Connor sneered. "Because he was talking to you."
"Do you want to investigate all the men who will talk to me in the future?"
"He is different from other men. You should know the reason."
Annette avoided his gaze with a guilty conscience.
Connor's voice became colder. "Just tell me, or I'll find out myself. To me, there is no difference."
Annette's chest heaved in anger.
She said, "His name is Zachary. He was my neighbor."
"Just a neighbor?"
"Believe it or not, I am not lying." Annette continued, "At that time, his parents were busy, and he often stayed at home alone. His parents knew that my mom and I needed money, so they occasionally asked my mother to take care of Zachary when they were on business trips. They would pay my mother some money. Zachary was a good student. Sometimes, he would come to my house to eat. After eating, he would help me with my homework. He was like my brother. I liked him very much."
"You liked him?"
Annette rolled her eyes at Connor. "Don't use your dirty thoughts to judge my feelings at that time."
"Cut the crap and continue."
Annette didn't bother to reason with him. Anyway, she had never won.
"Later, because of Alpha Lance's frequent harassment, my mother and I had no choice but to move away. After that, for nearly a year, I only saw Zachary twice."
"You remember what happened more than ten years ago so clearly."
Annette frowned. "Don't mess around. I said that I liked him very much at that time. Since I couldn't see him often, I certainly remembered it clearly."
"Don't repeat that you liked him," Connor said coldly. "Continue."
Annette was depressed. She complained in her heart, 'You asked me to explain it to you.
Should I hide half of it from you?
At that time, I indeed liked Zachary. I don't need to deny it.'
"That year, I met him twice. The first time was during Christmas. He came to my house on behalf of his parents to deliver something. The second time was after his SAT. He had a meal at my house and said that he was going to study abroad. Since then, I have never seen him again. It has been ten years."
"It seems that you feel pity that you have been apart for more than ten years."
Annette rolled her eyes once again. "Put away your strange tone."
Connor was annoyed. "When did you get into contact again?"
"We haven't contacted each other."
"Lies. If you hadn't contacted each other, would you have been caught by me today?"
"Don't say such harsh words. Speaking of which, I have to thank you. If you told me this morning that there were hickeys on my neck, I would go home and change into a high-collared outfit. If I changed my clothes, I wouldn't be laughed at by others and would have to wear Sara's scarf. And I wouldn't have to buy her a gift in the mall."
Connor was in disbelief. "So you met him by chance?"
"Of course. That's why I have to thank you."
Connor asked unhappily, "So? You just exchanged phone numbers, right?"
Annette smiled calmly, "Of course."
Connor opened the car door and got out of the car.
Sitting in the driver's seat, he looked back and said, "Sit beside me."
Annette frowned and said, "No."
"Do you want to stay here for the whole night? I'll stay with you."
Annette had no choice but to go to the passenger seat.
Connor started the car and left the entrance of the mall.
When they returned to the villa, Dwayne was waiting for them.
He went forward to open the door for Annette and Connor.
Connor got out of the car and said to Annette, who was about to enter the villa, "By the way, I brought the thing back for you and put them in the trunk. Go and get it yourself."
"What is it?" Annette was puzzled as she walked to the trunk.
Leonard helped open the trunk.
There was a teddy bear.
Annette took it out and stared at it for a moment.
She asked, "Leonard, what's with this bear?"
"Ms. Hall, this bear is yours. You were drunk last night and asked Alpha Connor for it."
Annette pointed at her and asked, "I want this?"
"Yes. The shop was closed at that time, and you insisted on it. Alpha Connor promised to give it to you and asked his secretary to find the shop owner. However, you said that Alpha Connor went back on his word and didn't give it to you immediately. Alpha Connor did not want to disappoint you, so he smashed the window with his fist and took out the bear for you."
Annette was shocked and could not speak at all. Was she crazy last night?
Seeing Annette's surprised look, Leonard said, "Ms. Hall, you don't look like your usual self when you are drunk."
Annette smiled awkwardly and carried the bear into the villa.
When she entered the living room, Connor was not there.
She didn't want to embarrass herself again. She went upstairs quickly and returned to her room.
As soon as she opened the door, she was completely stunned.
The corner of her room was filled with all kinds of dolls.
Bears, rabbits, and turtles were everywhere...
Connor changed his clothes and came out.
Seeing her standing at the door in a daze, he walked to her and looked inside. "What's wrong?"
Annette pointed at the room. "Did you get someone to prepare these?"
"No, I did. Are you touched?"
Annette roared in her heat, 'Touched? Impossible! It's so embarrassing!'
"Are you trying to make fun of me?"
"No. Don't you like dolls? You like them, so I bought them for you. What's wrong with that?"
Annette asked, "When did I say that I liked dolls?"
"Don't you?"
"I liked them when I was a child. At that time, I hoped that my mother would buy them for me. Unfortunately, we were poor and couldn't afford them."
"It happens that I can afford them."
"But I have grown up. I don't need anyone to buy them for me. I can support myself and buy the things I like on my own."
Connor raised his eyebrows. "Then why didn't you buy it?"
"When I grew up and became independent, I found that dolls were no longer attractive to me. People said that they would buy things when they liked them. Because if they didn't buy them, they might not like them that much later.
"Since I won't like dolls forever, it is unnecessary to buy them.
"How many people will stick to the things they like forever?"
Annette looked down at the doll in her hand as she spoke. She had a headache. "When I was a child, I loved them, but not anymore."
Connor bent over slightly. He leaned in front of her and said, "What you said is right. When you were young, you might be attracted to certain things, but you wouldn't be the same after you grew up. Well, it's the same with people you liked before."