Chapter 10
1194 Words
William "Will" Anderson covered his face with his hands, leaning wearily on the dining table. After a moment, he said, "Thank you. You can go now."
"Yes, sir."
As the assistant left, the spacious apartment felt overwhelmingly empty. The bustle world outside seemed miles away. For a long while, liquid dripped from Will's slender fingers, splattering as it hit the floor. One drop... Two drops... Sporadically, he suppressed and forced himself, burdened by invisible chains.
"No... I actually knew..."
Will murmured softly, not knowing who he was speaking to. How could he not feel Lily Thompson's care and dedication over the past five years?
To outsiders, Lily might have seemed like a control maniac, suffocating him with her need to manage everything. But the truth was, he couldn't let her go. He couldn't forgive her, yet he couldn't live without her. He watched her struggle painfully in the cage he had built around her.
How could he have been so cruel?
Lily Thompson, how did I become so terrible?
I'm sorry, your love didn't make me a better person, Lily. Can you forgive me?
The next day, after spending the entire night studying the recipe book, Will carefully placed it by his bedside and drove back to the family estate.
When Will suddenly appeared, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, and his younger brother, Charles Anderson, were all taken aback.
Mrs. Anderson reacted the quickest, her face breaking into a welcoming smile. "Why didn't you let us know you were coming? Are you staying for dinner today?"
Mrs. Anderson was a beautiful woman. Time had only enhanced her elegance, making her even more captivating.
Will quietly observed his mother and said calmly, "No, I won't be staying for dinner. I'm here to inform you that I'm call off my engagement with Sarah."
Mr. Anderson exclaimed, "What? I don't agree!"
Mr. Anderson had gained some weight with age. In his youth, he had been a refined gentleman, and now he carried the distinguished air of a man from a noble family. His anger was quite intimidating.
Unfortunately, Will saw him as nothing more than a paper tiger and didn't even spare him a glance.
Mr. Anderson was infuriated by his son's attitude. However, he had no talent for business. He had never managed the family's affairs, which were previously overseen by Will's grandfather and now by Will himself.
Mr. Anderson had been fortunate throughout his life. In his youth, he relied on his father, and in his old age, he relied on his son, living a smooth and peaceful life.
Will's younger brother, Charles Anderson, resembled their father both in interests and personality. As a result, Mr. Anderson had always been biased towards him, showing an extreme level of favoritism.
In the past, Will had harbored resentment and hatred for this, but now, he no longer cared.
Under the watchful eyes of his family, Will slowly walked in. His demeanor was composed, his breathing steady, and his eyes were filled with cold detachment. He asked Charles Anderson, "Is Grandpa in the backyard?"
Charles Anderson's demeanor was entirely different from Will's. If Will was like a tall, straight pine or bamboo, Charles was a delicate orchid or pavilion grass. He quietly observed his brother, wanting to say something but ultimately just nodded.
Will thanked him and walked towards the backyard. The old man was practicing Tai Chi. Will didn't disturb him, waiting quietly until he finished before handing him a towel and some hot tea.
After wiping his sweat and drinking the tea, the old man frowned and asked, "Why are you here so early?"
Will could ignore the rest of the Anderson family, but not his grandfather. He needed the old man's approval.
"Grandpa, I want to break off my engagement with Sarah."
The old man frowned deeply and said, "Why? Didn't you always admire that girl?"
It was because Will had shown a special interest in Sarah that his grandfather had pushed so hard for their engagement. As for Lily Thompson, a woman who had aborted her own child out of anger, how could she be worthy of his grandson?
"Grandpa, our agreement was to protect Sarah. Even if I don't marry her, I can still protect her."
"Xavier Chen is not someone to be underestimated. You two have known each other for years and hold each other's secrets. You cannot act rashly."
"Don't worry, Grandpa. I have my ways."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
Will hadn't acted against Xavier Chen before for two reasons: Xavier was an old friend of both Will and Lily, and there were indeed suspicions surrounding the death of Xavier's sister, which meant Sarah wasn't entirely innocent.
However, due to Sarah's past kindness to the Anderson family, he had felt obliged to protect her.
But now, he had to break free from Sarah, even if it meant betraying Xavier.
Seeing the unwavering determination in Will's eyes, the old man, who knew his grandson's temperament well, sighed deeply. "Do as you wish."
"Thank you, Grandpa."
Will came and went in a hurry, not sparing a word for his parents.
Mrs. Anderson watched Will's departing figure from the garden and sneered, "As expected, an ungrateful wretch."
Mr. Anderson patted his wife's shoulder. "Calm down, don't get yourself worked up over him."
Mrs. Anderson glared at him. "It's all your fault! If it weren't for you, we wouldn't be in this impossible situation. Damn it."
Mr. Anderson knew that the past was his fault, and he was grateful his wife didn't hold it against him. He quickly tried to soothe her. "It's all my fault, all my fault. Don't worry, I'll handle his affairs. Everything the Anderson family owns will be Charles Anderson 's one day, I promise."
"That's your promise. If you fail, I'll turn against you!" Mrs. Anderson scoffed, her voice tinged with worry.
"What should we do now? If Will breaks off the engagement with Sarah, won't she run to him and reveal everything?"
Mr. Anderson frowned deeply. "That's possible. So, what do you suggest we do?"
Mrs. Anderson gritted her teeth. "If she reveals everything, knowing Will's temperament, we're doomed... Think about how much he cherished that woman back then. If he finds out it was us..."
"Shh, don't say it." Mr. Anderson quickly covered her mouth. "Since we can't control Will, we'll have to deal with Sarah."
The two exchanged a look, a plan forming in their minds.
Leaving the old Anderson estate, Will drove to the apartment he had arranged for Sarah.
Sarah stood there, dumbfounded, as the man, bathed in sunlight and as handsome as a god, approached. Her face flushed slightly, and she quickly walked over to him. "Will, why did you come so early? You didn't even tell me. I haven't even washed my face."
Her words were reminiscent of Lily's from years ago.
But Will's gaze remained indifferent. "I remember you said you wanted to get engaged to me to make Xavier Chen leave you alone, right?"
Sarah nodded. "Yes, but Xavier is a madman. He won't give up easily."
Will lowered his eyes and asked, "Has he come to see you recently?"
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