The Heir's Redemption

Chapter nine

As Chris looked at the scene, he was almost forced to leave Anna in that state, after all, she got what she deserved for trusting a low-life scum like Carter. But he couldn't, Anna was merely shortsighted and materialistic, he couldn't blame her for being that way, she was after all just finding her place in the big elite world and she was bound to fall prey to the likes of Carter. 

 "She wanted the drink, I didn't force her," Carter stated in defense, his hands still cupping his nose. 

Chris glared at the man and thought of throwing the second punch, but he held back, unwilling to cause any scene that would bring the press and mess with his family's reputation. 

 "I'd suggest you get the hell out of here while you still can." He sneered. 

Carter's nose was still bleeding profusely from the targeted punch as he fled the hotel room, leaving his coat and cell phone behind, hurried and afraid that security would be involved in what he'd done soon. 

Christian turned to Anna who was on the bed, her dress ridden up her lap, her face blissfully ignorant of what was no doubt Carter's disgusting plan. As he leaned to her and checked her pulse and breathing, Mr. Potter entered with two security guards. Thankfully, she was still breathing steadily.  

  "How could you allow a man to take an unconscious woman into a room? Do you have any idea what could have happened here tonight?" Chris asked, pissed off at such a level of carelessness. 

 "I can assure you she didn't arrive at the hotel unconscious, Sir. She must have passed out shortly after he signed them both in." The taller of the two men replied. 

 Chris fumed but didn't push it any further. Anneliese was certainly not a drunk but neither was she a lightweight either. If he had to get her unconscious then he was certain he'd slipped something quite strong to knock her out so quickly. 

"Take her to the clinic, make sure she gets all the attention she needs," Chris ordered and the guards nodded solemnly and grabbed her, holstering her up and taking her out of the room. 

 "I can't get back to the party, make sure no one invites me out for any speech, I have to stay here and make sure that she is fine." He said, Mr. Potter nodded and opened the door to leave, just as Chris heard a commotion from the lobby of the hotel. 

  Heading there, he saw the last two people he wished to see that evening. His in-laws, Martin and Laura Stephen, Anna's parents. 

  "What are you doing here? I heard Anna is sick, what did you do to her?" Laura accused pointedly and turned to ask a passing nurse where Anna was.

  "You better talk or we'll get the police involved, what did you do to our daughter? Where is she? And why have you brought her here?" Martin asked all in one breath while trying to calm her exasperated wife who was pacing the lobby restlessly. 

  "Anna is fine, she is just a little drunk, she will be okay soon, she's been taken to___" 

   "Mom? Dad?" Anna asked as she emerged from the hallway of the clinic, her jacket in one hand and another holding her head which was no doubt pounding. 

 A nurse was right behind her and she shook hands with Martin who offered a handshake and leered at the young nurse. 

 "Your daughter is fine, she was merely drugged, but don't worry, it was nothing too much for her system, it's been completely neutralized, she's been discharged but she'll have to come for a check-up again tomorrow, just to be sure." The nurse explained and Martin nodded eagerly. 

"What are you doing here? Did you follow me here?" Anna asked, her tone scornful and impatient. 

  "I heard you were in danger and I came to__" 

   "Please, save it, hero. When was I in danger? Do you think I don't know your scheme? You can't mend what we had, Chris, it's time you moved on and stopped following me around." She started with an angry frown. 

  Chris sneered, upset that she'd dare call him names for trying to help her. "Don't get ahead of yourself, I was only trying to help." He retorted but Anna snorted, obviously thinking he was lying. 

 "First, you show up at the party pretending to be who we all know you're not, now, you're here and you're playing hero now? Come on, Chris quit being absurd and move on." She said with a hiss and moved to stand beside her mother who grabbed her hand and glared at Chris. 

 "Did he molest you?" Martin asked as he looked down at her dress and the jacket in her hand. 

"What?!" Chris bellowed, flabbergasted at such utterance. 

"We can't put it beneath you, a desperate man is ready to do anything you know," Martin said with a shrug. 

  "Don't try to act funny with my daughter or you'll regret knowing this family, you better be careful and stay out of our paths." Martin threatened, pointing at him.

Laura arched her brow and looked down at him condescendingly, "You have never been in our class, I wonder what Anna saw in you." She said,

   "I don't need Anna anymore, I'm over her. I don't see why I'd have to molest her when we've been married for many years, what's new?" He asked with a sarcastic laugh, making Anneliese frown at such a statement. 

  "Then what are you doing here? Why are you following me?" She asked firmly, her voice suddenly high. 

"Like I said, I just wanted to be sure that you're okay. But you don't appreciate that, I'll be sure to leave you to sort yourself out next time," he said and then murmured to himself, "If there's ever a next time." 

   "You're right, there certainly won't be any next time. I'll make sure you're removed from everywhere I'm invited to, I don't want your nuisance trailing me about like a bad stench." She said, 

 Chris looked at her and her family, all three looked at him with scorn, like he was nothing, worry nothing. But he couldn't blame him, they could believe what they wanted. 

  "I wish you could get arrested right away, that would save us the stress of ever seeing your stupid face again..." Anna began but was cut in as Mr Potter entered the lobby and bowed to Chris. 

  Anneliese and her parents stared curiously as the old butler addressed Chris respectfully.

  "Young master, your attention is required at the party urgently, an announcement will be made."