Chapter 987
Chapter 987:
“You’re amazing,” Annot said, smiling brightly. Then she lowered her head, pulled an exquisite lipstick from her purse, and held it out to Annabel. “Since we ran into each other today, I want you to have this. Do you mind p>
Annabel blinked, confused. “What’s this for p>
“It’s a foreign brand I love. The shade is special, and I thought it would suit you,” Annot explained with a playful wink. “Consider it a small token of gratitude for taking me to the hospital last time. I’ve wanted to give you something, but I never had the chance. I can’t let today pass, not now that we’ve met again p>
“Oh… that. You really don’t have—” Annabel hesitated, feeling it was inappropriate to accept such a lavish gift from someone she barely knew. But before she could refuse, Annot pressed it into her hand.
“Please take it,” Annot insisted gently. “Think of it as a gift from a friend. Alright, I’ll let you get back—I’m keeping people waiting p>
With that, Annot smiled, turned, and walked out.
As the door closed, Annabel’s brows knit together. Something about Annot’s enthusiasm felt… off. Annabel couldn’t fully explain it, but the generosity seemed excessive for someone she had only recently met.
Curiosity won out. She opened the lipstick.
The deep red lipstick had a peculiar scent—sharp and unfamiliar, unlike the usual fragrance or flavor added during production.
Annabel frowned and sniffed again. Then, as if a thought struck her, she dabbed a little of the lipstick onto her necklace, staining it.
She immediately turned on the faucet and washed her hands thoroughly, scrubbing away any residue.
“Why were you in the restroom for so long?” someone complained as she returned. “The director already played two rounds of the game p>
When Annabel returned to the company dinner, her coworkers were already deep in conversation. One of them noticed her necklace and blurted out, “Annabel, what happened? Why is your necklace black p>
Stay tuned for more gαlnσνℯℓs.c○m
Annabel glanced down and saw it clearly—a dark stain spreading across the silver chain. Her stomach sank.
It looked as if the lipstick had been contaminated.
Thinking quickly, Annabel forced a calm expression. “It’s probably just dirty. I’ll clean it when I get home. Excuse me, I need to send a message to a friend p>
Using the moment, she texted Anthony and asked him to investigate Annot’s background. “I recently met a woman named Annot. She’s from Korea. Can you help me look into her p>
Anthony replied almost immediately. “Sure thing p>
The dinner dragged on until nine in the evening, leaving Rory glassy-eyed and unsteady. Despite the doctor’s warning not to drink too much after such a serious injury, Rory had never been good at refusing a toast—and he couldn’t hold his liquor. By the time they left the restaurant, he was practically leaning his full weight on Annabel.
“You can go ahead,” Annabel told her coworkers as she waved goodbye. “I’ll drive him home p>
She drove Rory back to his villa with him slumped in the passenger seat. When they arrived, she found the key in his shirt pocket, unlocked the door, and hauled him inside.