Chapter 413

Two days of unbridled passion unfolded at the hot spring resort. Jeremy and Annabelle remained secluded, indulging in their desires and having meals delivered to their room. They seemed to have unleashed their inner wildness.

Annabelle reveled in Jeremy's unrestrained ardor, fueling her belief that his feelings for her had deepened. His past flings had never reached this level of intensity.

As lunchtime approached and their departure drew near, a pang of reluctance settled in Annabelle's heart. Her affection for Jeremy had blossomed during their seclusion.

"Mr. Hughes," she pleaded, her voice tinged with vulnerability, "I can't bear the thought of being apart from you. Couldn't we delay our departure until tonight?"

The immensity of the future stretched before her, yet all she craved was the present—every moment spent by his side.

Jeremy declared in a cold, emotionless voice, "Starting today, you're leaving Jipsburg City. You can't return without my permission."

Annabelle was taken aback. "Leave Jipsburg City?" she asked, thinking she must have misheard.

"Yes."

"Why? Why do you want me to leave Jipsburg City? Where would I go? Mr. Hughes, I can't just leave without you!" Annabelle panicked.

His abrupt demand fueled a storm of questions in her mind. What triggered this sudden change? All her efforts, almost on the verge of fruition, were met with callous indifference. It clashed sharply with their recent intimacy. She refused to leave.

Memories surfaced. He'd forced his previous secretary to resign. Now, it was her turn to be banished from Jipsburg City. Did Natalie mean so much to him that he could readily abandon her?

Jeremy handed her a bank card. "Leave Jipsburg City. If there's a need, I'll go to you. You can marry someone else or do whatever else you want. There's five million dollars in this card."

Despite his intimacy with Annabelle, a gnawing fear harbored in his heart. Natalie's call two days ago served as a stark reminder. He couldn't lose her.

Annabelle stared at the card, taking a deep breath. "Didn't you promise I could stay as long as I behaved? Haven't I been compliant? I cater to your every whim, and when you lose interest, I'm simply your secretary again. Haven't I been flawless at work? Is this still not enough?"

Her fists clenched, her heart a constricted knot. It had to be Natalie. This ordinary woman threatened to unravel all her meticulously laid plans.

"No," Jeremy replied curtly.

He rose, methodically putting on his clothes. The finality of his demeanor brooked no argument.

Annabelle's face drained of color. "Since starting college in Jipsburg City, I vowed never to leave. Mr. Hughes, you can't be this selfish. I can resign, disappear from your sight entirely." Her voice trembled with forced resolve.

But a silent vow echoed in her mind. She wouldn't leave. She was determined to be his wife. She wouldn't let anything tear them apart.

Jeremy studied Annabelle. He acknowledged her recent impeccable behavior and the promises she kept. With a curt nod, he conceded, "Okay."

Later that evening, after finishing work, Skylar received a call from Joe. He mentioned being nearby and offered to pick her up. She readily accepted, as she hadn't driven that day and he had dropped her off earlier.

When work was done, she wasted no time heading to the curb, where Joe's car awaited conspicuously.