The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 743 Crank Calls

As Sheryl prepared to leave, Laura was a little stunned by her instant and unconditional promise. She then stopped her by saying, "How could you walk away without my permission?

You most definitely cannot just leave. I am still not done with you!" Sheryl ran out of patience and turned around to tell Laura in no uncertain terms, "Aunt Laura, I have acceded to all your demands and now it is time for you to stop blaming me."

"I will not tolerate any more of your hypocrisy and duplicity!" Laura smiled coldly and said, "I know that you are far too cunning and greedy to agree to breaking off your relationship with Anthony without a reason."

Laura asked Sheryl in a contemptuous manner, "What scheme is cooking in your brain now? What plan are you thinking of?"

Sheryl, feeling a little humiliated, replied helplessly, "I have agreed to part ways with Anthony as per your demand. I fail to understand what else I need to do to satisfy you?"

Sheryl was mindful of Shirley's condition. She was not interested in arguing with Laura and wanted to finish this conversation and leave as soon as possible.

The unpleasant episode last night had cemented Sheryl's desire of distancing herself from Anthony. She had absolutely no intentions of entertaining any connection or even thoughts of him in the future. She managed to talk to Laura sincerely, "Aunt Laura, I am fully aware of your intention to keep Anthony from me. I realize you will never accept me as his wife and will do your best to spoil our possible marriage. Considering all this I have terminated my relationship with Anthony and now you are nothing but a stranger to me."

Saying this Sheryl left the garden. Laura was still unconvinced.

Laura reflected for some time on Sheryl's easy consent. She suspected Sheryl of some ulterior motive. She thought that as a safety measure she should confirm it with Anthony.

"Aunt Laura, how did your talk with Sheryl go?" Seeing Sheryl leave, Junia came over to help Laura back to the ward.

Laura frowned and told Junia, "I still... doubt Sheryl's claim to have ended her relationship with Anthony. What do you think Junia? Do you think this could be true?"

"I cannot say!" Junia helped Laura to her bed and poured a glass of water for her. She then said, "Sheryl is a sensible woman. She would not lie to you, I think. Please believe her."

"Definitely not! I sense something is amiss," Laura frowned, "and I believe she is somehow plotting to marry Anthony without my knowledge."

"Aunt Laura, please do not trouble yourself with this matter any more." Junia looked at Laura helplessly and said, "Your health is more important. Don't stress yourself out with all these thoughts." Honestly Junia was beginning to regret her visit to Y City with Laura.

"Junia, do you not understand that I want to clear the way for you and Anthony?" Laura looked at Junia meaningfully. "I sensed more cunning than sincerity in Sheryl's words." Junia forced a smile on her face and said, "Whatever you think and do, I kindly request you not to involve me in it. I am not interested in this undesirable match any more." "Junia..." Laura's voice trailed away and she was very upset at Junia's words.

"Aunt Laura! I am very sorry." Junia felt it was necessary to prevent Laura from further match making. "Please drop this matter or I will be forced to leave you alone and go back home." Seeing Junia get upset, Laura decided to let the matter rest for sometime.

She tried to change the topic. She requested Junia to call Anthony as she wanted to meet him.

"Okay." Junia nodded in approval. She herself wanted to ask Anthony to fulfill his role of a devoted son.

This way she could be spared from taking care of Laura. She was tired and felt she could not bear a single day more in Laura's company.

But the calls went unanswered and Laura became anxious about that.

Junia threw her cellphone down in exasperation and said, "He is not answering my calls. I have tried several times."

Laura requested Junia pay Anthony a visit at his house. She wanted to see if he was in any trouble. Junia agreed after some initial reluctance.

As she knocked on the door of Anthony's house, no one opened the door. She tried a few more times and waited for some minutes for someone to come out.

Back in the ward, Junia relayed this news to Laura, who became even more anxious.

Her maternal love for Anthony drove her to tears and she imagined the worst had happened to him.

Junia, seeing Laura distressed over Anthony, had to console her by reminding her that Anthony was a mature and grown-up man. He could take care of himself. After consoling Laura and giving her some food, she left her to sleep. She walked out of the ward and called Anthony again. There was no response still.

At last, she had no option but to text Anthony. She texted him requesting him to call back his mother as soon as he was able to.

In Sue's apartment

Anthony saw the message and dismissed it roughly. Sue came over to ask him why he was not answering the calls. Someone was obviously trying to reach him desperately. "These are crank calls!" Anthony replied nonchalantly. He was in no mood to answer Junia's and his mother's calls.