Leona Grant felt something was very off about Annabelle Linton, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was...
He just had this feeling... that the Annabelle who had woken up had changed.
'Has she become more magnanimous and composed?'
Leona Grant froze for a moment, then shook his head with a scornful laugh. 'A trick to get my attention. Just playing pitiful in front of Grandpa. Hasn't she pulled this kind of stunt countless times before?!'
Leona Grant quickly left with Vivian Yates.
Annabelle Linton watched them go, her thoughts inevitably turning to herself in her past life.
In her past life, she had watched them leave, supporting each other, and couldn't help but cry. Grandpa had flown into a rage and berated Leona Grant, but the only consequence was that he hated her even more.
Though she didn't know why she'd been reborn, having now experienced life and death, Annabelle would no longer grieve over such matters. One lifetime was enough for her to recognize Leona Grant's cold and ruthless nature.
And so, in this life, she would absolutely not fall in love with him again.
She would no longer beg for his love. From now on, she would live her own life well and not end up dying so tragically again.
From now on, he could be with whomever he pleased. As long as he stayed out of her way, she wouldn't even spare him a glance.
Grandpa saw Annabelle Linton's knuckles turn white as she gripped the bedsheets, and assuming she was heartbroken, he sighed and said comfortingly, "Annabelle, my dear, Grandpa knows Leona isn't good to you, and I know you've been terribly wronged. But don't you worry. Grandpa will always be on your side. The Young Madam of the Grant Family will only ever be you. So, you have to take good care of yourself from now on, understand?"
Hearing this, Annabelle Linton's eyes began to sting.
'From her last life to this one, Grandpa had never once mistreated her.'
'In her past life, Grandpa knew how difficult her life was. Behind everyone's back, he had transferred all the shares under his name into her hands, hoping she could have a better life in the future.'
'But his good intentions had backfired. Vivian Yates had spun the story, nearly framing her for attempting to usurp the family's power.'
'She was only his granddaughter-in-law, yet Grandpa treated her like his own flesh and blood.'
Annabelle Linton said, her voice choked with emotion, "Grandpa, don't worry. I'll definitely take care of myself and be happy."
"That's good. That puts my mind at ease," Patrick Grant said with relief, gently patting her hand.
'She actually hadn't just been placating Grandpa. She really was going to live well and be happy from now on.'
'It was just that this so-called happiness would exclude Leona Grant.'
...
Grandpa left after sitting for a little while, and soon after, Annabelle Linton instructed Madam King to pack her things for discharge.
As she passed Vivian Yates's hospital room, she saw Vivian propped up against the headboard under the covers, eating, while Leona Grant watched her.
'His gaze, she didn't even have to guess, must have been just as tender.'
The two of them looked toward her in unison. Leona Grant's tender gaze instantly turned cold, while Vivian Yates watched her with a triumphant smirk.
'I was planning to use this opportunity to make everyone despise her, but I didn't expect the good-for-nothing to be so sharp this time.'
The corner of Vivian Yates's lip curled into a sinister smile.
'No matter. There will be plenty of chances to deal with her in the future.'
"What are you doing here?" Leona Grant asked coldly.
Annabelle Linton saw this scene, gave them a cool glance, and curled her lip as if she hadn't heard a thing. She then turned and walked away on her seven-centimeter heels.
Leona Grant watched Annabelle Linton's indifferent back as she left, feeling a bit stunned.
'For some reason, he felt that the Annabelle in her hospital room and the one who had just walked past were both completely different from the woman he used to know.'
...
Annabelle Linton stayed out for a long time, visiting many places.
'Having lived two lifetimes, she was discovering for the first time just how good it felt to be alive.'
By the time she returned home, it was already dark.
Staring at the villa she had painstakingly guarded for four years in her past life, the corner of her mouth curled into an emotionless smirk.
'She didn't know why, but she just wanted to laugh.'
'Perhaps she was laughing at her own ignorance.'
'She didn't really know.'
Exhausted after a long day, she ate a quick meal and went upstairs to rest.