Chapter 130

Howard's POV

I studied my sister Selena as she sat across from me in my study, her slender fingers nervously tapping against the leather armrest. Her dark hair fell in perfect waves around her shoulders,framing a face that bore our family's trademark strong features softened by feminine grace. The Thompson genes were unmistakable.

My thoughts drifted back to several hours earlier. Annie and I had just picked Lucy up from school, the three of us walking toward the car when my phone rang. Seeing Selena's name on the screen, I motioned for Annie to take Lucy ahead.

"Go on inside with Lucy," I told Annie quietly. "I need to take this."

Annie nodded and guided Lucy toward the house. I remained by the car,watching them walk away before answering the call.

"Howard Thompson," I answered, my tone neutral as always.

"Brother," Selena's voice came through, sounding both hesitant and concerned. "Did Annie's former mother-in-law come to your company to cause trouble for her?"

The question caught me by surprise. My sister rarely involved herself in my personal affairs, and certainaly not with this level of specific detail.

"Yes," I replied simply, wondering how she'd obtained this information.

"What happened?" Selena pressed, genuine concern evident in her voice.

I decided there was no point in concealing what was becoming widely

known anyway. "Annie's ex-husband is Philip Baker, the investment company CEO. Betty is Philip's mother."

"I see!" Selena's voice registered recognition. "But why would she want to cause trouble for Annie?"

I took a measured breath, organizing my thoughts before responding. "Philip's current wife is named Sarah. She was the third party who destroyed Philip and Annie's marriage. But after Philip got together with Sarah, he suddenly realized the person he truly wanted was still Annie."

The memory of Annie's pain stirred something dark within me-a cold anger I rarely allowed myself to feel. But I quickly suppressed it. Annie didn't need my pity; she needed my support and understanding.

"Sarah watches Philip obsessing over Annie every day, and she's realized that if she continues to blindly follow Philip, eventually he'll discard her,"I continued, my voice even despite my distaste for discussing such petty drama. "So she's actively looking for her next patron-someone to finance her expensive lifestyle. Unfortunately, I've become her target."

There was irony in Sarah's calculation, and I couldn't help but find it somewhat darkly amusing. The woman's self-perception was remarkably inflated,believing every man would fall at her feet.

"She constantly creates situations trying to damage my relationship with Annie," I explained. "But Annie effortlessly neutralizes each attempt. This infuriates Sarah, so I guess she runs to Betty, distorting the truth and claiming Annie has targeted her. Betty, wanting to defend her daughter-in-law,came to our company building, making a scene andattempting to damage Annie's reputation. Annie simply called the police."

Thinking about Annie's decisive handling of the situation, I felt a surge of

admiration. She was no longer the woman who would silently endure mistreatment-she had learned to stand up for herself.

"However,Betty is rather stubborn," I added. "Even knowing that Sarah instigated everything, she still believes Sarah is blameless and Annie is at fault. In reality, Annie's mind is completely occupied with work and Lucy."

And me. of course, I thought to myself, the corner of my mouth lifting slightly at the unspoken addition.

After a long pause, Selena hesitantly asked, "So you're saying that all of Betty's efforts are essentially paving the way for Sarah? Making it easier for Sarah to marry you?"

"Yes," I acknowledged simply.

"Does Philip know about this?" Selena's voice held disbelief.

"Probably not." I answered, while mentally adding that Philip didn't even know the child in Sarah's womb wasn't his. That secret would eventually become Annie's most powerful trump card.

Changing the subject, I asked,"How did you find out about all this?"

"Because Betty came to our Long Island house," Selena revealed frankly."She was trying to convince Mother to create problems for Annie."

"Oh?" I kept my tone neutral, though this information was concerning.

"Don't worry," Selena quickly added. "Mother didn't believe them."

I knew my mother was easily influenced by others. I suspected the only reason MMother hadn't been swayed was because Selena had been present.

"Thank you," I said simply.

"We're siblings," Selena replied, sounding slightly embarrassed."No need for such formality."

I deliberately slowed my speech, "Isn't your company currently lacking business partners?"

Selena seemed surprised by my sudden change of topic but answered honestly,"Yes,we are."

"Are you free today?" I asked calmly.

After a moment's consideration. Selena replied enthusiastically, "Of course!"

"I have several projects that were originally intended for collaboration with Philip," I said evenly. "After careful evaluation, I believe your company could handle them just as well. Come to my house, and we can discuss the details."

Selena's excitement was palpable through the phone. "Brother, I'll be there after dinner!"

Now,hours later, Selena sat across from me in my study, her eyes wide with disbelief as she stared at me.

"Don't you hate me?" she asked, her voice smaller than I'd heard it in years.

This was clearly a question that had been weighing on her mind for some tíme.

"Why would I hate you?" I asked, genuinely puzzled.

Selena lowered her voice, as though confessing something shameful."Well,Mother had originally planned to the company to me and nothing to you."

She explained that she knew many families had been permanently divided over inequitable distributions of family assets. She'd assumed that even if I didn't outright hate her. I would certainly want nothing to do with her.

I couldn't help but smile slightly at her concern. "You think I would care about such trivial interests?"

"I suppose not," Selena admitted, visibly relieved that I still cared about her.

She looked at me reproachfully. "Then why didn't you tell me sooner? I've wanted to collaborate with you for a long time but was afraid to bring it up. I was worried you might still resent the company situation."

Selena explained that while our last interaction had suggested I wasn't holding a grudge. she still feared I was merely being diplomatic, that I truly did resent her. After all, beyond discussing the company's issues. I hadn't offered her much substantial assistance.

Looking at her troubled expression, I couldn't suppress a small laugh."In your mind, is your brother really so petty?"

"Not exactly," Selena responded without hesitation. "It's just that most people around me would care about company ownership, and they'd fight for it. I subconsciously assumed you'd be like everyone else."

I gave her a mildly exasperated look. "I've watched you grow up since you were a child. You should know what kind of person I am."

Selena flashed an ingratiating smile. "Well, when substantial interests are involved..."

I found her perspective somewhat tiresome, but in my view, these matters were in the past. There was no point in dwelling on them.

Without changing my expression. I said, "I should warn you about one thing. With others, my requirements might not be particuarly high. But you're different-you're my sister. So I'll be more demanding with you."

Selena understood thatI merely wanted her to approach these projects with seriousness. My hope was that through these collaborations,she would gain valuable experience and knowledge. This way.even if we stopped working together in the future, she would have the skills to succeed on her own.

Without hesitation, Selena replied, "No problem."

I handed her a stack of documents. "Take these project collaboration proposals back with you, develop them, and submit them to me.I'll review them for you."

Selena accepted the files with evident pleasure. "I will."

With my guidance to sharpen her abilities, it wouldn't be long before her skills would be among the best in the industry.

Selena could barely conceal her smile. "Brother, I promise I'll put two hundred percent effort into these projects! It's getting late, so I should be going now!"

"Very well," I replied.

I escorted Selena to the door,glancing at my watch-it was already nine-thirty at night.

After seeing Selena off, my thoughts no longer lingered on Sarah and Betty's schemes but shifted to Annie. I wondered if she remembered our agreement from earlier today about spending the night together. The thought stirred a pleasant anticipation within me.

I left my study and headed toward the living room, hoping that Annie had already put Lucy to bed so we could have some time alone.