Chapter 120: He wants me to withdraw

Meanwhile, across the city, in a dimly lit office perched high above the skyline, Daniel Clafford sat in his executive chair, his expression darkening by the second.

The soft glow of his phone screen was the only light reflecting in his eyes, now blazing with irritation.

“What does she mean she has someone in her life?” he muttered under his breath, his voice low and dangerous.

The more he reread her text, the tighter his jaw clenched. A muscle ticked at the corner of his temple.

Then, suddenly, his expression froze. His thoughts stilled for half a second before a scowl slowly curved across his face.

“Is she talking about Ethan?” he said aloud, his voice laced with disbelief. “Her crush?”

He leaned back in his chair, the leather creaking softly as he exhaled through his nose. He hadn’t planned to text her tonight. In fact, he’d told himself to leave her alone.

But then Ethan, of all people had followed her. And not just that. He’d commented on her post. Publicly.

That was what had triggered him. The thought of Anna smiling at Ethan’s words, even for a second, had been enough to make his blood boil.

On paper, yes, they were married. But the world didn’t know that. They had agreed to keep their relationship private for their own reasons.

She wanted freedom and he wanted silence.

It was supposed to be simple. But it wasn’t. Not anymore.

Because the idea of her belonging, even momentarily, to someone else gnawed at him in a way he couldn’t explain.

Daniel exhaled sharply and dragged a hand through his hair, frustration coursing through him. “Don’t tell me…” he murmured, realization dawning with a mix of irritation and amusement, “she’s saying that just to get under my skin.”

The corner of his mouth lifted, his anger fading into something darker, something dangerously close to satisfaction.

“Oh, Anna,” he muttered, leaning back with a faint smirk curving his lips. “If you think this will make me back off… you’re sorely mistaken.”

A low chuckle escaped him as he opened their chat again, fingers gliding across the screen. His earlier irritation had turned into amusement before he texted back.

DarkKnight_07: Then I feel sorry for him, because soon he’ll be out of your life.

Anna stared at the screen, her breath catching.

“…”

Her eyes widened as she reread the message.

“Is he trying to threaten me?” she muttered under her breath, frowning. “Why does it sound like an attack?”

A chill crept up her spine, confusion and unease mixing in equal measure. Before her mind could even piece together what he meant, another message popped up.

DarkKnight_07: Don’t worry. I know you’re lying. A new actress like you wouldn’t risk her career over a love affair.

Anna blinked in disbelief, her mouth parting slightly. The sudden shift in tone from possessive to casual made her dizzy.

A moment ago, he’d sounded almost menacing. Now he was teasing again, as if nothing had happened.

“This,” she sighed, dragging a hand down her face, “is exactly why I find him so annoying.”

Her thumbs flew across the keyboard.

Anna: Then why bother asking if you already knew the answer?

For a few seconds, there was silence. Then her phone vibrated again.

DarkKnight_07: Just curious. You keep declining to be friends with me, and I can’t figure out why.

Anna exhaled sharply, shaking her head. “Unbelievable.”

“That’s because I don’t know you” she typed and pressed the hit button to which came his quick reply.

“That’s why we need to get to know each other.” Anna could only roll her eyes as she failed to get rid of this person.

Turning off her screen, she tossed her phone aside and ignored the man.

When Anna didn’t reply, Daniel decided not to push further. For once, he forced himself to let it go.

He shut off the screen and leaned back in his chair, exhaling deeply.

But peace didn’t come.

His insecurities had a way of crawling back, louder each time he tried to silence them.

The more he learned about Anna, the more he found himself consumed by thoughts he couldn’t control. Her quiet strength. Her stubbornness. The way she looked at him, not with admiration like everyone else, but with resistance.

And then there was Ethan.

Ever since he’d found out about Anna’s old crush, something inside him had snapped. Every time he thought of her smiling at Ethan, every memory of her laughter not meant for him, it burned.

He had once believed that controlling her life would somehow draw her closer to him, that if he kept her within reach, he could protect her, own her, even. But when he heard her say that he loved Katherine… that she was just a replacement… something inside him cracked open.

That was when he understood her resentment wasn’t just defiance, it was pain. And forcing his way into her world would only make her run farther.

That was why he became DarkKnight_07—to know her without the weight of their names, to understand the woman behind the guarded silence. But even that wasn’t easy. Anna had walls higher than any he’d ever seen.

And yet… he couldn’t stop trying to climb them.

By the time Daniel reached home, the night had settled deep and quiet. The grand hallway was dimly lit, the soft hum of the chandelier echoing faintly above.

As he stepped inside, Mariam appeared from the kitchen, bowing slightly.

“Master,” she greeted softly. “Should I plate your dinner?”

Daniel paused mid-step, glancing at his watch. “What about Anna? Has she eaten yet?”

“No, Master,” Mariam replied.

“Then prepare for two,” he said curtly, turning toward the stairs.

By the time Daniel returned — showered, dressed in a loose black shirt, hair still damp Anna was already at the dining table.

She sat there quietly, swirling her fork through the untouched food on her plate. Her expression was distant, eyes lost in thought.

Daniel’s steps were silent until his voice cut through the air.

“Are you waiting for me to feed you?”

Anna jumped slightly, her fork clattering against the plate. She looked up, startled, only to find Daniel standing there with a faint, teasing smile playing on his lips.

For a second, she thought maybe she was imagining it. That smile warm, almost boyish didn’t belong on the face of the man she knew. But then again, she’d seen it before.

And she didn’t like what it did to her.

Her expression hardened instantly. “Don’t think so highly of yourself,” she said coolly. “I’d rather starve than wait for you to feed me. Who knows maybe you’ll poison me just to shut me up.”

Daniel’s smile vanished. “There you go again,” he muttered, rounding the table to take the seat across from her. “How many times do I have to tell you I wouldn’t do that?”

Anna squinted at him, watching his mood shift in seconds. He was impossible — friendly one moment, unreadable the next. Still, she couldn’t resist teasing him. Maybe it was her own form of revenge for all the confusion he caused her.

“Relax, Mr. Clafford,” she murmured, picking up her fork again. “You take things too seriously.”

He didn’t reply. Just watched her in silence.

And that was when she caught it the faint scent of his cologne, mixed with something fresh and clean. Body wash, maybe and her chest tightened unexpectedly.

’Why does he smell so good,’ she thought irritably, blinking hard.

It was the same scent that lingered in the bedroom at night something she tried not to think about.

Anna shook her head, forcing her focus back to her food.

“By the way,” she said suddenly, her tone shifting to something more serious, “there’s something you should know.”

Daniel’s gaze flickered up, his attention sharpening instantly.

“My dad called this morning,” she continued. “He wants me to withdraw from the film.”

For a moment, Daniel said nothing. His jaw tightened, but his expression remained calm — too calm.

Of course Hugo knew. No matter how careful they’d been, secrets never stayed buried long in that family.

“And you agreed?” he asked finally, his tone unreadable.

Anna shook her head. “No.”

Daniel blinked. The simplicity of her answer caught him off guard, but before he could feel even a hint of relief, she spoke again.

“But that doesn’t mean he’ll stop trying to interfere,” she added, meeting his gaze with quiet defiance. “Which is why…”

She paused, a small, almost dangerous smile curving her lips.

“…I made you the bait. Since you’re already supporting me.”

For a heartbeat, Daniel just stared at her stunned, then incredulous.

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