The Stepbrother’s Hidden Desires

Feeling a cool sensation on her palm, Annabel realized that Logan was holding her hand. She immediately shook it off in anger.

“Don’t think I’ll ever be grateful to you. You ruined my family, and no matter what you do, I will always hate you.”

Logan didn’t seem upset. He lazily followed her, replying in a laid-back manner, “No one asked for your gratitude. I just can’t stand seeing someone act brainless, that’s why I stepped in.”

Annabel spun around and shoved him hard, gritting her teeth, “Who are you calling brainless?!”

Logan stumbled back a couple of steps but laughed, “Someone who only know how to use their fists are brainless.” He pointed his chin at her, “Like you!”

With that, he immediately ran past her.

“Logan, stop right there!”

When they finally got to class, the math teacher had already started the lesson. Logan and Annabel entered one after the other. The students craned their necks, giving Annabel looks of schadenfreude and mockery, while they stared at Logan with curiosity.

Annabel glared back fiercely at everyone. Just as she sat down, Logan followed and began emptying George’s desk, throwing all the contents and even the books on top into his arms. The teacher was baffled, “Logan, what are you doing?”

Without turning around, Logan replied, “Taking out the trash!”

“…”

In less than a minute, Logan returned with empty hands. The math teacher sighed inwardly, realizing he had misjudged Logan before. The way Logan had confronted Zara in the office did not match the image of an innocent high school student.

Thinking he could now teach peacefully, the teacher was proven wrong once again as Logan began packing his own belongings.

Aria quickly grabbed his arm, “What are you doing?”

He shook off her hand, “None of your business.”

In front of everyone, he showed no regard for her feelings, causing Aria’s face to turn bright red as she fought back tears.

Logan didn’t spare her a glance. He walked straight to George’s seat and started placing his books into the desk, making it clear he had claimed the spot.

He extended his hand toward Annabel, “Hi, new desk mate.”

Annabel responded coldly, “Logan, are you trying to make yourself even more annoying?”

She knew very well that Thomas must have intervened today; otherwise, Logan wouldn’t have dared to act so brazenly.

Logan stood there with his hand outstretched, stubbornly looking at her while everyone watched.

Annabel glared at him, then reluctantly extended her hand and gave his a symbolic shake.

Aria glared over angrily, noticing that Logan, usually so stoic, was now smiling softly and contentedly.

The math teacher, a young man, realized he had misjudged Logan again. He never imagined that such a top student would so brazenly pursue a girl in class. Though he acknowledged Annabel’s beauty, he wondered who could tolerate her personality.

Annabel protested later, but David didn’t object to Logan switching seats, and so it was settled.

When everyone thought Annabel would be punished, Zara brought George to apologize to her. George admitted that he had borrowed money and gotten into trouble, but out of fear of his parents’ wrath, he lied about helping Annabel.

Annabel waved it off, “Alright, I forgive you, but don’t let it happen again.”

However, she probably wouldn’t consider him a friend anymore.

As soon as George and Zara left the office, Annabel turned to David and boasted, “See how generous I am.”

David felt a mix of guilt and disappointment. He hadn’t believed Annabel, and Logan, at sixteen, had handled the situation better than he had.

Days passed by, with Annabel continuing to be a model student, and Mason and Orla pursuing their musical dreams.

Thomas was busy expanding Green’s Enterprises overseas. For the past six months, he had been focused on an overseas acquisition project that the government also highly valued. Today, the contract was finally signed, marking the completion of the project.

At the evening banquet, Thomas drank a lot, and the socializing lasted until midnight. He pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling an indescribable fatigue.

Liam, in the front passenger seat, glanced back, “Mr. Green, are you feeling alright?”

Thomas leaned back in his seat, “Just a bit tired. I must be getting old, not as capable as I used to be.”

The driver chimed in, “You’re not even fifty yet, still in your prime.”

Thomas chuckled, “Yes, Bella and Gan are still young. I can’t retire just yet.”

Liam’s heart sank a bit. Was Thomas considering including Logan in the list of Green’s Enterprises’ heirs? Brenna must be quite influential.

Half-jokingly, Liam probed, “Bella is the future of Green’s Enterprises. She needs to be well-prepared.”

Thomas smiled faintly, “If Bella has the ability, that would be great. If not, I won’t force it. The industry of professional managers is quite mature now.”

Liam sighed internally. Thomas hadn’t invested much thought in Annabel’s future with the company. Instead, he had been nurturing Logan from a young age, clearly showing Brenna’s influence over him.

The public perception of the current Mrs. Green is that of a gentle, beautiful, and considerate woman. Coming from a small town with no background or education, she doesn’t compare in appearance or figure to Annabel’s mother. Yet, she managed to push her predecessor to the brink and successfully become Mrs. Green, which suggests she can’t be innocent. Liam couldn’t believe for a moment that she has no designs on Green’s Enterprises.

Logan, on the other hand, is promising. Despite his young age, he already shows signs of leadership and poise. Annabel, however, remains quite immature. If a conflict were to arise between them, how could Annabel possibly compete with Logan?

Thomas asked Liam, “Has Bella caused any trouble recently? If she were half as good as Gan, I’d be satisfied.”

Liam felt concerned for Annabel’s future. “Bella is doing quite well. She’s been putting in a lot of effort in her studies. Mr. Curry said her grades have improved significantly. In just one year, she’s ranked in the top thirty in her class, which is impressive.”

Thomas, who hadn’t spent much time with Annabel over the years, mostly left her in the care of her grandmother, only seeing her on holidays and often scolding her.

Thomas nodded, “Annabel’s progress is indeed thanks to Mr. Curry.”

Liam nodded and then remembered something important. He decided to take a risk and bring it up, “By the way, Christopher is back.”

Thomas’s face darkened immediately, and he asked coldly, “What is he back for?”

“He mentioned in an interview that he plans to develop his career back here.”

Christopher had been a judge at the competition Annabel participated in, and they must have met. However, Christopher likely hadn’t said anything about it, or Annabel wouldn’t be so calm. Liam hesitated for a long time but ultimately didn’t mention Annabel’s participation in the competition.

“Keep an eye on him. If he causes any trouble, I won’t hold back.”

Thomas’s eyes turned fierce, and Liam couldn’t help but shudder at the intensity. He quickly agreed.

Thomas didn’t say another word for the rest of the drive. As the car passed under the flickering lights outside, Liam glanced curiously in the rearview mirror. Thomas was deep in thought, staring out the window without a hint of sleepiness.

Was Thomas thinking about that poor woman who had been so crazy about him, who had died for him?

The car turned onto a tree-lined path, and from a distance, they could see Brenna standing at the gate, wrapping her shawl tighter around herself.

The driver stopped the car at the gate, and Thomas smiled as he saw Brenna. He reached out to take her hand, “I told you not to wait up. It’s so late and cold.”

“It’s alright. I can’t sleep when you’re not home.”

The driver and Liam exchanged smiles. Liam greeted them and was about to leave when Brenna called after him, “Thank you for your hard work. Be careful on your way home.”

The driver had great respect for Brenna. There weren’t many bosses’ wives who were so kind to their subordinates. “You’re too kind. It’s my duty.”

Brenna smiled, took Thomas’s bag, and scolded him playfully, “Did you drink too much again? I’ve made some soup to help you sober up. Have some before you go to bed.”

The couple walked into the house hand in hand. The driver, watching them, sighed, “With such a gentle, virtuous, and beautiful wife at home, it’s no wonder Mr. Green isn’t interested in any of the young ladies out there.”

Liam just smiled and kept quiet. After having seen Essem’s beauty, Brenna was nothing in comparison.

The house was quiet, with the servants and children already asleep. Brenna brought him a bowl of hangover soup and watched as he drank it.

“I’ll get you your pajamas. Take a bath before you go to bed,” she said.

Thomas waved her off. “You go to bed first. I’m going to check on Bella.”

She teased him, “She should already be asleep. She’s not a little kid anymore; you don’t need to tuck her in.”

Brenna could tell that Thomas had something on his mind ever since he got out of the car. Now, in the middle of the night, he wanted to check on Annabel, which seemed even more unusual.

“I just want to make sure she’s home and not sneaking out again. She’s good at fooling the adults.”

Thomas had never done anything like this before, and he didn’t know why he felt the need to check on her tonight. It seemed that only seeing her would put his mind at ease.

On the third floor, only Annabel and Logan lived there. The right side had the study and living room, while the left side had two bedrooms. Annabel’s room was the innermost one. The door was unlocked, and Thomas quietly turned the doorknob.

The light was on in the room. Annabel, wearing her koala pajamas, was sitting at her desk with her chin resting on one hand, doing her homework at this late hour?

Annabel heard the noise and turned around. Seeing Thomas, she frowned, “What’s up?”

Her attitude was as indifferent as ever, but Thomas, who was suddenly feeling paternal, felt a pang of sadness. “It’s late. What are you doing? You should go to bed.”

“Homework. I have an exam tomorrow.”

Thomas glanced over. Sure enough, it was a physics workbook. He said casually, “You seem particularly fond of physics. It’s not good to be so one-sided in your studies.”

Her physics grades were in the top twenty of her class, but her chemistry was still at the bottom. Thomas knew the reason very well.

Trying to act like a normal father, he intended to pat his daughter’s head and say a few encouraging words.

Annabel seemed to sense this. She snapped her workbook shut and stretched, coincidentally avoiding his hand.

Thomas felt a bit awkward. This was his only child, yet because of adult grudges, he had never treated her well. Even now, living under the same roof, he rarely spent time with her. When he was younger, he didn’t see anything wrong with this, but now that he was older, he felt regret.

“This weekend I have to go to the resort to meet a friend. Would you like to come with me for a couple of days? They have hot springs and nice scenery.”

He added, “Just the two of us, no one else.”

Annabel yawned and looked at him. “No, thanks. I’m tired.”

It was clear she was dismissing him. Thomas felt a pang of disappointment. Was it too late to try and get closer to her now?