My Possessive Billionaire

Chapter 7: Turning Point

Ann was feeling excited—it had been a long time since they had seen each other. But she was also confused. Why had he suddenly sent for her today?

"Father!"

Awoken from his reminiscence, Donald raised his head. His daughter stood by the door, her eyes bright and a smile on her face. In that moment, it was as though that same girl with the black hair and white dress from more than 20 years ago had somehow travelled through time to see him.

Heaving a sigh, he smiled at her. "Please, sit down."

Ann did as she was asked and sat down on the sofa. "Where is my sister?"

"She's busy as usual."

"I've heard that Charles is back," he continued, seeming a little tired.

The mention of Charles' name in that house made Ann feel a little embarrassed. "Hmm."

"Ann... I think you should leave with Charles."

Donald spoke slowly, after thinking for a while.

"Father..."Ann said, quietly. She hadn't expected her father to call her back on account of Charles, never mind to suggest what he had. Could it be true that he didn't blame Charles? Although there had been no mention of forgiveness.

Donald went over to the window and stood with his back to Ann. "I've thought about it for many years, and I've come to the conclusion that it's all my fault.

I've already failed your mother; I just hope that your life will be easier.

The tears welled up in Ann's eyes. Even the slightest mention of her childhood made her heart ache.

What would her father do if she left with Charles?

Have an easier life?

But there was nothing wrong with the life she led now.

The tears rolled down Ann's delicate face. "There is no hope of Charles and I getting back together.

And I was wrong about Aunt Evelyn...

Besides, I'm happy now."

"I dreamed about your mother last night."

Donald's expression was uncharacteristically tender, as if he were recalling happier times with her mother. "She blamed me for not looking after you."

"Last night, I woke up in the middle of the night, unable to sleep. I thought about the people close to me whom I'd neglected for all those years—Alison having to struggle to make a living, like a man, and you.... " It was rare to see a man like Donald, a person held in such great esteem in the city, so choked up. "Ann, I know I'm stubborn. And these last years, I've put you through a lot."

Ann could no longer hold back the tears. Her father had not spoken to her this gently since Aunt Evelyn had left.

The moving scene was interrupted by the arrival of the housekeeper. "Jackson is here. He's asking if he can come up."

Come up?

That guy's got a nerve!

Donald looked at his daughter and sighed, unwilling to make a fuss. "You should go now, Ann.

And think about what I said."

Ann shook her head. "I want to stay here with you today."

The last thing she wanted to do was deal with that unfathomable man.

Donald smiled. Everything has its vanquisher—imperious as Jackson was, it was his own daughter who could tame him.

"Come back another day. I'm feeling tired. "

Ann bit her lip and left.

Jackson, hands in his pockets, waited by the stairs, a worried look on his face.

Just as he was about to lose his patience and go charging up the stairs, he saw Ann coming down.

He went up and hugged her. "What's happened?"

Damn it, he's made her cry!

Wiping away the tears, she glanced at him, before pushing past him and continuing to walk out.

She said nothing to him.

Jackson, as was often the case, had forgotten that it was he who had lost his temper first.

For several days now, he had done all he could to make her smile.

Ann, however, remained unimpressed and had just coldly ignored him.

Lily and Ben, now back on good terms, came back to act as mediators. "You need to show her you're sincere. Ann has a soft heart—I think if you apologize and offer to down a drink as a punishment, she'll forgive you.

Lily smiled and handed him a bottle of spirits.

Jackson put down his glass and raising his eyebrow, looked at Ann.

Ann didn't react. Stirring her milkshake, she just sat without a word, and looked in the opposite direction.

Jackson heaved a sigh and picked up the bottle, draining it to the sound of loud cheers.

"Lily, are you helping Jackson patch things up with Ann, or are you just getting back at him?

Matt shrugged his shoulders in disapproval. Everyone knew whose side Lily was on. The bruise was still evident on Ben's face—why would she want to help Jackson? She'd take any chance she could get to get back at him.

Everyone fell about laughing as a furious Lily chased Matt around the room.

Jackson gazed at Ann. He had drunk too much and felt dizzy. Looking at her made him feel a little better.

Ann could tell he was drunk from the glazed look in his eyes.

After watching him for some, Nathan approached him. "Let me help you."

Jackson didn't look at him and just groaned. He may have been drunk but he knew what Nathan was thinking.

Nathan waited quietly, not daring to speak.

After some time, Jackson returned and sat on the sofa, saying coldly, "I won't give you a chance to beg the next time."

Nathan looked like he was going to cry.

The cacophony lasted until midnight, until everyone went home.

Jackson looked around and saw that Nathan, Ann and Mike were nowhere to be seen.

Suddenly, the door that led to the seventeenth floor was flung open, hitting the wall. Everyone turned to look.

In walked Ann. She looked calm but her furrowed brow indicated otherwise.

With the sound of Mike's angry roar and a girl's cries out in the corridor, Nathan casually walked in before closing the door with a smile.

Smoothing her skirt, Ann came over to Jackson and smiled. "Shall we go home? I'm tired."

Everyone looked on, incredulous. Nathan was a capable guy, and this time Jackson would have to reward him.

Lily tilted her head and smiled—this was just the calm before the storm Some poor guy was going to be all out of luck.