far as to defend Brenna’s son!