Revenge of the Hideous Lady (Xyla Quest)
Chapter 2144

"Keep Annabeth company. Got it?" Sharon Lindt told Josh Batton, gazing at him solemnly as he nodded obediently.

At that moment, Annabeth Cates felt like they were treating her like a child.

Holding Wilson Batton's hand, Sharon then walked into the kitchen, leaving Josh behind to watch television with Annabeth in his arms.

"I feel bad. Are you sure we don't need to help your parents? They must be tired from all the work recently."

"You heard what they said, right? They asked me to keep you company, so they would be angry if I go in there. They'll be even more upset if you go in there and probably yell at me," he told her. "All right, then."

"Anyway, I've discovered that you're now the most important person in this house, while I'm the least important," he said.

"Do you feel disappointed?" Annabeth asked when she heard this.

"Why should I feel disappointed that my parents are good to you? I'd only feel that way if the opposite were true. Like, for instance, Sebastian's parents..." he trailed off.

Frowning at the mention of what happened with Sebastian Brenand and Rachel Wood, Annabeth's facial expression turned gloomy. "I feel sorry for Rachel."

The two ladies' lives were vastly different despite being with wealthy men.

The Battons pampered her, while Sebastian's parents nearly destroyed Rachel.

She didn't dare to imagine what could've happened if Rachel hadn't managed to escape from that village. She'd have goosebumps whenever the thought struck her. Compared to her friend, Annabeth was much luckier not to have an evil mother-in-law or father-in-law, constantly protected by the people around her.

"Yeah, I feel the same way. Sebastian's parents are terrible," Josh agreed.

"If I were him, I'd cut off ties with them, too. They went too far," she sighed.

"Yeah. Maybe you should spend more time talking to Rachel when you're free to comfort her or accompany her," he suggested.

"Yeah, I will. We've been chatting a

lot lately. I sensed that she's still feeling dark

down and hasn't let go.net

past yet."

her

However, Annabeth could empathize with her friend, knowing how anyone would have trouble recovering if

theething similar happened to

BUMS

them.

Some people might need to spend a lifetime to get over it.

"After all, the things she went through were terrifying," Josh said.

"Yeah, she barely made it out alive she said thoughtfully, admiring Rachel for what she overcame despite the odds stacked against her at the time.

Rachel still did her best to escape and even managed to return to the city.

Annabeth wasn't sure if she'd had the courage and determination to do the same if it had happened to her.

***

Wilson and Sharon worked efficiently together in the kitchen.

Approximately an hour later, they had prepared a table full of delicious dishes, a balanced diet of all the food Annabeth enjoyed.

It was a heart-warming scene where everyone relished the meal.