Annabelle Linton had no idea that while Ryan Linton acted as if nothing bothered him, he was secretly carrying such deep pain and sensitivity.
In her past life, when she was supposed to marry Leona Grant, she'd had her own doubts. Even though she really liked Leona, she'd wavered when she saw how determined Leona was not to marry her.
But William Chapman absolutely refused to let the matter drop!
He'd claimed the Grant Family was humiliating her and ruining her reputation. He argued that for a young woman to have her engagement broken by her future in-laws would negatively impact her future, and he insisted that she must not give up on her marriage contract with them.
Back then, she hadn't known about William Chapman's sinister intentions. She'd thought he was looking out for her, so she foolishly went along with his plan to cause a fuss. In the end, with her grandfather's backing, Leona Grant was forced to marry her.
But she never expected that this whole affair would become a source of guilt and self-blame for Ryan.
For a moment, she felt she had been a truly terrible older sister.
Annabelle Linton sighed, wrapped her arms around Ryan Linton, and said in a solemn voice, "Ryan, listen to me. None of this is your fault. Mom's difficult childbirth was an act of fate, and so was Grandpa's death. As for Kiera, that was just an accident. None of you did anything wrong. If you absolutely have to find a culprit, then it's William Chapman!"
"Joy Chapman's birth proves he betrayed Mom seventeen years ago. And Grandpa died because of the stress William Chapman put him under. So none of this has anything to do with you. You're not allowed to torment yourself with these thoughts anymore, understand?"
Ryan Linton's body stiffened, and he froze for a moment.
He had spent his entire life blaming himself.
After Annabelle Linton married Leona Grant two years ago, his self-blame had grown exponentially. Every time he saw Annabelle get hurt, he felt it was his fault.
But he had never once considered that it was William Chapman's fault!
Leona Grant couldn't hear their conversation, but the gentle expression on Annabelle Linton's face still made her pause.
She suddenly recalled how cold Annabelle had been to her yesterday, and it felt surreal.
There were only two people in this world Annabelle Linton loved most: Ryan Linton and her.
'Now, she dotes on Ryan Linton just as she always has, but she hates me to the bone?'
'Hah, not in a million years would I believe that!'
'It's just another one of her ploys, playing hard to get. The evidence of her repeatedly framing Vivian Yates is irrefutable and fresh in my mind. Who hasn't been fooled by her superb acting?'
'For such a calculating woman, acting is all she has left!'
Leona Grant snapped out of her thoughts, a disdainful smirk playing on her lips as she strode away.
Annabelle affectionately stroked Ryan's head, then suddenly sat up straight. "Ryan," she said seriously, "there's something I need to tell you."
Seeing her serious expression, Ryan also realized the gravity of the situation.
"Mm."
Annabelle chose her words carefully before speaking. "Recently, I stumbled upon some discrepancies in the Linton Group's accounts, so I launched a full investigation. I had no idea what I would find, but I ended up uncovering a massive secret."
"What is it?"
"The Linton Group is about to be acquired!"
Ryan was absolutely stunned. Although he'd never been involved in managing the company, everyone knew the Linton Group was built on a solid foundation. How could it collapse just like that?
"What's going on?"
The words had barely left his lips when a man in a suit and glasses, who looked to be in his forties, walked up to them.
He asked respectfully, "Excuse me, are you Miss Annabelle and Mr. Ryan?"
Annabelle Linton looked at Lawyer Ford standing before them and quickly got to her feet. "Ford."
Lawyer Ford was the Linton Group's exclusive counsel and had worked for the Linton Family since he was twenty. He had practically watched Annabelle grow up, so she addressed him with the respect due an uncle.