Chapter 26 Captivating Giorgio
"The situation is too complicated to explain right now. Please come back home quickly."
"Oh, alright."
Anna didn't waste a second. She didn't even comb her hair or change her clothes. She grabbed her phone and rushed out.
When she reached downstairs, she saw Giorgio and Charlie trimming the flowers in the garden. She quickly greeted them, "Mr. Vittorio, Charlie, I have something to take care of at home. I'll be back."
With that, she hurriedly left.
Charlie furrowed his eyebrows. "Auntie seems really anxious. Should we go help her?"
Giorgio obviously had no idea what was going on. He had managed to find some time today to help with the gardening amidst his busy schedule.
Besides, Anna's matters didn't concern him.
After Anna left, she took a taxi directly to Sara's apartment.
As soon as she entered, she anxiously asked, "Where's Penny? What happened to her?"
Sara took her to the front of the bedroom, frowning as she said,
"I don't know either. She didn't seem right when she came back last night. She said she wanted to sleep alone, and I thought she wanted some space, so I didn't think much of it. I never expected that this morning she refused to leave the room, and she told me that if you don't come back, she won't talk to you anymore, won't eat or drink, and will starve herself."
She had been with Penny for six years, and Penny had always been well-behaved. This was the first time she had acted like this, and Anna grew increasingly worried and anxious. She raised her hand and knocked on the door, saying, "Penny, mommy's back. Did someone bully you at school? Or did another child bully you? Open the door and tell mommy. Mommy will stand up for you."
However, no matter what she said, there was only silence from inside.
It was distressing when a child locked themselves away, especially a stubborn 3-year-old girl.
Anna couldn't bear to imagine what might be happening inside the room, and she didn't want to wait around. She turned to Sara and said, "Find the key or a hammer. We'll break the door open."
"Alright." Sara agreed wholeheartedly.
As they turned around to look for tools, the door suddenly opened with a 'click' sound.
Penny walked out.
She was wearing a little princess dress, arms crossed, her face puffed up in anger as she glared at Anna.
"Hmph! Mommy, we need to have a serious talk."
Talk? What did she want to discuss?
Why did it feel like the little girl's anger was directed towards her?
Anna, wearing a confused expression, sat down on the sofa with Penny. That's when she noticed Penny throwing a stack of photos on the round coffee table.
'Snap,' the photos landed on the table, illuminated by the bright light. They were pictures of men and women shopping for clothes with their children, women taking their children to the supermarket, and happy scenes of families enjoying themselves at amusement parks. And, most importantly, the main characters in these pictures were Anna, Giorgio, and Charlie!
Heaven, what... is going on!
Anna was stunned. "Penny, how did you get these photos?"
Sara was equally surprised. "Weren't you with me this whole time? How do you have these pictures?"
Penny snorted. "We happened to run into each other while shopping and at the supermarket. I secretly took these photos."
As she spoke, she lifted her chin with a proud little stance, as if saying, "You can't fool me."
She finally understood. Penny must have seen the pictures of her with Giorgio and Charlie and thought that she liked other children and didn't care about her anymore.
But... they were her father and brother. How could she explain this?
No matter how she explained, it would be difficult!
Sara didn't expect Penny to be so perceptive. She looked at Anna's troubled face and empathized with her. She gave her a supportive look as if to say, explain it well, Penny isn't a gullible little princess.
The air became heavy, so quiet that even the sound of a falling needle could be heard.
After some time, Penny suddenly asked, "Mommy, is he your boyfriend?"
What?
"I..."
No!
Anna immediately wanted to deny it, but Penny continued her analysis, "You like him, so you go on dates and shop with him. You like him, so you try to please the child and want to be his stepmother. You're embarrassing us girls by throwing yourself at him."
Uh! What kind of twisted logic is this!
Anna spoke, "Penny, it's not what you think. Between him and me..."
"But Mommy, that man is rich, handsome, and has long legs! He's more handsome than the Oppas in Korean dramas! I pick him! I support you! I agree for him to be my dad!"
Anna almost spewed a mouthful of blood. She looked at Penny's pale face and couldn't help but feel both amused and speechless.
Well, just let her have this misunderstanding. It's better than her not finding a way to explain.
Anna changed the topic, "Penny, would you like mommy to spend the day with you? We can go shopping, buy you new clothes and cosmetics, and make you look beautiful. You can wow your future dad."
Penny nodded, "Okay, let's go to the mall. I'll buy you new clothes and makeup, so you'll look beautiful and wow my future dad."
What a cunning little imp! How should she explain it to Giorgio when his daughter becomes infatuated just by seeing his pictures?
Because Anna had neglected Penny for the past couple of days, she decided not to rush and spend time ‘shopping, eating, and playing’ with her.
Anna and her adorable six-year-old daughter, Penny, embarked on a special day out together. They were both filled with excitement as they stepped out of their cozy home, hand in hand, ready for a day full of adventures.
First stop was the local park, where Penny's eyes widened with wonder at the colorful playground equipment. Anna watched with a heartwarming smile as Penny eagerly ran toward the swings, her tiny feet barely reaching the ground. Giggles filled the air as Anna gently pushed Penny on the swing, her laughter echoing through the park.
After some time playing on the swings, they moved on to the sandbox, where they built towering sandcastles together. Anna playfully pretended to be surprised when Penny added a handful of toy dinosaurs to the castle, making them the "guardians" of their sandy kingdom.
Feeling the heat of the sun, Anna suggested they have a picnic under the shade of a large tree. She had packed Penny's favorite snacks and a delicious lunch. As they sat together on the blanket, they munched on sandwiches and shared bites of juicy watermelon. Penny's cheeks were smeared with watermelon juice, and Anna lovingly wiped them clean with a napkin.
Feeling reenergized, they decided to explore a nearby butterfly garden. Penny was entranced by the colorful fluttering wings and couldn't help but chase after the butterflies, giggling as they danced around her. Anna taught Penny about the different types of butterflies, and together, they marveled at the beauty of nature.
As the afternoon sun started to dip, they made their way to a nearby ice cream parlor. Penny's eyes lit up at the sight of the assortment of flavors. Anna let Penny choose her favorite, and soon they both indulged in delicious ice cream cones. Anna couldn't resist the temptation to take a photo of Penny with her ice cream mustache, capturing the sweet memory forever.
With the day drawing to a close, they strolled hand in hand back home. Penny clutched a little bouquet of wildflowers she had picked during their adventures. Anna couldn't help but marvel at the magic of the day, grateful for the precious moments spent with her joyful and curious daughter.
Back at home, as Penny dozed off in her cozy bed, Anna planted a gentle kiss on her forehead, whispering sweet dreams. Watching her little one sleep peacefully, Anna reflected on the day, feeling grateful for the simple joys of motherhood and the cherished memories created with her precious daughter, Penny.
They agreed that Anna would come back every weekend and not neglect Penny. After Penny fell asleep, Anna bid farewell to Sara and took a taxi to the villa.
Charlie's condition had visibly improved over the past couple of days, so Anna had to seize this opportunity and help him recover from his autism as soon as possible.
The taxi stopped outside the villa.
Anna paid the fare, pushed open the door, and walked straight inside.
The dim yellow lights of the evening illuminated the beautiful and lush flower trees, filling the air with their fragrance.
Suddenly, a noise echoed, a heavy blow struck the back of Anna's head. Caught off guard, her eyes rolled back, and she collapsed to the ground.
A graceful figure emerged, the light from the streetlamp shining through the gaps in the trees, revealing a face that bore a striking resemblance to Anna's, but filled with malice and grimness.
It was Katherine!
She had escaped. Only she knew the torment and pain she had endured these past few days. Tonight, she had hidden the drugged water Black Jack had given her in her mouth. Taking advantage of the moment when Black Jack tried to kiss her, she made him consume it, and then she made her escape!
In this moment, seeing Anna lying calmly on the ground, Katherine's heart filled with a deep hatred and resentment.
She suffered so much while Anna shamelessly stayed by Giorgio's side day and night, that despicable woman!
Katherine wouldn't let her get away with it!
Katherine lifted Anna's limp body and carried her away through a small path, taking her to Black Jack's secret room. There, she changed Anna's clothes, drugged her, and shackled her.
Black Jack woke up, everything would return to normal. The torment would continue, and he wouldn't realize that the person he had interacted with before wasn't Anna.
Katherine's darkness would finally be behind her, and no one would know, completely unaware!
As for Anna, she would spend her life as a prisoner, beneath Jack's feet. She wouldn't be able to escape!
Katherine chuckled wickedly, quickly left, and returned to her old self. She washed up, changed into beautiful clean clothes, sprayed on some perfume, smiled at herself in the mirror, and went to the villa.
She looked stunning, exuding an air of nobility with her elegant and graceful strides. It was as if nothing had ever happened.
She was still the high and mighty Miss Katherine of the Stefanelli family, Giorgio's fiancée.
Giorgio, I'm here.
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