Anna was in the country to hold a press conference, representing International Fashion.
As the chief designer, her appearance drew the attention of many figures in the local fashion industry.
At the conference, Anna officially announced the collaboration between International Fashion and Luke's Fashion.
After saying a few polite words on stage, she returned backstage.
Backstage, Neil and Harry were chatting casually, their expressions relaxed as if they were just catching up on everyday matters.
As Anna walked in, they didn't notice her at first. She overheard Harry say, "You should visit Aunt more often. You've been abroad for years."
"I know, I've just been busy these past few years. Once I finish my current work, I'll go home," Neil replied, his tone sounding familiar, like the two had known each other for a long time.
Harry was the first to notice Anna. As she approached, his posture straightened, his expression becoming more formal.
With a polite smile, he said, "Miss Ives, I look forward to working with you."
Anna's lips twitched slightly.
This was the same man who had sternly told her to stay away from his son, and now he was suddenly acting all respectful.
Thinking of the child waiting for her at home, a headache crept in.
She replied coldly, "There's no need for formalities, Mr. Luke. When you have time, please take your son back. My place is small, and I can't take good care of him for long."
Harry stayed calm and said, "Alright. Shawn has been bothering you these past few days. I'll pick him up tomorrow."
The little boy had been staying with Anna for three or four days already, and Mrs. Luke had been reminding Harry about it nonstop.
It was indeed time to bring him back.
Just as Anna finished speaking, Zach suddenly appeared out of nowhere and grabbed her wrist.
Startled, she frowned in disgust when she saw who it was.
She immediately tried to pull her hand back, but his grip was too tight.
Neil stepped forward in an instant, grabbing Zach's wrist, his voice cold as ice. "What do you think you're doing?"
Zach winced from the pain and let go right away.
He was about to get angry, but the moment he saw it was Neil, his expression shifted into a flattering smile.
"Mr. Walker, this is just a misunderstanding. I only wanted to talk to my fiancée."
As soon as those words left his mouth, the atmosphere around them dropped several degrees.
Neil's eyes turned sharp as he let out a low, icy laugh. "Fiancée?"
His grip on Zach's wrist tightened.
"Ouch… ouch!" Zach yelped, unable to hide his pain.
Seeing his reaction, Neil finally released him. Zach stumbled back a few steps, relieved yet nervous.
He forced a smile and quickly explained, "Anna and I are getting engaged tomorrow. My mother and the Ives family have already booked the hotel. Mr. Walker, you're welcome to attend the celebration."
Neil turned to Anna, his voice heavy with anger. "Is that true?"
"No," Anna replied instantly.
She had never agreed to this. It was something George Ives and the others had arranged on their own.
Zach's face turned pale when he heard her denial.
After finding out Anna was the chief designer for an international fashion brand, he had immediately contacted his family, boasting that he could secure a partnership with the Ives family through her.
"Anna, you can't go back on your word! You promised me back at the hotel. Tomorrow is our engagement ceremony!"
Looking at the unreasonable man in front of her, Anna Ives smiled and asked, "When did I ever agree to this?"
Zach's expression stiffened slightly.
From the very beginning of this so-called arrangement, Anna had never once agreed. It had always been George speaking for her.
"Our parents arranged this marriage, and the news of our engagement has already spread. Are you really going to deny it now?" Zach pressed, his eyes fixed on her, frustration heavy in his voice.
Anna looked at his serious face and couldn't help but laugh. She covered her mouth, chuckling softly before regaining her composure.
"What era do you think we're in? Arranged marriages? What makes you think I want to be engaged to you?"
Her mockery made Zach's anger boil. He wanted to raise his hand against her, but with Neil standing beside Anna, he forced himself to hold back.
Anna was now an international fashion designer, someone far beyond his reach. He couldn't afford to make her an enemy.
Clenching his fists, Zach took a deep breath and said, "Anna, your father accepted a five-million-dollar bride price from my family. You can't just take the money and pretend it never happened."
Anna's expression didn't change. Calm and detached, she shrugged. "Whoever took your money is the one you should be questioning. It wasn't me."
Hearing her push the responsibility away, Zach's panic grew.
He had already bragged to his board about securing a collaboration with Marie, even if it wasn't directly through International Fashion.
If Anna cut ties with him now, the entire deal with Marie would collapse.
"No matter what, your father accepted the bride price, and the engagement venue is already booked. Miss Ives, you can't just take the money and walk away. Even if you're a top designer, this isn't right," Zach said loudly, raising his voice so that everyone nearby could hear.
Rumors had already been spreading about Zach being engaged to the eldest daughter of the Ives family.
At first, people believed Anna was marrying him for money. But now that she was revealed to be an internationally renowned designer, they began to question it.
As the chief designer of International Fashion, her creations sold for millions, sometimes even tens of millions.
She clearly didn't need the White family's money. So why would she marry someone like Zach, whose reputation was already in ruins?
Neil stepped in front of Anna, his tall figure blocking Zach completely from view.
His voice was cold and firm as he said, "Didn't you hear? Our chief designer already said she never agreed."
Zach opened his mouth to argue, but Neil cut him off sharply.
"If you insist on this, then we'll meet in court. Our legal department is more than capable. How about we start with charging you for attempted abduction?"
The icy words sliced through the air like blades, sending chills down everyone's spine.
Zach, who had always bullied others without consequence, was the youngest son of the White family patriarch.
Born when the old man was already middle-aged, he had been spoiled all his life and always got his way.
That was exactly why he had landed himself in trouble three months ago.
But the man before him was Neil Walker, the president of International Fashion. Offending him could destroy the entire White family.
Zach had no choice but to swallow his pride.
Anna looked at him calmly, her voice indifferent. "Mr. White, I have no connection with George. If you've been tricked by him, I suggest you call the police."
As soon as she finished speaking, Anna's phone buzzed. She glanced down and saw a message from Dennis, it was a picture.
Judging by the timing, it had to be the results of the paternity test between Shawn and Zach White.
Anna felt her eyelid twitch as she stared at the image Dennis had sent.
Unease bubbled inside her chest, but she steadied herself and slowly opened the picture.