Caught completely off guard, Annabelle Linton was thrown to the ground.

Her hand landed on a pile of glass shards, slicing it open.

Blood instantly began to flow.

But in the darkness, it was difficult to see.

Leona Grant looked down on her, a cold smirk on his lips. "I won’t kill you. You aren’t worthy of me dirtying my own hands!"

Annabelle Linton scoffed, her eyes bloodshot as she screamed, "It’s because you don’t dare, isn’t it? If you have the guts, then kill me! Once I’m dead, I’ll have no more attachments! Once I’m dead, I won’t have to see you anymore! Once I’m dead, I’ll be completely free! So kill me!"

’She hated having her life controlled by others.’

’She hated this powerless existence.’

’And she despised the hand fate had dealt her!’

’Why? In the past, she had only loved one person. Now, all she wanted was to live her own life in peace. Why was that so difficult?’

’How could life push her to the point where she had nothing left to live for?’

When Stuart saw Leona Grant throw Annabelle Linton to the ground, he broke free from the men in black and charged forward to bite Leona Grant.

A dangerous glint flashed in Leona Grant’s eyes as he sent Stuart flying several meters away with a single kick.

’Aaron Wyatt’s pup, is it?’

He let out a cold laugh, his voice sinister. "Just like its master—an animal!"

"Stuart!"

Seeing Leona Grant kick Stuart to the ground, Annabelle Linton cried out and ran over to him.

The kick had been brutal, and Stuart collapsed onto the ground.

Annabelle Linton cradled him in her arms, but the blood from her wound stained his white fur, a stark and conspicuous crimson.

Leona Grant’s pupils constricted.

’She’s hurt!’

’How is she hurt?’

’Could she have gotten hurt when I threw her to the ground just now?’

Leona Grant’s gaze sharpened. His eyes immediately fell on the patch of blood on the floor, and a flicker of alarm crossed his face.

He started to take a step forward but forced himself to stop.

’This ungrateful woman. What does it matter to me if she dies?’

’Besides, I’m certain that if I take one step closer, she’ll just shove me away viciously!’

’A single look from her, a single gesture, could leave me riddled with wounds!’

’She gets this worked up over a dog. If she would just choose me... Forget one dog, I’d give her every dog in the world. I’d even wipe out the entire breed just so hers would be the only one left. It would all be a trivial matter!’

’What a clueless woman. How absurd!’

Leona Grant scoffed and turned to leave.

But after only a few steps, the image of her bleeding filled his mind.

His hands clenched into fists. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

’This is insane.’

’This is all so fucking insane!’

’Just one little cut on her, and my heart aches like hell!’

Leona Grant spun back around and shot a look at the men in black.

The men in black pulled Stuart from Annabelle Linton’s embrace. Leona Grant then crouched down, swept her up into his arms, and started walking.

Annabelle Linton froze for a second before snapping back to reality. "Let me go!"

Leona Grant shot her a murderous glare as she struggled. "Fucking move again! Just try it! I’ll make Aaron Wyatt eat a bullet!"

The threat worked. Annabelle Linton stopped struggling.

A shadow fell over Leona Grant’s eyes again. He got into the car, still holding her in his arms.