Take Control of Yourself, Please novel (Anna and Liam)
Chapter 31 An Illegitimate Child

Bryan's arms were wrapped around Anna.

He showed affection toward her in front of everyone to put Grandmother Dawson at ease with their relationship, assuring her that the incident with Ryan did not create any lasting impact. After all, he could not risk Grandmother Dawson calling off the marriage.

Secondly, he wanted to shut Amelia up as Grandmother Dawson was inclined to believe her if she were to spill the secret between him and Chloe.

Lastly, it served as a warning for Chloe to take it down a notch and stop fanning the flames. That day's incident would not escalate further than this.

"Anna, next time, ask me to go with you. It's dangerous for a woman to wander out alone at night. I'm your fiance. You can share your burdens with me."

Anna could see the frost in Liam's eyes. Liam stared at hers as if he were about to gobble them up at any second.

She tried to push Byran away, yet he responded by hugging her even tighter. He even brought his lips close to her ear and whispered softly so that only the two of them could be heard.

"You wouldn't want to ruin this marriage now would you?!"

There was not a hint of warmth in Anna's eyes. She could already guess Bryan's intentions behind his actions.

Grandmother Dawson had always been quick-witted. Moreover, her more traditional views meant she cared about nothing more than her family's reputation. Although Anna had explained that she was at the church the night before, it would not stop the guests from spreading rumors about her.

At the end of the day, there was no way Grandmother Dawson would not mind a girl with a tainted reputation.

When Liam saw that the two were still holding each other, his expression turned so dark it felt as if a storm were approaching.

"Get out, all of you! Aunty needs to rest!" Liam commanded.

Bryan quickly let go of Anna but then grabbed her hand. He nodded toward Liam respectfully and left holding Anna's hand.

Liam clenched his fists. Only when he saw Anna pulling away from Bryan the moment they exited the room did Liam unclench his fists.

No matter how dissatisfied Nicole and Chloe were, they still had no reason to remain in the room.

They glanced at the man sitting next to Grandmother Dawson's bed. Although Liam had not said much throughout the argument and appeared as a neutral party, Anna still could not have gotten away so easily had he not vouched for her!

Was Liam intentionally coming to her aid?

Perhaps it was just their imagination. After all, why would a man like Liam protect Anna?!

Besides, everyone knew that Liam was gay. There was no way he would fall for a girl.

Annoyed, Nicole and Anna left, leaving only Liam and Grandmother Dawson in the room.

Grandmother Dawson held on to Liam's large hand. Her eyes were filled with kindness. "Liam, if it weren't for you vouching for Anna, there would be no end to this dispute.

"You have my gratitude."

"Aunty, don't say that." Liam's gaze softened. His eyes were no longer filled with the frost from earlier. Even the stiff corner of his eyes had softened. Grandmother Dawson sighed. "I'm old now. The world belongs to the young! Yet look at Bryan... He's still acting so rash. He can't manage his anger." Liam did not reply.

Grandmother Dawson patted his hand. "If only Bryan possessed half your composure and wisdom... then, I'll be able to rest in peace."

Liam knew that there was a motive behind her words- she hinted at him to look out for Bryan.

Perhaps Liam would have agreed without hesitation were it not for Anna.

"Bryan's father left us early. I only have one grandson, so I have no choice but to put all my hopes on the boy. He has lived a tough life... He never had a mother and was bullied as a child. Only when he turned ten was h e taken back into the Dawson family."

Grandmother Dawson sighed again. "Liam, I know you didn't see Anna leaving last night! You just wanted to put an end to this mess..."

Liam gazed at his aunty's eyes, which were still sharp despite being hazy. His heart could not help but ache.

His heart ached for Anna.

She was trapped in the whirlpool of this big family, filled with people who schemed and plotted against her. He thought about how helpless she must have felt at times.

He thought about the night he first met her. She was a s drunk as a skunk, yet she pretended to be strong. Nonetheless, she could not hide the pain and helplessness within her eyes.

"Liam, I know you're being put in a tight spot, but seeing that I've pampered you so dearly in the past, can you please promise you'll help him?"

When he saw the tears welled up in her eyes, his heart softened and he nodded.

"Alright, I promise."

Grandmother Dawson smiled with gratitude. She lifted her hand and gently caressed his cheeks. Her expression was filled with tenderness and woe. "My poor little Liam, you've finally grown up. And you've grown into such a fine and successful man. I'm proud of you."

A void formed behind Liam's eyes but disappeared just as quickly as it formed.

He put on a reserved smile that was as calm as a stagnant pond.

"Aunty, I'm the Ackman prince with assets worth billions of dollars. Others will laugh if they heard your words."

Grandmother Dawson quickly hid away the sorrow in her eyes. She wiped at the wet corner of her eyes. "Alright, alright. I'll stop."

Liam stood up. "Rest well Aunty, I have some matters to attend to."

"Alright, go do your thing."

As Liam strode out of the room, his mind could not help but wonder where Anna and Bryan went after they left the room. He wondered what they were doing. When he saw that the corridor outside was empty, a spark of fury ignited in his chest.

How dare that little lady leave without saying a word!

He helped her so much in there!

Was she out there acting all lovey-dovey with her fiance again? Was she trying to salvage Bryan's image of her?

Suddenly, an image of Anna explaining the situation to Bryan in a soft, coquettish voice appeared in Liam's mind. She was begging him to forgive her.

Liam's flames of fury burnt so fiercely that he could kill someone.

However, the reality was not as Liam imagined it to be. Outside the hospital, Anna had been cornered by Amelia and her stinging tongue.

"Hoho... I thought you've run away with a rogue! I can't believe you came back again! Honestly, why did you even come back? All the relatives of the Dawson family, both close and distant, now know about this scandal. Do you feel no shame?"

Amelia glared at Anna with wide-opened eyes. She watched her red lips repeatedly part and close as she spewed her vitriol.

Anna gazed at Amelia calmly, having no intention of wasting her breath on Amelia.

Amelia had mocked Anna ever since she got engaged to Bryan. At first, she still took the fact that Anna was from the Hamilton family into account, but after the incident with Ryan Sanchez, Amelia finally unleashed her true colors.

Anna had always known that Amelia was against her marriage with Bryan. She did not want an alliance between the Dawson and the Hamilton family.

Marrying the future head of the Lincoln Group meant Bryan would cement his position in the family.

Amelia's blood boiled when she saw Anna keeping silent. She became even more conceited. "You're the eldest daughter of the Hamilton family, the sole successor of Lincoln Group! How did you fall for an illegitimate child!"

Bryan had just returned from the parking lot with his car and heard Amelia's words loud and clear. The words 'illegitimate child' had always been a thorn in his heart.

He clutched the steering wheel tightly, yearning to break it into pieces. An intense look of resentment appeared in his eyes.

"One day, I will trample on all of you!"

His hostile gaze landed on Amelia, then on Anna. That woman was already shining among the stars. When he married her, his position in the family would still remain below hers!

That was because, in everyone's eyes, he would always be an illegitimate child!