Chapter 279: Chapter 279

Anna Thornton didn’t tell Conrad Sterling why she decided to bail out Holly Sutton after visiting the detention center.

Nevertheless, as per Anna’s request, Holly was bailed out the next day.

Having not seen daylight for a while, Holly made quite a fuss upon her release.

First, she demanded to go to a five-star hotel to take a shower and change into the latest branded clothes of the season. Then she complained of hunger and wanted to eat braised intestines and rice.

She didn’t ask for anything else, nor did she require dishes from a high-end restaurant. Instead, she chose an old and remote small alley intestine noodle shop.

"Holly, I warn you not to play any tricks, or I will make you pay for it."

"Don’t worry, I’m not lying. I promise to take you to see your son after this meal." Holly ignored Anna’s warning and selected a seat outside the noodle shop.

She picked out a pair of chopsticks for herself and asked Anna, "Do you want some?"

Anna shook her head cautiously, "I’m not hungry!"

"Makes sense, considering you’ve climbed up the big tree that is President Sterling. Of course, you get to enjoy the best and wouldn’t care for this fly-infested little shop. Anna, I never thought after escaping from me, you’d have such fortune. Don’t you think you should thank me?"

"If I had been cruel enough back then to ruin your looks, do you think President Sterling would still fancy you?"

As Holly spoke, her dish arrived.

Braised intestines and rice!

Anna didn’t mind the ingredient of intestines, but she didn’t have much fondness for it either, especially since this restaurant’s version didn’t look appetizing. What was so special about it that Holly yearned for it immediately after leaving the detention center? Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn novel⁂fire.net

If President Sterling were here, he’d likely pinching his nose and avoid it at all costs.

"Anna, you haven’t eaten this before, right? A princess like you, born into wealth and status, how could you know the deliciousness of commoners’ food?"

"Speaking as if you understand it!"

"Of course, I know better than you do because I used to come here often as a child. Do you know why I ordered braised intestines and rice instead of the first dish on the menu, intestine noodles? Because rice is cheaper than noodles. Many restaurants used to give white rice for free, and I’d only buy a small portion of braised intestines to mix with rice for a filling meal."

"You had that kind of experience?"

"If I hadn’t been poor, why would I become so fond of money? You asked me yesterday at the detention center why I deliberately approached your dad and eyed the Thornton family fortune. I’m telling you now, because I’ve been scared of poverty! Why are some born as wealthy ladies, while I have nothing? Am I not allowed to strive for it on my own?"

What kind of twisted logic is this from Holly?

Having nothing doesn’t mean you can take what belongs to others?

Isn’t this the typical ’I’m weak, so I’m justified’ rhetoric?

Anna couldn’t bother to argue with her!

Seeing Holly pick up a glossy piece of intestine with her chopsticks and put it in her mouth. After a couple of chews, she suddenly furrowed her brows and spat it out.

She even retched a couple of times.

Anna rolled her eyes at her, "Tsk! You came all the way here to eat, put on an act, and still couldn’t stomach it?"

"The taste seems different from before, or perhaps my taste has changed. It used to taste delightful when I had no money, but now it just tastes fishy in my mouth. Indeed, it’s better to have money!"

"Forget it, I might as well go to the nearby French restaurant instead."

Holly was about to stand up, but Anna pressed her back down, "Sit down! Do you think I have ’easy to fool’ written on my forehead?"

"Holly, I don’t have time to play games with you; you have ten minutes to finish this bowl of braised intestine rice and then fulfill what you promised me yesterday. Otherwise... I’ll shove that whole pot into your mouth!" Anna pointed at the steaming braised intestine dish.

She wanted Holly to understand the current situation and who should listen to whom.

What right did Holly have to make incessant demands of her?

Indeed, when Anna became strong-willed, Holly weakened.

She obediently sat there and ate the tasteless braised intestines and rice before her, stifling the urge to retch while mentally plotting how to return the humiliation she suffered from Anna.

Isn’t this girl just relying on the fact that her patron is Conrad Sterling?

Suddenly, Holly thought of a plan, "Anna, may I make a call after the meal?"

"Who do you need to call?"

"Because that child has been staying at the orphanage, we need to call ahead to make arrangements with the director when we go. You know they have so many kids at the orphanage that they usually can’t keep track, so it’s best to call ahead and get them prepared."

"You’re saying the child is in the orphanage?"

Anna had only held onto a glimmer of hope that the child might still be alive.

But hearing Holly mention that the child has always been at the orphanage tugged at her heartstrings.

"You can make the call, use my phone, and don’t play any tricks."

Anna handed her phone to Holly and watched as Holly dialed a number supposedly belonging to the orphanage director.

The conversation sounded like there was nothing suspicious to Anna.

However, after they finished eating and as Anna went to settle the bill, Holly stole her phone, opened the contact list, and dialed Conrad Sterling’s number.

With three rings, the phone on the other end immediately answered.

"President Sterling, this is Holly Sutton."

"Why is Anna Thornton’s phone in your hand?"

"I don’t have time to explain the specifics, President Sterling. I sincerely apologize for stabbing you last time, and I swear I absolutely didn’t intend to target you. Even with ten times courage, I wouldn’t dare. To make amends, I intend to reveal the true nature of this brat Anna to you."

"What do you want to say?" Conrad was always impatient when receiving calls from someone other than Anna.

"In the ’Amity House’ orphanage, there’s a child Anna Thornton bore three years ago with some wild man."

"It’s true, President Sterling! Anna is about to pick up the child. If you don’t believe me, you can send someone to trace her."

"Amity House" orphanage is the largest in Veridia.

The Thornton family often devoted regular donations to it, so the director was somewhat familiar with Holly and Anna.

"Mrs. Thornton, Miss Thornton, please follow me to the VIP room."

As Anna entered with the director, she realized someone was already waiting in the VIP room.

President Sterling, in a hospital gown, with a pale complexion.

However, his expression was cold, his posture upright and aloof, still carrying that unapproachable aura.

"Conrad Sterling?" Anna couldn’t believe that the man who should have been resting in the intensive care unit a moment ago had suddenly appeared here.

"Holly Sutton called to inform me."

"She said you’re here to look for a child!"