Chapter 718 Blow Smoke on Her Small Face

Anabelle curled her fingers. Alpha’s cold, sharp voice reached her ear. “Why are you silent? Anabelle, I hate your silence. I’ll give you a chance to explain. Carefully explain what happened that year. Why did you seek out Rory? Why did you enter Bounty’s room? Why did you go out with him?”

This wasn’t the first time Alpha had asked these questions, and Anabelle remained as confused as ever. She couldn't explain. She didn't remember what happened. On Bounty’s birthday, Alpha took her to the Augustine family’s old house for dinner. Halfway there, she felt unwell. She doesn’t recall anything after that, only waking to find herself in bed with Rory.

She’d watched the security footage. Seeing herself searching for Rory and entering Bounty’s room shocked her speechless. She had no memory of any of it. Yet, the person in the video was undeniably her.

She didn’t know Rory. Before that day, she only knew him as her brother-in-law; they’d never spoken privately. The events were inexplicable. Anabelle had tried to explain, but her account sounded flimsy and absurd in the face of the evidence. No one believed her.

That day, a terrible thing happened to Bounty. Her nine-month-old baby was removed from her womb. Anabelle and Alpha stood in the hallway, watching as the injured child was carried away. Bounty’s cries echoed through the house. Day after day, a pall hung over the Augustine family, a wound opening between Anabelle and Alpha that would never fully heal.

Anabelle felt immense sadness and regret for Bounty and the child. “Where are we going now?” she asked, changing the subject.

Alpha avoided mentioning Bounty; the topic only deepened their despair. He pursed his lips. “Come back with me.”

“I can’t get a divorce certificate,” Anabelle countered, “So take me home first.”

“My forehead hurts,” Alpha insisted. “Let’s go to my place. You can take care of me.” The mention of his injury softened Anabelle. He'd taken the blow, protecting her.

She knew he loved her; she always had. Sadly, he couldn’t afford to love her.

“Okay, but I’ll be back after I treat you,” Anabelle conceded. He did have a nasty gash on his forehead.

Alpha looked at her with a wry smile. “Why are you scared? Afraid I’ll keep you overnight? It’s not like we haven’t slept together before.”

What was he talking about? He used to joke like that when he was younger. The top businessman in Imperial, shedding his expensive suit, became a fearsome beast, making her blush. Years later, a man in his fifties, he was still… as foolish as ever. The older he got, the more erratic he became.

Anabelle turned to look out the window, ignoring him.

Back at the mansion, Alpha went to his study. Anabelle retrieved a small medicine box and followed him.

She reached the study door when Alpha’s deep voice boomed from within, “What’s wrong with this financial report? Do it again!”

He was furious. Anabelle peeked through a crack in the door. Documents lay scattered across the handmade rug; Aiden knelt, retrieving them. Alpha sat in his office chair, wearing a dark gray shirt, a cigar between his fingers. In the hazy smoke, his furrowed brow conveyed his displeasure, his anger palpable.

Anabelle knew he was in a terrible mood. Aiden, his longtime assistant, rarely received such reprimands.

Should she go in? No. She knew better than to intrude during his outbursts; his anger always fell on her. This time, it was Bounty’s situation that had him so distraught.

Anabelle turned to leave.

Alpha’s powerful voice stopped her. “Where are you going? Come in!” He'd seen her.

She halted. The door opened; Aiden emerged with the documents. “Madam, the boss wants you to come in.”

Anabelle wanted to say she’d heard him! Hesitantly, she entered the office. Aiden closed the door behind her and went downstairs, encountering the maid carrying coffee.

“No coffee needed,” Aiden said. “From now on, don’t go upstairs. Don’t bother the boss and madam, no matter how urgent.”

The maid nodded. Aiden looked at the closed office door. Years of working for his boss had taught him his patterns. Whenever the boss lost his temper, he turned to the madam.

At first, the boss called the madam into the office. They didn't emerge for a long time. When he finally came out, the madam was in his arms, covered by his coat. Later, she refused to enter, so the boss went straight to the bedroom and kicked the door open, cursing all the way.

In the office, Anabelle placed the medicine box on the desk. She looked up at Alpha, her cold almond eyes meeting his. “Put out the cigarette first. I’ll treat your wound.”

He grabbed her wrist. Anabelle froze. He pulled hard, throwing her into his lap. His thighs were powerful, the impact painful. Before she could react, he lowered his head and blew a mouthful of smoke into her face.

“Cough, cough…” Anabelle choked, coughing twice. Her eyes were red and wet. “Alpha, what are you doing?”

Alpha looked at her, his lips thin and tight. “What am I doing? Don’t you think I’m in a bad mood? When I’m in a bad mood, I don’t need wound care… I need something else from you.”