Conner experienced a taste of success and started frequently sending Annie the crucial intel her police department needed. He even volunteered to be her informant, despite Annie's reluctance to get mixed up with him. Yet, whenever they hit a dead end, a tip-off from her "informant" would arrive right on cue. Each time, Annie would meet Conner privately to express her gratitude.
Conner took things a step further by suggesting a marriage alliance between their families, effectively tying Annie and himself together. It seemed like everything was falling into place. The Smiths, Annie's family, considered Conner's proposal and asked their daughter if she wanted to pursue it. She hesitated, but Maja, her sister, understood that hesitation didn't mean she was saying no.
The Smiths were in a tough spot. Conner was their only hope, and he made it clear that sparing their family was all because of Annie. When Conner brought Annie's parents to the Nettleton estate, he was blunt, "Let's get this done. Agree to marry your daughter to me, and you'll be my in-laws. I'm not perfect, but I won't harm my wife or mistreat Annie. If you refuse, Maja might not make it. She almost ended up married to my rival. If you want to ensure your survival, announce the union between the Smiths and the Nettletons through me and Annie."
Conner was eager to surprise his brothers. One of them, from Havenbrook, had secretly married, claiming it was forced and loveless. Yet, that guy, Andre, shamelessly said he didn't love his wife, but soon enough, his supposedly "unloved" wife was pregnant. Isn't that love?
Conner, too, was eager to make a big move and was focused on securing Annie. With no other options, the Smiths agreed. When they told Annie, "Honey, we've agreed to your marriage with Conner," Annie's hand trembled as she poured water. "Oh," she said, appearing to accept it. Maja, watching from upstairs, saw the whole thing.
The next day, Maja took action and met with Conner privately. "My sister doesn’t love you," she stated plainly. Conner, polishing his gun, replied, "If you're smart, you'll leave. You're alive because your sister is Annie. You'd better hope she and I last... or else..." Conner aimed his gun at Maja's forehead, "I have ways to make you disappear silently."
With a sly smile, Maja replied, "Ever heard of Chade Inc. from Havenbrook?" Conner paused, realizing that was the family that adopted his sworn sister. "Chade Inc.'s Bruce, the head of Havenbrook's detective unit, Chad, is my sister's ex. He's the man I've always loved. Annie's a cop, and so is he. Back in school, they were a match made in heaven. To this day, Annie works tirelessly to solve cases, hoping to transfer back to Havenbrook and reunite with him."
After Maja finished speaking, she looked at Conner, whose brow was furrowed with anger, and gave a cheerful smile. Standing up, she said, "Don't believe me? Check it out yourself. Chad is the man Annie is willing to die for. He lives in the light, while you're just a dragon lurking in the shadows. Annie loves the sunlight."
After Maja left, Conner aimed his gun where she had stood. "Someone!" he called out. "Yes, boss?" a voice responded. Conner ordered, "Head to Havenbrook."
The investigation confirmed a brief romance between Chad and Annie, with Annie having pursued Chad. While discussing wedding plans, Annie approached Conner at the Nettleton estate. "I don't want a big fuss. Just a dinner with both families and a photo will do. How about it?"
Clenching his teeth, Conner asked, "Are you still in love with another man?" That day, they almost came to blows. Annie returned home furious, bursting into the living room. "I took a day off to discuss wedding plans, and he dared to lay a hand on me. Dad, tell Conner that if he wants this wedding, he'll do it my way. If not, forget it."
She stormed upstairs, only to be stopped by Maja. "Annie, I want you to listen to a recording." Maja's "preparation" for her last meeting with Conner included this "recording." After editing their conversation, she played it for her sister. Hearing Conner's threats against her sister made Annie turn around impulsively. "I'm going to confront him."
"Annie, don't," Maja pleaded, holding her sister back. "Annie, if someday I suddenly disappear or am gone, remember it was Conner. You must avenge me. Conner is ruthless, he won't spare me for my dealings with Chad." Maja hugged her sister tightly, "Promise you'll avenge me."
Fearing Conner might indeed harm her family, Annie arranged to meet him that night. Conner apologized for his earlier impulsiveness, and Annie decided to let it slide. Since they were to be married, she warned, "Conner, if you harm my family, I won't forgive you."
Conner agreed, but right before the wedding, Maja suddenly vanished. Her last known location was the Nettleton estate. "Mom, Dad, I'm going to the Nettleton estate to get my things and deliver Annie’s wedding dress," she had said. But after that, she disappeared.
For three days, Annie searched tirelessly, and the Nettletons joined in the search. Annie demanded access to the Nettleton estate's surveillance, but Conner refused, citing sensitive materials. To Annie, it seemed like evidence was being destroyed. Later, she applied for a search warrant, but Conner refused to acknowledge it. "Annie, I want Maja to disappear before our wedding less than anyone. I have no motive to harm her."
"You do," Annie accused, recalling his threats against her sister, tears streaming down her face. "Conner, if my sister suffers because of you, we’re not done."
With no progress in the search, an opportunity arose to attend a conference in Havenbrook. Annie volunteered to go, even requesting a transfer there, dodging her wedding date. Unexpectedly, at the conference, she ran into Chad. Even more surprising, Chad followed her to Havenbrook, where Andre was revealed to be his close friend. Annie hit it off with Andre's wife, and Andre's son brought her joy from the moment they met. Her only solace was holding the little boy, a soft and cuddly baby, chubby and smelling sweetly of milk; she couldn't bear to put him down.
In this revised passage, I have aimed to maintain the original narrative while infusing it with more natural and relatable English expressions, enhancing its appeal to native readers. If further adjustments are needed, please let me know!
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Sweet Mischief's Rollercoaster Romance