Retribution Rewind: Back To Ten Years Ago Novel by Novia Osborn

At night, Annie had just returned to the Sanders residence. Helen eagerly got up to greet her, “Welcome back.”

Annie glanced at her watch to check the time, wondering if they were waiting for her.

Tom was also in the room, and his gaze seemed meaningful.

Annie smiled and pretended it was a harmonious family. “It’s so late. Why are you still up?”

Helen answered, “We were talking about the trip to the Oceans Resort. I’ve been feeling cooped up at home lately. Luckily, someone sent us some tickets, so I thought it’d be nice for the family to go there this weekend.”

Sighing, she added a bit wistfully, “It’s a shame that your grandma doesn’t want to leave the house, Zachary’s family is visiting Kate’s parents, and even John is overseas for a conference. If you don’t go, Annie, there will be no one to accompany me.”

It was as if not going would leave Annie feeling guilty.

Annie hesitated and said, “I think I have something to do on this weekend.”

*

“Jeremy will be there too,” Tom suddenly interjected.

In the past, when trying to convince Annie to attend events, they always used this reason, which never failed.

Raising her eyebrows, Annie played along, “Since Jeremy is going, I suppose Jessica will definitely be there too, right?”

Helen’s expression stiffened for a moment. She didn’t want to drag her daughter into this, but since Jeremy was going, it would seem odd if Jessica didn’t.

Tom immediately affirmed, “Of course she’ll go.”

“In that case, it seems I have no reason to turn you down,” Annie chuckled, adjusting her hair. As she smiled, her demeanor exuded grace and charm.

‘No wonder Mr. Chandler took a liking to her, Tom thought to himself and then commented, “You seem to be getting prettier day by day.” His gaze seemed to be assessing her not as his cousin but as some hostess at a nightclub.

Annie wrinkled her brow slightly with a hint of disdain and replied casually, “Thank you.” She then turned to Helen and said, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll go to bed.”

“Go ahead, dear. Good night,” Helen replied, looking as if full of care and affection.

Once Annie left, Helen glared at Tom and asked, “Why did you have to provoke her now?”

“I was just playing around. Nothing serious,” Tom answered nonchalantly.

Helen rushed upstairs to tell Jessica about Annie’s words. Looking worried, she asked, “What did she mean? Why did she want you to go? Did she suspect something?”

Shaking her head, Jessica reassured Helen, “No way. Only we know the plan. Annie couldn’t possibly be in the loop. But she’s –sharp, so she won’t be caught off guard.”

Hearing the last bit, Helen grew concerned. “Will it get you involved?”

Jessica replied confidently, “No worries. Once I reach the Oceans Resort, I’ll fake sickness and lay low in the hotel. They won’t trace it back to me. You and Tom just stick to the plan.”

“Got it,” said Helen.

Soon, it was the weekend. As the clock hit six in the morning, the sun peeked out slowly, its warm rays battling the night’s lingering chill.

Maisie was suddenly taken aback when she went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. A figure stood by the kitchen counter, wearing a thin nightgown, looking a bit worn out, and holding onto a beer can. Her long hair fell gently over her shoulders. Maisie called out, “Ms. Sanders?”

“Hey, Maisie,” Annie replied, snapping back to reality with a smile. That smile brought her to life in an instant, exuding a laid–back charm.

Maisie was a bit stunned, feeling a twinge of embarrassment like she was out of touch. She thought, ‘They said Ms. Sanders came from the countryside, a place even more remote than my own village. Yet, among all the well–off young ladies I’ve met, Ms. Sanders seems to carry the most natural grace.

Maisie’s gaze fell on that beer can, and she softly advised, “Ms. Sanders, drinking in the morning isn’t good for your health.”

“It’s alright. Just a little bit,” Annie obediently stopped drinking and said, “You were supposed to bring hot milk for Jessica, right? Help me heat up a cup too.”

Jessica’s habit was to drink a cup of hot milk as soon as she got up.

Maisie smiled and said, “Sure, I’ll heat it up right away.”

The milk was heated in two identical cups.

Annie asked, “Do we have fresh eggs in the fridge?”

“Yes, we do,” replied Maisie.

“Get me two, please,” said Annie.

“Okay.” Maisie immediately turned around to get the eggs.

Annie’s gaze fell on the milk, and two white pills gently slid into the cup.

“Here are the eggs you wanted,” said Maisie.

Annie took the eggs and said, “The milk is getting cold. Serve it to Jessica.” Then she went upstairs to wash up and get dressed.

Before long, Helen, Tom, and Jessica all got up. However, Jessica seemed a bit out of sorts, like she hadn’t slept well. Annie asked, “Are you feeling okay? Maybe you should stay home if you’re not feeling well.”

“I’m fine. I just stayed up late last night, feeling a bit sleepy. I’ll nap in the car later,” Jessica quickly replied.

Having planned for so long, there was no way Annie would give up now. Annie smirked slightly and didn’t press further.

Helen and Tom knew about Jessica’s plan to pretend to be sick, so they did ask much. Helen said, “Why don’t you rest in the car for a bit? We’ll wake you when we get there.”

But surprisingly, Jessica dozed off in the car and was still asleep when they reached the resort. Helen felt her forehead. Her body temperature was normal, and she didn’t seem sick.

Helen suggested, “Seems like she just needs more rest. Tom, could you carry her to the room so she can chill?”

Tom agreed and gently lifted Jessica.

Seeing Jessica asleep, Annie’s lips curled up in a subtle smile.

Meanwhile, a black Lincoln pulled up in front of the Oceans Resort. The hotel manager, who had been waiting, immediately walked up to open the car door. “Mr. Hudson, we’ve been expecting you for a while.”

A man in a burgundy suit stepped out of the car. The color was a bit daring, yet it suited him perfectly. He unbuttoned a button on his shirt casually, lips slightly curved upwards. Just his presence made the female hotel staff feel like their breath was slipping away.

Following closely behind him was another man in a formal black suit, sporting golden–rimmed glasses. He had good looks too, but the man in front of him was the sun itself. Wherever he went, everyone else seemed dimmed by his radiance.

“Mr. Hudson is just so good–looking! One glance at him and I could eat an extra meal.”

“He’s so dreamy. With him around, other guys fade into the background.”

“He’s too good for anyone. He’s like a celestial being.”

“What if he has a special taste for mortals?”

Trailing behind Jackson, Owen nudged his glasses. He was totally used to these kinds of scenes, but hearing those girls chatter, he stole a glance at the confident man, thinking he was causing quite a stir. He thought, ‘Mr. Hudson has this charming face yet shows zero interest in women. What kind of person is he into, anyway?‘

“Mr. Hudson, everyone is waiting upstairs,” said Owen.

“Got it,” Jackson replied.

As they entered the elevator, Annie and her family were entering the hotel through the front door.