She Was Never Just a Pretty Face novel Chapter 27

The night passed without incident.

The next morning, Hilda woke up to the sound of movement in the walk-in closet.

Luther stepped out carrying a suitcase. Seeing Hilda blocking the doorway, a heavy, somber look crossed his aristocratic features. "I'm going on a business trip for a few days. I won't be there to see your mother off. Take the kid back to the main estate for dinner when you have time. My grandmother and my parents really like her. Also, Lori will bring you your bank card... If you need anything, just call Lori."

Hilda understood the subtext immediately.

—Try not to bother him.

Before she could say anything, little Annie woke up. Rubbing her sleepy eyes, the little girl clumsily climbed out of bed, pattering over on bare feet to grab onto Luther's leg. Her little face was unbearably cute. "Where is Daddy going?"

Four-year-olds, with their slightly disproportionate little bodies, were heart-meltingly adorable.

She was so soft.

And she smelled like warm milk.

Even though Luther wasn't fond of children, his heart couldn't help but soften slightly. He pinched her cheek gently. "Newcrest City."

He still couldn't bring himself to say the word 'Daddy.'

Kids were naturally sensitive.

Annie could feel that her great-grandmother and grandparents absolutely adored her, but her daddy wasn't very warm. He didn't seem very warm to her mommy either. Not knowing what to do, she just hugged him as tight as she could, hesitated for a moment, and then planted a kiss on his cheek.

—Maybe this would make Daddy like her a little more?

But Luther just pinched her cheek again.

Neither cold nor affectionate.

Luther grabbed his bags and left.

Little Annie walked over to Hilda, pressing her face against her mother's leg like an abandoned puppy. "Does Daddy not like me?"

Hilda crouched down and kissed her—

"How could he not?"

"Daddy just isn't very good at expressing his feelings."

"He's like this with everyone."

...

Little Annie's eyes instantly lit up.

She knew it. How could he not like his own baby? She was his real, biological daughter.

As she spoke, Jolie casually rested her wrist on the window frame, exposing her watch.

A Patek Philippe diamond watch.

Worth roughly $1.2 million.

Sitting in Luther's accessory drawer upstairs was the exact same model.

He just hadn't worn it today.

Hilda thought to herself: *They really are inseparable.*

But she didn't care anymore. She even mirrored Lori's professional courtesy, opening the back door for Luther with a polite smile. "Have a wonderful trip, Luther."

Luther froze.

He stared at Hilda for a long, heavy moment.

In this quiet battleground between two women.

He seemed to only be angry at Hilda.

He didn't know why. He figured it was just because men naturally gravitated toward the woman who shone the brightest. Hilda was just his contract wife for the year; there was absolutely no reason for him to feel this irritated.