"Ann, don't treat me like this. It hurts me a lot."
Annette laughed contemptuously. She said, "My attitude hurts you? Did it ever occur to you and Lance when you confronted me yesterday that your attitude would hurt me?"
"It was only because we were worried about Jessica too much."
"I understand. After all, she is Lance's biological daughter, your biological sister. But I hope you can think straight from now on. Now that you have Jessica as your sister, don't come to me again. Swaying between your two sisters is no different from asking for trouble."
After Annette finished speaking, she planned to leave. She said, "If there is nothing else, may I go now?"
"Ann." Austin grabbed her wrist.
Annette shook his hand off. She said unhappily, "If you have something to say to me, just say it. People don't know you are my brother, and it's no good if someone sees us together."
"If I have to choose between you and Jessica, I'll choose you." Austin's eyes were sincere.
Annette frowned. She thought of the way he treated her these two times.
She shook her head and said, "Austin, you should know that I feel insecure deep down. It's hard for me to trust anyone."
"I mean it," Austin said somewhat hastily. "Ann, do you want to get away from this place with me? I am willing to leave everything behind and take you away. I want nothing but for you to be happy."
His words made Annette feel uncomfortable.
She shook her head. "I never thought of leaving."
Austin held her hand again and said eagerly, "Ann, I mean it. Come with me."
Just as Annette was about to refuse him again, two tall men came out from behind her.
One of them stepped forward and pulled Austin away while the other said to Annette, "Luna Annette, I will escort you back to school."
Annette turned back to look at Austin and turned to leave.
After entering the school, she looked at the man and asked, "Connor sent you here?"
"Yes."
Connor called as she reached the office.
Before she could say anything, Connor said unhappily, "You are so forgetful. Who promised me to stay away from Austin?"
"I didn't go to see him. He came to see me at the school's gate." Annette felt a little aggrieved.
"Do you have any idea why Austin is so nice to you?"
Annette asked curiously, "So? Do you know the reason?"
"I'll show you something tonight, and then you'll know why."
"What is it?"
Connor insisted, saying, "See for yourself when you come back tonight."
Annette suddenly remembered something and said, "Not today, I'm afraid. I promised my colleagues that I would take them to Marcus' bar tonight."
"Going to the bar while pregnant? Good for you."
"Marcus' bar is a nice setting for gatherings."
Connor was unhappy. "You're getting better at enjoying yourself."
It was only when Annette hung up that she remembered that she had forgotten to ask him about the guards.
She thought, 'Connor is so good at changing topics.'
She turned around and looked at the pack guards not far away.
Today, thanks to their presence, she got out of trouble.
She thought of what Austin had just said. For some reason, she felt that Austin was looking at her in a strange way.
That evening, Annette asked Leonard to drive them to Marcus' bar.
At this hour, there were more waiters than customers in the bar.
Marcus entertained the four of them personally.
Alanna whispered, "Actually, this is the first time I have come to such a place."
Sara looked at Annette and said, "Me too. What about you?"
Annette pursed her lips tightly and said, "I used to work in a bar when I was still a student, so I'm familiar with bars. This isn't exactly a bar."
"Well, everything makes sense now. The decoration here is so retro." Alanna went to the bar counter and sat down.
Looking at the photos hanging not far from her, she was a little excited and said, "Hey! The man in the photo is hot."
Marcus stood next to the counter. "That's Bartz," he said as he helped them mix drinks. "He is my father's brother. This was once his bar."
"He was so handsome! Bartz must be very low-key. I haven't heard much about him."
Alanna's words made Marcus pause.
He turned to look at the photo wall and then said calmly, "Bartz was gone. He died years ago."
Alanna quickly covered her mouth and said, "I'm sorry."
"It's fine."
Annette walked to the opposite side of the photo wall and sat down.
After the three had their cocktails, Marcus gave Annette a glass of milk.
Annette took it and said, "We'll chat here for a while. You can go ahead with your work."
"Alright. Let me know if you need anything."
After Marcus left, Alanna began to chat with the others.
Annette was drinking milk, and her gaze fell on Bartz's picture on the wall. He was smiling at the camera while holding a goblet, and the scene put her in a daze.
She had seen that smile before.
But where exactly had she seen it before?
She tried hard to recall, but she had no clue at all.
She was lost in thought as she looked at the picture.
She did not even hear someone talking to her.
Sara gently nudged Annette.
Annette snapped back to reality and asked, "Sara, what's wrong?"
Sara pointed behind her.
Annette's gaze swept past the somewhat reserved Alanna and Eden, and she looked back.
When she saw Connor standing there, she couldn't help but ask, "Why are you here?"
"I'm here as a customer."
Marcus walked over, placed his arm on Connor's shoulder, and said in a relaxed manner, "What would you like to drink, my distinguished guest?"
Connor shook his shoulders and shook off Marcus' arm.
Connor looked at Annette and said, "Order something for me."
Annette smirked at Marcus and said, "Serve him the most expensive drinks you've got here. Now that the rich man is here, what are you waiting for? Offer him the best you have."
Connor calmly said, "She's right. Serve me the best you have here. It's your treat anyway."
As soon as he finished speaking, Annette hurriedly said to Marcus, "A glass of Flame with ice."
Marcus said in disgust, "Luna Annette, that's a bit mean, don't you think? How can you order such a cheap cocktail for the big boss?"
"What are you talking about?" Annette said seriously. "With Connor's temperament, whatever he drinks, he manages to make it look like it is worth millions of dollars, right?"
She looked at Connor pitifully.
Connor looked at her fawning expression and couldn't help but feel amused.
Marcus, on the other hand, had a look of disdain. He said, "Luna Annette, your flattery sounds so casual."
"I'm just telling the truth," Annette said and grinned at Connor.
The other three people at the side could not help but laugh.