Read Novel Full Chapter 453: Leverage
Chapter 453: Chapter 453: Leverage
But she never expected Annie to stop her midway.
Annie had announced in a cold voice, "Others already know my identity as illegtimate child, I won’t participate from now on."
She had begged Annie, but Annie ignored her request.
The sugar daddy too stopped sending money, angering her.
From that moment on, she began searching relentlessly for Annie’s weakness, her eyes watching every reaction, every subtle change in expression.
It didn’t take long before she found it. Annie was deeply attached to her younger brother, far more than she let on, and the moment that truth became clear, her lips curved into a satisfied smile.
’So this is it... the leverage I’ve been waiting for.’
She seized the opportunity without hesitation. Her voice was calm, almost casual, as she looked at Annie and spoke words that cut far deeper than any blade.
"If you don’t participate in the competition, I’ll stop paying for your brother’s treatment."
Those words struck Annie like a sudden blow. Her breath hitched, her fingers curling tightly at her sides as panic finally surfaced in her eyes.
"I’ll do it. I promise I’ll bring the money."
Only then did she truly realize something important.
It wasn’t just her sugar daddy who could provide her with money anymore. Annie herself was now a far more reliable source.
The thought thrilled her, excitement rippling through her veins as hesitation vanished completely.
From that day onward, she began exploiting Annie’s weakness without restraint, using her brother as a chain to bind her.
And it worked.
She thrived on that single fact for years, living comfortably, greedily, without a shred of guilt.
But now, with the truth finally exposed, she knew it was over.
She could no longer manipulate Annie the way she once had. Worse, a chilling thought crossed her mind.
’Perhaps by now, Annie has even begun to resent her own brother.’
That possibility made her clench her teeth. She decided to go all out.
She lifted her head and looked at Annie with a smile that felt disturbingly calm, almost gentle.
"Anyways. Even if you want to cut off our relationship, I don’t have any problem with that."
Annie stiffened.
Her mother continued, her tone light, almost amused.
"But you should remember one thing. The moment you leave, your younger brother will die too."
The air seemed to freeze. Annie’s fury exploded instantly, her eyes blazing as her chest rose and fell violently. "You..."
Before she could finish, the woman spoke again, her smile unwavering, her words cruelly precise.
"I know. You’ll say you don’t care."
Annie smirked faintly, her eyes cold as she tilted her head. "Why would I?"
Her voice was steady, almost detached. "You say you don’t care, so why should I?"
She wanted to make sure that the woman didn’t use it as an opportunity to exploit her.
"Then I will kill this boy." The woman said.
With that, she turned her gaze toward the boy lying stiffly on the sofa, wrapped in a thin blanket, his face pale and expression empty, as if he had already withdrawn from the world.
Without hesitation, she rushed toward him.
But before either of them could react... her younger brother suddenly moved. It was as if something inside him finally snapped. He shot up from the sofa and bolted toward the kitchen.
Annie froze for a split second, terror flooding her veins. "Wait!"
She chased after him immediately. Behind her, the woman also stood stunned, realization crashing into her far too late.
The sharp sound of movement and frantic footsteps echoed through the narrow corridor, followed by the unmistakable noise of struggle.
Panic seized her heart, and she rushed toward the kitchen as well.
The moment she reached the doorway, her breath caught in her throat.
Her son was struggling violently, his small hands gripping a knife, while Annie desperately tried to wrest it away from him.
She had spoken those words only to test Annie, only to see if she could still manipulate her one last time. But now, seeing her own child trying to end his life, fear crushed her chest like a vice.
"What are you doing?!" she screamed, her voice breaking.
Her son didn’t even look at her.
His tear-filled eyes were fixed on Annie as he struggled weakly.
"Don’t stop me," he cried. "I’m the reason you suffered. I’m the reason for all your pain."
Annie’s hands trembled as she tried to restrain him. "Stop talking. Just stop."
But he shook his head violently, tears streaming down his face.
"If it wasn’t for me, you would have known the truth long ago. You would have left. You would have lived a good life. You might even have reached a better place in this apocalypse."
His voice cracked as guilt spilled out uncontrollably.
"It’s because of my useless body that you had to beg her again and again. That woman who calls herself our mother."
The woman stood frozen, stunned by the venom in her son’s words. She had always underestimated him.
She never imagined he was capable of such pain, such clarity.
Then he spoke again, sobbing uncontrollably.
"I don’t want to live with a mother like this. If I have to live with her, I’d rather die. Even if I survive, I’ll always feel guilty knowing I ruined your life."
He struggled harder, his voice hoarse.
"You’ve always been kind to me. So please... just let me die."
Annie’s heart shattered.
"What are you thinking?!" she shouted, her voice raw.
"You’re my younger brother. It’s only right that I do everything for you."
Hearing that, he cried even harder, shaking his head desperately. "I don’t want to live!"
He twisted his wrist, dragging the blade toward his skin.
Annie reacted instantly. Using all her strength, she forcefully knocked the knife out of his hand, sending it clattering across the floor.
The boy finally stopped struggling.
But instead of relief, his eyes turned eerily blank as he stared at the floor, his expression hollow, as if he had already made a decision in his heart.