Chapter 16
Tristan stood in front of the villa where he and Annabel had once lived. The surveillance footage in his hand had been replayed countless times.
Every other recording had been scrubbed by Cassie, ensuring no useful trace remained.
ཅ ཋ ཆེ ྃ ྃ རྫ ཋ ཚ
“Keep looking.” His voice was hoarse, his eyes bloodshot. “Even if we have to turn all of Belston upside down, I want her found.”
Steven nervously handed him a file.
“Mr. Morse, Ms. Norton’s identity records have been erased. Her entry and exit history has also been wiped off…”
Tristan clenched his fist so tightly his knuckles turned white.
He frantically pulled every string he had to find her and even offered a massive reward. However, Annabel seemed to have vanished without a trace.
He visited every place they had ever been together.
He went to their high school campus, amusement parks, a remote mountain sanctuary, and even the city where she had studied abroad.
But each time, he came up empty–handed.
He began to dream frequently. In his dreams, Annabel stood in a pool of blood, coldly looking at him.
“Tristan, it was you who pushed me into hell.”
When he woke up, cold sweat drenched his shirt. His heart would ache as if a piece had been brutally carved out.
*
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Tristan began to expand his search, neglecting even his company affairs. He flew from country to country, hoping to find that familiar figure.
Three months later, Tristan stood outside a luxury bridal boutique on Moltain Avenue. His gaze was hollow as he stared at the wedding dress in the display window.
was white
Annabel had once said she liked simple satin wedding dresses–no lace, no diamonds, just the purest
A faint, self–mocking smile tugged at his lips.
Those past memories had burst like bubbles. Now, he didn’t even know where Annabel was.
Suddenly, he caught a familiar silhouette out of the corner of his eye.
Long black hair, a slender back and the way she walked–it was just like Annabel in his dreams.
His heart skipped a beat. Almost instinctively, he chased after her.
“Annabel!”
That woman didn’t look back. She continued walking forward.
He quickened his pace, reaching out to grab her wrist.
But the next second, a black car pulled up in front of her.
Failed
A man in a suit stepped out. He took her bag and leaned in to whisper something in her ear that made her smile softly.
As she turned her head slightly, an utterly unfamiliar face was revealed.
Tristan froze in place.
It wasn’t Annabel. It was just someone with a similar silhouette.
His throat tightened as he lowered his hand in defeat.
His phone rang. Steven’s cautious voice came from the other end.
“Mr. Morse, the banquet is about to start. You…”
Tristan closed his eyes. He ended the call and turned to leave.
And just as he turned away, Annabel slowly put down her cup in a cafe around the corner. Her gaze calmly swept over his retreating figure.
Kenneth followed her gaze. “Is that him?”
Annabel withdrew her gaze and nodded faintly.
She stood up and linked arms with Kenneth. “Let’s go. It’s time for the banquet.”
In front of a standing minor, Annabel tilted her head slightly, adjusting the diamond studs on her ears. A faint curve appeared at the corner of her lips.
“Tristan will be attending tonight’s private banquet 100,”
Kenneth’s voice came from behind her.
He handed her a glass of champagne. “Your attention has been on him. Was he the reason you’re here?”
Annabel took the glass. Her fingertip tapped lightly against the rim, letting out a crisp sound. “You’re overthinking it.”
At the banquet, the crystal chandeliers shimmered with dazzling light.
Holding her champagne glass, she effortlessly conversed with representatives of several Eudonian financial groups.
Her fluent Fravance and sharp business insights made her the center of attention.
When Tristan entered the venue, his gaze was unconsciously drawn to that back figure. Every gesture exuded a familiar sharpness.
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Chapter 16
He frowned slightly. Just as he was about to step forward, that person turned and brushed past him.
In that instant, he caught a very faint scent of roses.
Tristan turned his head abruptly, but the figure had vanished into the crowd.
“Who was that lady just now?” He stopped a waiter, his voice tight.
The waiter smiled politely. “That’s Ms. Linda Smith, founder of the rising investment firm, A.N Group.”
Tristan’s pupils contracted sharply.
“A.N…” he murmured to himself. Those were clearly Annabel’s initials.
He couldn’t believe it. Yet he couldn’t help but hope that Annabel had come back.
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Chapter 17
