Chapter 371 No Big Deal

As Anna locked eyes with Colin, she finally noticed the subtle hint of nervousness and unease in his gaze. 

Colin, who had always been surrounded by countless women, was actually feeling anxious about her potential rejection?

This unexpected discovery softened her heart, and the firm defenses she had built began to crack.

Taking a deep breath, Anna tried to make her voice sound firm and clear. "Alright, I'll stay, but you have to promise me one thing—you can't touch me. We've only just started seeing each other, and moving too fast... I'm really not ready for that."

As she spoke, her cheeks flushed slightly, her eyes showing both determination and shyness.

Colin seemed a bit surprised by her reaction. A flicker of astonishment crossed his deep-set eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. 

He paused for a couple of seconds, seemingly weighing his options, and then slowly nodded. "Alright, I promise."

Anna felt a pang of discomfort. She hadn't expected Colin and Lily to have such a complicated history.

But that was in the past. She knew Colin had a history with many women, and she understood why she was upset. Lily wasn't just an employee; she was also her friend, which made it hard to accept.

Seeing Colin's attitude, her heart softened again.

Suddenly, the phone rang loudly, interrupting their intimate moment. Anna gave Colin a gentle push, signaling him to answer the call.

Colin reluctantly got up and picked up the phone, while Anna quickly climbed out of bed and hurried into the bathroom.

Colin smiled as he pressed the answer button, his voice carrying a hint of barely noticeable tenderness. "Mom."

On the other end, Gia's voice cut through the static, filled with obvious questioning and a touch of fatigue. "Where have you been again? You've left all the company matters for me to handle alone, haven't you? I'm getting old, and you still want to wear me out, is that it?" 

"I'm telling you, stop messing around outside and get serious! Either bring home a proper daughter-in-law to give me peace of mind, or stop causing chaos and making the household a mess." 

"You used to play around, and I turned a blind eye, but I've never seen you so eager to disappear for days. Are you cursed or something? I want to see which woman has managed to captivate you so completely!"

Gia's words revealed her dissatisfaction with Colin's prolonged absence and her disappointment in him.

Colin stumbled slightly, rubbing his temples in frustration. He had just managed to calm Anna down, and now he had to deal with another difficult woman.

Colin sighed and rubbed his temples. "Mom, I'm really not playing around this time. I'm serious, I've completely stopped. Please trust me just this once. In a while, I'll bring my girlfriend home to meet you, and we can talk more then. For now, I have to go. Bye, Mom."

Colin spoke quickly, afraid that if he slowed down, he would be overwhelmed by Gia's next wave of "attacks." He didn't hesitate to press the hang-up button.

Gia held the phone, her brows furrowed, her eyes filled with doubt and disbelief. Her son's words sounded like the boy-who-cried-wolf story—always deceiving her, never reliable.

Gia knew Colin's playful nature, his casual attitude towards relationships. How could he so easily "settle down," find a steady girlfriend, and even talk about marriage and children?

"No, I can't just wait around," Gia muttered to herself. She needed to investigate personally. She couldn't let Colin's future slip away carelessly, nor could she let her own later years be filled with worry due to Colin's instability.

Outside the study at Windsor Villa, Owen's footsteps were hurried, his expression a mix of complex emotions, both joy and concern. 

He reached the study door, knocked lightly, and then entered, his voice carrying a slight tremor. "Mr. Windsor, we've received news from abroad."

Inside the study, Sterling sat behind a large desk, holding an elegant pen, tapping the desk rhythmically. His gaze was sharp and focused, as if contemplating a significant issue. 

Hearing Owen's report, he looked up sharply, his eyes piercing. "What's the situation now?"

Owen steadied himself, his breathing gradually calming before he spoke, his voice carrying a hint of gravity. 

"According to the mercenaries we sent out, Caleb was severely injured twelve hours ago while fleeing and fell into a raging river. Our men witnessed it firsthand. The river's current is extremely strong, surrounded by dense tropical jungle, making the environment very harsh. Under such conditions, Caleb's chances of survival are slim. Even finding his body would be extremely difficult. Mr. Windsor, you can rest assured."

Sterling's brows relaxed slightly but quickly furrowed again. Although Caleb's fall into the river and uncertain fate provided temporary relief, the matter was far from over. 

Caleb was cunning and ruthless; if he survived, he would undoubtedly return with greater trouble.

"Owen, we can't let our guard down," Sterling said gravely. "Even though Caleb's fate is uncertain, we must be fully prepared. Immediately arrange for increased security at Windsor Villa and around Bella, and closely monitor the situation over there. Report any signs of trouble to me immediately."

Owen nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, Mr. Windsor. I'll make the arrangements right away to ensure everything is secure."

Sterling pondered for a few seconds, a cold smile forming on his lips. "However, given the desolate jungle and his severe injuries, survival seems unlikely. If that's the case, it would solve a major problem."

He then turned to Owen. "I'll be traveling in two weeks. During that time, I'll ensure all company matters are properly handled to avoid any issues." 

"As for the household, it's all up to you, Owen. If anyone from the Windsor Group causes trouble, kick them out without hesitation."

Owen nodded solemnly. "Yes, Mr. Windsor. You can count on me to manage everything smoothly."

Returning to his room, Sterling gently closed the door, shutting out the outside noise. His gaze was immediately drawn to the photo on the bedside table.
Entwined Love and Hate: The CEO's Beloved
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