Chapter 272: Chapter 272

At noon, Anna Thornton deliberately returned to the hotel to have lunch with Pop.

Her schedule was packed today; in the afternoon, she had to deal with Holly Sutton’s assistant, and in the evening, she was meeting Lola for hotpot.

Her being so busy made Conrad Sterling seem idle.

President Sterling came all the way from Aethelgard, but since yesterday till today, he hadn’t even received a friendly look from Anna Thornton, so naturally, he wouldn’t be satisfied.

During lunch, he overheard Anna Thornton calling Mary, asking her to arrange some equipment for a hot spring trip.

Could it be to meet the person she arranged to see early this morning ahead of time?

"Pop, Mommy has to go out after lunch. I can’t play with you this afternoon, okay?"

"Oh, okay." The little munchkin nodded understandingly but inevitably pouted.

Seeing her somewhat disappointed expression, Anna Thornton leaned over to Pop’s ear and gave her a sneak preview of the evening’s plans.

After hearing it, the little munchkin’s eyes immediately sparkled with anticipation, sweeping away her disappointed look.

"Alright, it’s settled then. Mommy is heading out now, okay?"

Anna Thornton waved to Pop, who also waved her chubby little hand: "Mommy, come back early!"

"Okay, give Mommy a kiss."

Mother and daughter completely forgot that Conrad Sterling was standing right next to them.

"What did she say to you last?" Conrad Sterling asked Pop.

The little munchkin scratched her head and giggled, giving him a ’shh’ gesture.

It seemed to be a little secret between mother and daughter, not to be shared.

In the afternoon, for the hot spring trip with Anna Thornton, Marcus Morgan lied and made up an excuse to slip away from the company.

However, Anna Thornton was more interested in wandering around. She visited various malls studying the strengths and weaknesses of Veridia’s major children’s clothing brands.

Seeing that it was getting dark, Marcus Morgan couldn’t help but remind her, "Anna, didn’t you say you wanted to go to the hot spring? My friend’s club is just across the street from here. Why don’t we head over now?"

"Alright, but there’s one last children’s clothing shop upfront. Stay with me while I check it out, then we’ll go."

"Marcus, how do you think the children’s clothing in this shop compares to ours?" Anna Thornton asked him after entering the store.

Marcus Morgan wasn’t interested in such children’s clothes; his mind was preoccupied with a bikini show.

"By the way, Anna, did you bring clothes for the hot spring?"

"Don’t worry; I’ve prepared everything. A leopard-print three-piece!" She whispered the latter half quietly to him.

With her sweet voice lowered, there was a uniquely lazy sexiness about her, and the subtle fragrance from her hair tickled Marcus Morgan, getting his blood racing.

Leopard print! And a three-piece!

Just the thought was enough to unleash the beast within!

Anna Thornton was a born temptress. Even someone as composed as Conrad Sterling couldn’t resist her charm, let alone Marcus Morgan.

"Why don’t I try it here for you to see first?" Anna Thornton suggested.

"Yeah, isn’t there a fitting room?"

Although it was a children’s fitting room, the thought of it was thrilling enough!

"Wearing swimwear here isn’t very appropriate!" Anna Thornton said, slightly coy, inviting Marcus Morgan, "Why don’t you come in with me?"

Marcus Morgan was more than eager, sticking close to Anna Thornton as they squeezed into the fitting room together.

He didn’t notice the eyes behind them, glaring like daggers!

The children’s fitting room was quite narrow, making it hard for them both to turn around.

Marcus Morgan, under the dim light, with beastly desires simmering, was about to embrace Anna Thornton from behind.

But Anna Thornton seemed to have anticipated this, precisely stopping his wandering hand.

"Marcus, you’ve been with Holly Sutton for two or three years now, right? Besides being an assistant, do you have any other income?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"I just noticed all the luxury brands you wear and the property—more than three places, but these don’t seem affordable for a regular assistant."

"Anna, you don’t believe what people say, thinking there’s something private between me and President Sutton, do you?"

"That’s your private matter, not suitable for discussion here. What I want to know is, does Holly have any other business dealings she lets you handle? You’ve been with her for years; you must know a bit about their Sutton family’s dealings, like unlawfully shifting Thornton Family assets or tax evasion, perhaps."

"Ah, I see now! You invited me today, not for the hot spring, but to get information!"

Marcus Morgan wasn’t entirely clueless, and he realized it at this point.

"I advise you not to waste your efforts; I know nothing." Official source ıs N0v3l.Fiɾe.net

"Here, you put on your swimwear and change, and I’ll see if I recall anything."

"I advise you not to play dirty and honestly tell me what you know, or else the consequences will be unimaginable."

"I’m curious though... what consequences?" Marcus Morgan said, fearless.

In his view, Anna Thornton was just a woman, and no matter how clever a woman is, like Holly Sutton, they are still pressed beneath him at night.

He doubted Anna Thornton could cause any turmoil?

"You’re asking for it!"

Anna Thornton, looking underestimated, flashed a mysterious smile and suddenly shouted, "Help! Save me! Assault!"

After shouting, Anna Thornton, seemingly predicting danger, broke away from Marcus Morgan and retreated to the corner.

In less than two seconds, the fitting room door was kicked open from the outside.

The door slammed into Marcus Morgan’s forehead, dizzying him.

Before Marcus Morgan could react, a powerful hand grabbed his throat, delivering three or four heavy blows to his face, rendering him mute.

Due to the gruesome scene, Anna Thornton temporarily withdrew.

After counting the time outside, she finally peeked inside and reminded, "Conrad Sterling, that’s enough. Leave him conscious; I have more questions."

The man released his grip, tidying his slightly rumpled cuffs as he emerged from the fitting room.

"Tsk tsk, you hit really hard!"

"Weren’t you shouting assault?"

"The guy inside was just trying to hug me, but he didn’t get a chance. I stopped him. It wasn’t as serious an assault as you thought; no need to be that harsh!"

"Because you spent so long in there with him?" Conrad Sterling displayed a ’it’s because of you’ expression.

Anna Thornton chose not to argue with him any further, "You startled the store manager and children with your commotion; go handle that. I’ll deal with what’s inside."

Anna Thornton stepped back into the fitting room; Marcus Morgan was already sprawled on the ground.

Seeing her enter, he flinched immediately.

"Don’t be afraid! As long as you tell me everything about Holly Sutton’s shady dealings over the years, I promise you won’t be hit anymore."

Marcus Morgan stayed silent, unwillingly scoffing, his trembling hand searching for his cellphone.

"I know what you’re thinking, wanting to call the police, right? Do you know who the man who hit you was? It’s Conrad Sterling! Surely you’ve heard of how wealthy and influential Conrad Sterling is? Believe it or not, the moment you call the police, he’ll make sure you pay dearly, with nowhere to die!"

"Truth be told, Conrad Sterling is chasing after me! And he’s very possessive, as you observed. If I tell him I was harassed by you, guess what he’ll do to you?"

Just an ’assault’ shout from Anna Thornton had led Marcus Morgan to experience the consequences.

He was genuinely terrified of Anna Thornton, "Auntie, what do you want exactly?"

"It’s simple, though William Sutton may have plotted against me, he ultimately failed, so the incident isn’t severe. But what I want is for him to be locked up in such a way he never gets out, so I urgently need evidence of William Sutton embezzling public funds. You need to give me everything you know to help me!"

"Rest assured you’re siding with me is undoubtedly the right move because Holly Sutton will soon be dragged down by me too! After all, I have President Sterling’s backing!"

Originally, she planned to get to the hot spring club and find a chance to extract information from Marcus Morgan, but Anna Thornton found it too slow.

Just as she and Marcus were shopping, she noticed Conrad Sterling was following her all the way, so she decided to borrow a knife to kill two birds with one stone.

Using Conrad Sterling wisely indeed made things much smoother!