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The blind billionaire's fake finance - Chapter 24


Chapter 24


After rushing outside, Annie instinctively let out a sigh of relief. The tightness in her chest from earlier made her acutely aware of how fast her heart was racing now.
She could vaguely guess that Finn might be teasing her, but she didn't dare to be entirely sure. After all, Finn's usual demeanor was cold and aloof-not the type to enjoy playful banter like that.
...
Later that night, Annie lay lazily on the sofa, watching TV. She stretched her legs languidly while nibbling on the fruit Keelin had prepared for her. Though it was already late, sleep evaded her. The show she was watching grew increasingly engaging, and every now and then, a soft, amused giggle escaped her lips.
Just as she stretched with a yawn and prepared to stand, the faint sound of footsteps reached her ears from the staircase above. She looked up to see Finn descending slowly.
Almost unconsciously, she stepped closer to help him. Finn, for his part, accepted her support with ease, leaning slightly against her without hesitation.
"What are you doing down here? If you needed something, why didn't you call me?" 
Annie asked softly.
Finn gave a faint smile, his weight pressing a little more against her shoulder. 
"I just wanted a drink of water."
Annie carefully guided him to the sofa and made sure he was seated comfortably before heading off to fetch the water. She returned, handing him the glass with care. Finn took a slow sip, his expression calm as he casually started a conversation.
"Why are you still up this late?" he asked, his tone light but curious.
Annie casually mentioned that she was watching a movie and wasn't ready to sleep yet. Finn exchanged a few polite words before the conversation trailed off, leaving a hint of regret as he stood up and asked Annie to help him back upstairs.
Annie carefully took his hand and guided him back to his room, ensuring he got to the bed safely. As she helped Finn lie down, however, she lost her balance.
Before she could steady herself, she tumbled forward, landing on top of him, her forehead lightly bumping against his shoulder.
"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to. Are you hurt?" 
Annie exclaimed in a flurry of concern, her hands instinctively rubbing his shoulder as she apologized over and over.
Finn tilted his head to look at her. Never before had they been this close.
At this proximity, he could clearly see her delicate, refined features-the petite curve of her chin, the soft pink hue of her lips, and her large, enchanting eyes. Even without makeup, there was an unexplainable allure about her.
He stared at her, unblinking, his gaze growing deeper and more intense with every passing second.
Unconsciously, he swallowed hard, a strange urge stirring within him-a desire to pull her closer, right here, right now.
"Hey, are you hurt?" Annie's worried voice broke the spell. Seeing Finn's prolonged silence, she became even more flustered, assuming he must be in pain. She anxiously shook his arm, repeating her question.
Only then did Finn blink, his voice hoarse as he reassured her, "I'm fine."
"You should get some rest, Sofia. It's already late."
Finn's voice was rougher than usual, his gaze lingering on Annie a little too long.
Annie felt a vague sense of unease, though she couldn't quite pinpoint why. It was as if... Finn was pretending to be blind.
For some inexplicable reason, the way he had looked at her earlier-almost absentmindedly-gave her the unsettling impression that he could actually see.
And not just see, but observe her intently, like a hunter locking eyes on his prey.
...
The next day, Annie hurried to the restaurant, trying to make it in time for her shift. Near the entrance, she spotted Denis chatting casually with some coworkers.
When Denis saw her, a fleeting look of unease crossed his face, but it disappeared almost instantly. He nodded at her in greeting, acting as if nothing were out of the ordinary, though his eyes followed her every step until she disappeared behind the door.
Throughout the workday, Annie couldn't shake off her discomfort. She felt it-the weight of an unrelenting gaze fixed on her every move.
It gnawed at her, leaving her feeling vaguely disturbed and on edge.
Distracted and unsettled, Annie slipped while preparing food for a customer, the blade of her knife grazing her finger.
Blood quickly dripped from Annie's finger, staining the edge of the bread she was holding a faint crimson.
"Ouch!" she gasped, dropping the knife with a sharp clang. A piercing pain shot through her arm, making her squeeze her eyes shut in reflex.
Before she could fully process it, warmth enveloped her hand, accompanied by a low, husky voice from above.
"Are you okay?"
Startled, Annie instinctively pulled her hand back and snapped her eyes open.
She hadn't even noticed Denis approaching, but now he was so close that she could catch his faint, distinct scent.
“I’m okay. Thanks for your concern,” Annie replied, holding a napkin tightly over her bleeding hand as she took another step back, putting some distance between herself and Denis.
Denis noticed her retreat and a fleeting look of dejection passed through his eyes. He lowered his head slightly, lost in thought.
Annie, pretending nothing had happened, turned back to her work.
But after that, she began to notice it.
Denis seemed to be intentionally drawing closer to her. When she brought food to the customers, she would find him standing nearby, as if by coincidence.
When she chatted with patrons, she would occasionally catch him watching her intently from a distance.
And when she cleared tables, Denis would unconsciously come over to help, standing just a little too close.
His overly familiar and persistent attention made Annie increasingly uneasy. She realized she couldn’t let this go on.
By the end of the shift, as she saw Denis standing near her while she spoke to a customer, she made up her mind. Turning to him just as she was about to head back inside, Annie said, “Do you have some time later?”
Denis’s face lit up immediately, his eyes bright with hope as he nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, I’m free.”
Annie sighed quietly, then continued in a measured tone, “Good. Let’s talk after we’re done here.”
There were things she needed to make clear—things that couldn’t wait any longer.








Chapter 25

When work ended, Denis followed Annie to a nearby coffee shop and chose a table by the window. He felt a spark of joy at having some time alone with her, but he didn't expect her first words to strike him like a thunderbolt, freezing his expression in place.
"Denis, I'm already married. My husband and I love each other deeply and live together in perfect harmony," she began, her voice calm but unwavering.
"I'm not the right person for you to pursue right now."
Denis's smile faltered, and an awkward stiffness took its place. He stared at Annie, utterly baffled by what he had just heard.
"What are you talking about? Married? When did you get married?"
His eyes widened, his voice tinged with confusion and disbelief. From the moment he had met Annie, she had always seemed unattached, hadn't she?
"You don't need to make such an excuse just to brush me off. If you don't like me, say it outright, Annie," he said, his tone tinged with both frustration and resignation.
"I won't cling to you or make you uncomfortable anymore."
Lowering his head, Denis tried to hide the flicker of disappointment in his eyes.
Annie observed his downcast face and let out a quiet sigh.
"I'm not lying, Denis. I really did get married not long ago," she said softly.
"My husband and I both prefer to keep our relationship private, away from the scrutiny of others, to avoid unnecessary complications. That's why I haven't mentioned it until now."
"I didn't expect this to make you misunderstand that I was still single. I'm truly sorry about that," Annie said sincerely, her voice tinged with regret.
Denis's expression shifted from confusion to anger, his eyes clouded with bitterness.
"So, this means you've been deceiving me all along? Pretending to be single to lure me in?" he accused, his voice sharp.
"And now that I've fallen for you, you casually drop the bombshell that you're married? How is that fair, Annie?"
Denis's sudden outburst of anger caught Annie off guard, leaving her perplexed. Why was he lashing out at her as though she were some flirtatious woman who had schemed to seduce and ensnare him?
"I don't know what I've done to make you misunderstand me like this," Annie replied calmly, though her tone carried a hint of firmness.
"But I want to make one thing clear: I never intended to lead you on or make you fall for me. That's all I have to say."
Not wanting to prolong the conversation, Annie stood up and walked away, leaving Denis to stare after her. His face betrayed a mix of frustration, regret, and a lingering hint of anger.
That evening, Annie fidgeted with the hem of her dress, glancing nervously around the grand hall. 
It was her first time attending such an extravagant event, and the unfamiliar atmosphere left her uneasy.
Tonight, she was accompanying Finn to an elite social gathering, a glittering soirée attended by the wealthy and powerful. Each guest seemed to radiate confidence, their designer outfits and polished demeanors adding to Annie's growing sense of discomfort.
They were discussing topics Annie couldn't quite grasp, and she wasn't used to being in such a crowded and extravagant setting.
"Sofia, are you okay? Why do I feel like you're a bit uneasy?" Finn tilted his head, his sharp gaze locking onto Annie, making her feel as though he could see straight through her.
Annie instinctively touched her nose, clearly flustered. 
There was no way she could admit that this was her first time attending such a lavish event.
"I'm fine. Maybe I'm just not feeling well, so I'm not quite used to this atmosphere," she replied lightly. "Do you need to meet anyone? I can help push your wheelchair."
Since Finn's eyesight wasn't convenient, Annie always took charge of maneuvering his wheelchair when they went out.
Finn thought for a moment before mentioning a name. Following her memory, Annie helped guide him to find the person. Judging by their interactions, Finn seemed to share a close relationship with the man, so Annie tactfully stepped aside to give them some privacy.
She wandered aimlessly eventually finding herself on the rooftop terrace to get some fresh air. There, she stumbled upon a group of elegant women, clearly from the upper class, chatting amongst themselves.
Noticing Annie, one of the women-wearing a sleek, white spaghetti-strap dress-walked over to her, raising a brow with a mocking smirk.
"Are you Sofia? Why on earth are you wearing such a cheap dress to an event like this?"
Annie blinked in confusion at the stranger before her. She wasn't Sofia, so she had no idea that Sofia, whenever she appeared, always donned the latest designs from renowned fashion houses, accessorized with expensive jewelry, flaunting her wealth with an air of arrogance.
Meanwhile, Annie's humble and modest demeanor today couldn't have been more different.
"I am Sofia. Did we know each other before?" Annie asked innocently, her clear eyes blinking with curiosity.
The woman sneered, a mocking smile playing on her lips.
"Know you? Of course not!"
"How could I possibly associate with someone as poor and ignorant as you? That's hilarious!"
Annie blinked again, still not quite understanding the hostility. However, the sound of snickers from the group of women around her was unmistakable. She glanced at them in confusion, only to be met with expressions of disdain and ridicule.
Feeling out of place, Annie quietly stepped aside, seeking solace elsewhere on the terrace.
Finally, she found a quiet corner where the air was crisp, and the night was serene. The laughter and judgment faded into the background, leaving her alone with her thoughts and the calming breeze. 
Peace at last.
Annie stood by the terrace for a while, letting the breeze soothe her thoughts. Estimating that Finn had probably finished his conversation with his associate, she adjusted her dress and decided to find him. Her eyes scanned the crowd until they landed on him, standing in a corner with his associate, both holding glasses of wine.
A smile bloomed on her face, and she took a step forward, intending to join them.
But before she could get close, her arm was seized in a firm grip, yanking her backward.
At the same time, a sharp, shrill voice cut through the hum of the crowd, drawing the attention of everyone nearby.
“Sofia, why did you steal my friend’s diamond necklace?” the woman accused, her tone dripping with contempt.
“Are you so poor that you’ve lost your mind? Or is it that after marrying Finn, he refused to give you money, so now you resort to such disgusting tricks?”









Chapter 26

Annie tilted her head, narrowing her eyes at the person who had just raised their voice. It was one of the individuals who had earlier stood beside the girl in the white dress, accusing her. 
They were all in it together.
A group of malicious people intent on framing her.
Annie yanked her hand free from the girl's grasp, noticing that her wrist had reddened from being held too tightly. She looked at the girl, her voice still soft and composed.
"What do you mean? What exactly did I steal?"
"Do you have any proof?"
Unprepared for Annie's calm rebuttal, the girl momentarily froze. But within seconds, she puffed out her chest, raising her chin defiantly as she countered.
"My word is proof enough. Now, get upstairs this instant!"
"Apologize to my friend for your disgusting behavior earlier!"
The woman persisted in accusing Annie, her voice growing louder and more commanding, drawing an increasing number of onlookers. Annie knew full well that this girl was deliberately trying to frame her, but just as she opened her mouth to defend herself, she raised her voice even higher, drowning out anything Annie might say.
"Sofia, if you've done something wrong, you should own up to it. Stealing is despicable!"
"Let's make this simple-my friend doesn't want to make things hard for you. As long as you return the diamond bracelet to her, she won't pursue it further. I'm being honest here!"
Every word was an accusation against Annie, and the more she listened, the more unbearable it became. Moreover, the girl's grip on her wrist tightened, causing Annie sharp pain.
Caught in confusion, unsure of what to do next, a firm voice suddenly cut through the tension from behind her.
"Stop it! What do you think you're doing to my wife?"
It was Finn's friend-the one who had been helping him push his wheelchair earlier-now guiding him closer to the commotion. Finn turned his head, his gaze directed precisely at the woman, whose flushed face contorted with indignation. His tone was icy as he questioned her.
"What are you implying? You think a few ridiculous words are enough to accuse my wife of theft?"
For a fleeting moment, the girl felt as though Finn wasn't blind at all.
A trace of panic crossed her face as she instinctively took a step back, shaking her head repeatedly.
At the same time, Finn's hand reached out unerringly, gently holding Annie's. His fingers brushed against hers in a comforting gesture, slowly soothing her shaken heart.
"What theft? She's the one who did wrong," the girl retorted, her voice tinged with desperation. "Finn, you can't defend her blindly because she's your wife."
Finn let out a cold laugh.
"Blindly? Fine."
"Then what about you? Accusing Sofia of stealing without any evidence-does that make you righteous?"
"Check the cameras. A hotel this grand-don't tell me there aren't any cameras that captured your friend's necklace being stolen?"
Finn's tone was calm, accompanied by an unbothered smile.
Annie tilted her head slightly, watching as the girl's face shifted from ghostly pale to a furious red, like a changing palette of colors.
Then the girl forced a weak smile.
"Cameras? Come on, it's such a trivial matter. Isn't it a bit excessive to involve the hotel and disturb everyone just for this?"
Her laugh was hollow, her voice lowering as she tried to save face.
"Look, my friend isn't the type to make things difficult for others. She's actually very kindhearted. Sofia needs to meet her, sincerely apologize for stealing, and she'll let it go. No harm done."
Her words made Finn laugh outright, the sound laced with mockery.
"Apologize for what? Sofia didn't do anything wrong-why should she apologize?"
"Enough talking. You have two choices: either we check the hotel cameras together, or we do it ourselves and expose your ridiculous stunt in front of everyone here."
Finn's voice turned icy, his demeanor unyielding. There was no room for retreat.
At this moment, that girl was truly afraid. Finn's voice grew even harsher.
"Don't you dare, Selena?"
Selena trembled uncontrollably but tried to appear composed, glancing at the two of them.
"Fine, let's check it. Who's afraid of whom?"
Seeing Selena's expression, Annie felt calmer. She had already guessed the answer.
She was nothing more than a plaything for these rich girls in this place.
They didn't like her, so they found joy in humiliating her like a fool.
The three of them headed down to the security room to review the footage, followed by a small crowd from the party who came along for the spectacle.
Annie pushed Finn's wheelchair, his face still as cold and emotionless as ever, but it gave her a strange sense of reassurance.
Once they arrived at the security room, the guards were, unsurprisingly, very accommodating. Hearing that Selena's friend had lost a diamond necklace, they diligently pulled up the footage to help.
"What's the value of the necklace? We can assist you by contacting the police for an investigation," one of the hotel's professional and cautious security personnel suggested.
Selena's eyes flickered slightly. When her gaze met her friend Lisa's, both of them instinctively looked away.
"Lisa, aren't you the owner of the necklace?" Finn's voice carried a cutting edge. 
"How much is it worth? The security guard is asking."
"Wasn't your friend here super eager when you lost it? Must be really expensive, right? Go on, answer him."
Finn curled his lips into a faint smirk, uncharacteristically speaking more than usual. Annie tilted her head, observing Lisa closely. Lisa's face had gone completely pale, as white as a sheet of paper.
Selena tried to deflect the guard's question, forcing a stiff smile. 
"There's no need to blow this out of proportion. Let's justreview the footage and handle everything privately."
From start to finish, Finn and Annie remained silent, neither of them saying another word. Annie, in particular, was focused intently on the security footage playing on the screen in front of them.
And as the recording reached its conclusion, a subtle smile began to curve at the corner of her lips.









Chapter 27

In the video, everything was captured clearly.
Very clearly.
After Annie left, the corners of Lisa's lips curled into a mocking smile, quickly shifting into contempt. She scoffed softly, leaned over, and whispered something to Selena, causing the two to laugh.
Seizing the moment when no one was paying attention, Selena helped Lisa remove the elegant diamond necklace from her neck and discreetly hid it in a secluded corner of the hotel.
Selena winked at Lisa, signaling that everything was in order, and then walked away.
The video ended there, as the rest was already known to everyone. Selena accused Annie of being a thief and humiliated her with the most vicious words imaginable.
After hearing Annie's account of the situation and reviewing the footage from the camera, Finn let out a cold laugh.
"So this is what you call a thief, in your own words, Selena? Such a masterful twist of the narrative."
"And Lisa," Finn's gaze shifted, his voice sharp and unyielding. "You truly are clever, aren't you? Letting your friend act under the guise of justice to stir up chaos in this place, insulting my wife. And you? Playing the role of the pitiful victim who's been robbed?"
"How does it feel?"
Finn's relentless questioning made both Lisa and Selena's faces turn pale. It was evident neither had anticipated the situation escalating to this point.
"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue? Weren't you both so vocal just a moment ago?"
"Have you suddenly gone mute?"
The two women remained silent, their faces stiff, as faint murmurs from the crowd reached their ears. Whispers condemning their shamelessness, accusing them of deceitfully slandering Annie, and even mocking their stupidity for humiliating themselves so publicly.
Annie stood with her arms crossed, watching the scene unfold alongside Finn, amusement glinting in her eyes.
"Still not speaking? Truly lost your voice now?"
"Lisa?" Finn's tone sharpened as he emphasized her name, his smirk laced with derision. "Are you hearing me? Say something!"
Lisa's scalp tingled, and a chilling dread crawled down her spine. Fear clung to her, suffocating.
"Say... say what?"
Her lips were dry, trembling. 
It took her a long moment to force the words out, her voice raspy and hoarse. She could hear Finn's mocking laughter echo around her.
"What else? Apologize to my wife."
"And your despicable friend Selena too-she owes Sofia an apology for her vile insults. Don't you think that's the least you should do?"
Lisa turned her gaze toward Annie, her eyes brimming with resentment. In that fleeting moment, it was as though Annie had become the bully as if she were the one cornering Lisa.
Lisa bit her lip, her body trembling, her shoulders shaking as if weighed down by an unbearable burden. After what felt like an eternity, she finally whispered the words, "I'm sorry," her voice barely audible.
All the while, the eyes of the crowd bore down on her, their judgment cutting like knives. It was as though she had just endured the greatest humiliation of her life.
Finn tilted his head slightly, his tone calm but firm as he spoke to Annie.
"Do you want to forgive them? If you're uncomfortable, don't. No one can force you."
Before Annie could respond, Lisa let out a mocking laugh, her voice sharp and cutting.
"Finn, don't push it too far. I apologized to your wife only because there were too many people watching. If I acted arrogant, they'd judge me for it."
"It's not because I fear your so-called authority. What's so special about you anyway? A family outcast from a billionaire household is no better than a pauper."
"What right do you have to act high and mighty with me? Do you think just because we're in a crowd, I won't call you out or ridicule you?"
Perhaps it was the weight of humiliation, but Lisa shouted loud enough for everyone to hear, her composure completely shattered. After all, the moment she had falsely accused Annie, the crowd's perception of her had already begun to shift.
Now, she didn't care about her reputation anymore and wasn't afraid to drag Annie and Finn down with her.
But Finn merely let out an amused "Oh?" before curving his lips into a cold smile.
"And so? What does my status have to do with you?"
"Isn't apologizing for your mistakes just basic human decency? Be honest-did you even go to school back then?"
Finn let out a derisive laugh, completely ignoring the darkened expressions on Lisa and Selena's faces. This time, he didn't even bother to engage further. Feeling his interest fade, he turned to Annie and suggested casually, "Let's leave. Push the wheelchair."
With that, they departed from the conversation, leaving Lisa and Selena standing there, drowning in the scornful gazes of everyone around them.
...
"Don't dwell on these things anymore. Just petty trouble from envious, nasty people. Don't let it get to you."
Finn rarely spoke more than a few words at a time, but his tone was unusually gentle. Annie nodded in understanding, deciding to let the matter slide.
And so, she put it out of her mind.
What she didn't know, however, was that her husband wasn't planning to let things go so easily.
The very next day, during a routine treatment session with Mike, Finn casually brought it up.
"Mike, what do you think about Lisa's father's company? Interested? I'm thinking about acquiring it, but I don't feel like managing it."
Finn's tone was relaxed as he sat back, scrolling leisurely through the news on his phone.
Mike turned around, arching a brow with a faint, mocking smile.
"What's this? Planning to play the domineering CEO and avenge your little wife? Didn't you always say you weren't into these dramatic moves?"
Catching the teasing lilt in Mike's voice, Finn narrowed his eyes and shot him a glare, clearly annoyed.
"So what if I am? Are you in or not? If not, I'll find someone else."
Mike, the eldest son of a billionaire family, had only one true passion besides being a doctor: investing.








Chapter 28

And of course, not an angel investor. Mike doesn't have that much money and kindness.
Hearing Finn's invitation, Mike was genuinely intrigued. After all, Lisa's father's company operated in an industry that had always piqued his interest-jewelry.
"How do you plan to do it?"
Finn blinked thoughtfully, considering for a moment before outlining his plan to Mike. As Finn spoke, Mike seemed increasingly captivated, nodding along with visible enthusiasm. By the end of the explanation, he glanced at Finn with a meaningful smirk.
"I have to admit, for someone who built their company from scratch, you've got a decent head for this."
Finn didn't respond, merely giving Mike a calm, indifferent look.
"Enough with the nonsense. When are you ready to start?"
Mike arched a brow, his smirk widening.
"Anytime."
Finn chuckled, saying he wanted to get started immediately. Mike nodded, signaling his agreement.
...
A few days later.
Annie was in the garden, watering her flowers when her phone buzzed with a call from an unknown number. She hesitated for a moment, curiosity winning out as she picked up.
"Hello?"
The panicked voice on the other end startled her.
"Sofia, please help me. Only you can save me!"
"Sofia, I'm begging you... please!"
The desperate plea rang out, the voice both familiar and unfamiliar, leaving Annie momentarily at a loss. She frowned, confused, and asked cautiously,
"Who are you? Why are you suddenly asking me for help?"
The voice on the other end went silent for a moment as if the speaker had realized how abrupt and inappropriate their call might seem. After a brief pause, the voice continued, laced with hesitation.
"It's me... Lisa. I... I know what my friend and I did to frame you before was wrong. I truly regret it now."
"Please, don't retaliate against me like this."
Her voice began to waver, trembling with suppressed emotion.
"My father's company is in serious trouble. The cash flow chain is completely broken, and recently, all our partners have been backing out of contracts, breaching agreements without compensation."
"His company is on the verge of bankruptcy. It's teetering on the edge! Please, don't treat my family like this."
"I'm truly desperate... I regret everything. Please, I beg you to help me save my family's company..."
Lisa's voice cracked as she pleaded, her sobs making her tone sound heartbreakingly genuine.
However, from the very beginning, Annie couldn't quite understand what Lisa was talking about.
What did her father's company's impending bankruptcy have to do with her?
How could she or Finn have possibly caused such a situation? She simply didn't have the means or the power to make something like this happen.
"How can I help you, Lisa?" Annie asked, her tone calm but filled with confusion. 
"You know as well as I do that neither Finn nor I have the ability to do anything like that."
"How could we have possibly influenced your father's company to the extent of pushing it toward bankruptcy? It just doesn't make sense."
Her words were honest, straightforward, and utterly sincere.
She thought Lisa must have been asking the wrong person for help. Annie had no power to change anything about the situation.
Lisa was silent for a long time as if she hadn't expected that response. She murmured under her breath,
"That's impossible. You must be saying this just to avoid helping me, Sofia. You can-"
Lisa's certainty only deepened Annie's confusion.
What is going on right now?
She genuinely had no idea what Lisa was talking about.
Yet Lisa remained convinced of her own assumptions, desperately trying to persuade Annie. She kept apologizing, repeatedly expressing her regrets for what she had done. But the more she spoke, the less sense it made to Annie.
"How are you so sure that I can help you in the first place?" Annie asked, her tone steady.
Lisa fell into another long silence-so long that Annie almost thought she had hung up. But then, Lisa's voice returned, hoarse and trembling with emotion.
"Someone told me that I had offended the wrong person... and because of that, my entire family is paying the price. So I thought-it must be you. Or someone close to you, pressuring us."
Annie shrugged, utterly unimpressed.
"Well, then you might have assumed wrong. Because I don't have the power to do something like that."
"Maybe, without realizing it, you've offended someone else-someone you didn't even notice. And now, they're the ones coming after you."
"So, stop bothering me."

Annie spoke flatly before hanging up. She had no interest in listening to Lisa's regrets or pleas-after all, it was far too late for that.
She pushed the conversation out of her mind and was about to head back inside when her phone buzzed again. A message from a familiar number lit up the screen.
"Hey, let's meet. We need to update on recent events.
7 PM, the usual place."
The text was short and to the point-so blunt there was no need to guess who sent it. Annie typed a quick confirmation before exhaling deeply. As her thoughts drifted to everything that had happened lately, her gaze darkened slightly.
That evening, as Annie sat at her vanity applying makeup, Finn returned home. Without a word, he leaned in, resting his chin naturally against the curve of her shoulder. His voice was softer than usual.
"What are you doing? Heading out somewhere?"
The sudden closeness made Annie instinctively shrink back. She still wasn't used to this kind of casual intimacy.
Finn, however, acted as if he didn't notice her subtle retreat. He simply adjusted his posture, resting his chin against her shoulder once more, waiting patiently for her response.
"Yeah," she said briefly, still focused on her reflection. "I have plans with a friend. I'll be back later."
She thought that explanation would be enough and returned her attention to her makeup. But Finn, clearly dissatisfied with being brushed off so easily, lowered his head.
His lips brushed against the hollow of her neck, soft yet deliberate before his tongue flicked over her skin in a slow, teasing motion.
The unexpected heat of his touch made Annie's hand tremble-so much so that she nearly dropped the lipstick she was holding.

Annie let out a soft sigh, her breath hitching ever so slightly.
Finn licked his lips, finally satisfied. Leaning in, he placed a featherlight kiss on her lips before murmuring in a low, dangerously smooth voice,
"Next time, don't ignore me like that. Otherwise... I don't think you can handle the consequences. Am I right?"
His voice dipped just enough to send a shiver down Annie's spine. She nodded obediently, though inwardly, her thoughts were elsewhere.
Lately, Finn had changed far too much.
The cold, quiet man she had known before-where had he gone? The difference was like night and day.
Once Annie was ready, she had the driver take her to the meeting place. Finn had initially insisted on driving her himself, but that would have been far too risky. If he came along, her secret would be completely exposed.
She quickly refused, offering an excuse. "You've been working hard all day-I don't want to trouble you." Then, before he could protest further, she urged him to rest.
Only then did Finn finally relent, allowing her to leave.
-
Upon arriving at the designated location, Annie scanned the surroundings to ensure there were no familiar faces before stepping out of the car. Dismissing the driver, she made her way into the café.
Sofia was already there, waiting.
As soon as she spotted Annie, her lips curled into a smug smile. She leaned back in her chair, lazily waving a hand.
"Right here, country bumpkin."

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