Chapter 16
+15 BÔNUS
Anne’s side profile moved in and out of the screen. It had been circled in red, perhaps to make it easier for people to detect her.
In the video, Anne’s sweaty face was filled with anxiety and fear from the crowd of people pressing against her. Then, she seemed to look in Ned’s direction and call out his name. After that, she tried to move forward through the crowd with difficulty.
When her face was close enough to show up clearly in the video, she was suddenly shoved forward, knocking against Ned’s arm, which was wrapped protectively around Ingrid. Ingrid lost her balance because of the heels she wore.
As everyone screamed, Ned and Ingrid rolled down the staircase. Ned’s arm was still wrapped protectively around Ingrid.
The viral video ended there. It was obvious that someone had pushed Anne.
When Zachary saw Angeline insisted on seeing Anne, he turned the car around and made a beeline for the police station. He waited for her there.
When he saw her get out of the cab, he straightened up from where he leaned against his car and stubbed out his cigarette. He hurried forward to stop her. “Angie, there’s already too huge a misunderstanding between you and Ned.
“If you get caught up in this mess, it’s highly likely he’ll think you instructed Anne to hurt Ingrid. Do you think he’ll let Anne off the hook?”
“We’ve already gotten divorced. Why would I need to do anything to Ingrid?” Angeline shoved his hand away.
Anne and the fans who’d caused trouble had been taken to the police station. It had been close to half a year since they’d last seen each other; Anne shot to her feet when she saw Angeline. Her pale face was covered in tears.
“Sit down!” a police officer barked.
Anne sat down fearfully. She didn’t take her eyes off Angeline. It was only after Angeline had spoken to the police and walked in Anne’s direction that Anne burst into tears. “I didn’t harm anyone, Angie! Someone pushed me! I already told the police I’m not a bad person!”
Angeline held Anne’s cuffed hands and tried to calm her down. “I know, I know! I already saw the video. Don’t be scared, Anne. Tell me why you were at the airport in the first place.”
+15 BÔNUS
“I just arrived in Oceanford. Just last week, the Emmersons came to me and said that Benjamin had reached an age where he could marry. They wanted me to give them your mother’s number, but I told them your mother was already dead. (1)
“Then, they demanded I give them your grandfather’s number. They said that Benjamin’s his grandson as well, so he has to help prepare the wedding gifts. I kept telling them I didn’t know anything. 1
“A few days ago, that scumbag, George, called me and said he was going to have Benjamin join some TV program to help him search for his family. He threatened to expose you and ruin your reputation if I didn’t give him your mother’s or grandfather’s number.”
Anne sobbed. “I knew about what happened to you in Oceanford. Those photos … I was worried about you but didn’t dare to call you to ask about it. Yesterday, the staff from that TV program, ‘The Family Search‘, called me and asked me some questions.
“Then, they said they’d buy me a flight ticket to take me to Oceanford so I could act as a witness in the TV program. I only wanted to take the chance to speak up to you; it was also a chance for me to visit you and Ned.”
A TV program that helped others search for their family? Angeline’s heart jolted.
Anne wiped her tears. “I even brought a photo of you and Ned visiting me at our village every summer. I figured that since he’d lost his memories, maybe the photo could make him remember something. When I saw him at the airport earlier, I… I just wanted to show him the photo.
“I didn’t mean to hurt anyone! You know I wouldn’t do anything like that! You have to believe me, Angie!”
Anne hadn’t known a thing about Ned losing his memories. Whenever she spoke to Angeline over the phone, she would urge Angeline and Ned to throw a wedding.
