Chapter 661
“Anna!” Isabella quickly shoved the younger girl out of the way, taking the hit from the magazine herself.
How heavy could a magazine possibly be?
Plus, Kiera was elderly; no matter how angry she was, there wasn’t much force behind the throw.
Yet, the moment the magazine struck her, Isabella let out a sharp, theatrical wail, making sure everyone heard her supposed agony.
Anna hurried to support Isabella, her face filled with guilt, utterly bewildered.
The unprecedented harshness in her grandmother’s voice made her shrink back in fear.
She never expected that her grandmother-who had always doted on her and Isabella-would yell at her over an outsider!
Grandma had always favored her the most.
But now, she was throwing things at her over some nobody from the sticks!
What a scheming manipulator!
Anna became even more convinced that her grandmother’s sudden attack at the shopping district and Serena’s convenient rescue was nothing but a calculated ploy!
It was all Serena’s setup!
Her fury flared, and the glare she shot Serena was brimming with absolute disgust.
Just as she was about to keep pushing the issue p>
A freezing voice, dripping with sheer intimidation, rang out from the side.
“Anna p>
It was Douglas!
He had only said her name.
But Anna’s expression instantly froze. She fell completely silent, trembling slightly.
In her mind… Douglas was the most terrifying, ruthless presence in this family.
The person she feared above all else.
“Turn around,” Douglas commanded coolly.
Gone was every trace of her earlier arrogance.
Shrinking back obediently, she turned around inch by inch to face him.
“Serena Lancaster is your cousin.” Douglas’s eyes held zero warmth, his dark, piercing gaze narrowing slightly. If you can’t leam basic manners, I don’t mind personally teaching you the etiquette of the Vinton family p>
Anna’s face drained of color. She wilted on the spot, unable to force out a single
word for a long moment.
Holden also spoke up, his tone heavy. “Anna, apologize to your cousin p>
Anna was truly baffled now.
Just how incredibly manipulative was this low-life?
She had only just arrived, hadn’t she?
Her grandparents taking her side made sense if she had used tricks to save her grandmother.
But… had she somehow managed to win over a terrifying nightmare like Douglas too?
And actually got him to speak up for her?
Anna’s eyes darted around. The spoiled, overbearing attitude vanished from her
face in an instant, replaced by a sweet, innocent smile.
She practically skipped over to
Serena, giving her a little bow, her voice overly sincere. “I’m so sorry, Serena was just talking nonsense earlie was just so worried about Grandma that I spoke without thinking p>
The young girHooked affectionately at her, smiling sweetly, her eyes seemingly full of genuine
earnestness. “You’re just so pretty, Serena I thought you were one of those people who would do anything for money. I completely misunderstood you. You’re so generous, please don’t hold this against me p>
As she spoke, she warmly tried to link arms with Serena.
But Serena smoothly and subtly sidestepped the contact.
Her words sounded sincere enough.
But underneath it all, she was heavily implying that Serena looked like a seductress.
When Serena dodged her friendly gesture, Anna didn’t look embarrassed at all. In fact, her smile only grew sweeter.
Blinking her eyes, she spoke in a fawning tone. “Serena, I really am sorry. Won’t you just look at Grandma and Grandpa and forgive me this once? Please p>
Her attitude was the picture of earnest sincerity—apologizing, acting cute, and purposely dragging Kiera and Holden into the mix.