Chapter 30: Holes in the Condom

Ten minutes later.

Anna hung up, flipped through her notes, and picked a topic to crank out a journal article ASAP.

Back when she was abroad, she cranked out a ton of papers and journals, but all the cash went straight into the lab.

Neither she nor Daniel had $140 million lying around. They were both total research junkies, sinking all their dough into medical stuff.

Money? Pfft, who needed it?

Saving up? Not their style.

Michael's $140 million fine? Yeah, that was a real curveball.

After locking in her research direction, Anna shut down her computer and headed to the kitchen to whip up some dinner. Just as she stepped out, she bumped into Charles coming out of the study.

Anna blinked, surprised. "When did you get back?"

Charles had his poker face on. He walked over, hugged her like always, and kissed her forehead. "Been back a bit. Had some urgent docs to handle in the study."

He glanced down at her. "You hungry?"

"Not really, but it's almost seven. I'll go make dinner," Anna said.

"No need." Charles grabbed her hand, fingers interlocking. "I'll cook. You just keep me company."

Charles was a master at hiding his feelings. If he didn't want her to know what was up, she'd never guess.

Tonight, Anna was clueless. From cooking to eating, she didn't pick up on anything weird with Charles.

One in the morning.

After tidying up the messy bed, Charles opened the bedside drawer, pulled out a silver needle, and poked holes in all the condoms.

The needle was super thin, and the holes were practically invisible. Even if Anna held one up to the light, she wouldn't see a thing.

Just to be sure, Charles poked dozens of holes in each condom.

After their last trip to Radiant Life Hospital, Michael and his assistant Nolan had to leave Crystal City the same day because of some drama at a nearby branch. Thalia, who'd been waiting for Michael for days, heard he was back and stormed into the Tudor Group with a ring, looking pissed.

Nolan was sorting meeting stuff in the president's office when the door suddenly flew open. He turned quickly.

Seeing Thalia, his eyes flickered, and the scolding he was about to give died in his throat. He glanced at Michael by the window.

Seeing Thalia's angry face, Nolan wisely gathered all the materials and placed them on the desk. Then, he made a quick exit. He even closed the door behind him.

Michael's eyebrows furrowed as Thalia barged in. "What's up?"

His voice was calm. Holding a cup of black coffee, he walked to the desk, sat down, and looked at Thalia like it was just business.

Thalia had been bottling up her anger for days because of that ring. But seeing Michael's cold face made her fury explode like fireworks. She slammed the ring on the desk. "Michael, didn't you say you were just messing around with her? Why'd you propose?"

After getting back to Aurora Mansion that day, Thalia had taken off the ring and inspected it closely. And she found something.

Anna's initials, followed by Michael's.

Thinking about it now, Thalia felt it was a cruel joke.

Michael hated Anna, but for the past eight years, he'd been all about protecting and loving her. Last year, he even had a ring engraved with their names to propose!

Thalia had been into Michael for ages. But his eyes and heart were always on Anna. Until one day, he told her that the one he really liked was her, Thalia, not Anna. Only then did her envy and jealousy chill out a bit.

Later, she finally saw Michael and Anna break up. She also saw Michael get engaged to her.

Thalia had thought Anna was out of the picture for good. But now, there was this diamond ring.

Thalia was drowning in jealousy and resentment. She didn't notice Michael's face change when he saw the ring, until he grabbed it and asked in the coldest, most sinister tone, "Where'd you get this ring?"

Thalia clenched her fists and glanced at a small drawer under the desk. "A few days ago, when you were on a business trip, I found it in there."

At the time, she thought it was Michael's engagement ring for her.

Hearing her, Michael immediately opened that small drawer. The fancy velvet box was empty.

Michael slowly clenched his hand, the diamond's edges digging into his palm.

"Michael, shouldn't you explain? Why'd you propose to her?"

Thalia, looking weak, held back tears and demanded an explanation from the silent Michael. After a while, Michael suppressed the storm inside him.

He suddenly slammed the drawer shut. The sound made Thalia's tears tremble.

"Thalia, who do you think you are? Do I need to report to you about what I do?" 

Michael had never spoken so harshly before. Thalia's mind went blank. "Michael, what did you say?"

Michael stood up, his cold eyes locked on Thalia, the disgust clear.

"Thalia, don't think that just because I announced our engagement, you're really the mistress of the Tudor family!" Michael said.

Thalia's face went pale.

And Michael kept going. "Thalia, remember this: my fiancée can be you today, and someone else tomorrow!"

Hearing this, Thalia's body swayed.

She took a step back, looking at Michael in disbelief. "But you clearly said you liked..."

Before she could finish, Michael's cold voice cut her off again. "I chose you only because you're her beloved cousin. I chose you to hurt her more, to get more revenge."