The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus)

Chapter 500

Johanson's confrontation had Grant's face turning a mottled shade of red and blue. He opened his mouth to defend himself, but found he had no leg to stand on. Shamefaced, he simply hung his head and fell silent.

Witnessing the father-son standoff, Joseph quickly stepped in as peacemaker. "Hey, hey, it's just a picture, right? C'mon, Grant, just give it back to the kid. Once we hook up with those Southeast Asian cartels, we'll be rolling in dough and babes, right?"

Turning to the fuming Johanson, Joseph chided, "And you, young man, no yelling in front of the adults. Where are your manners?"

Johanson shot Joseph a glare, disliking the man's intimidating demeanor. "Give me Aunt Gabby's picture!" Johanson demanded, his hand outstretched with unwavering resolve.

Embarrassed in front of Joseph by his own son, Grant's expression soured. He reluctantly pulled out Gabby's picture from his pocket and handed it over. "Here!"

"If anyone dares to mess with Anna again, they're messing with me, and | won't let them off easy, no one!" Johanson clutched the treasured photo and tossed these words at Grant before dashing out the door.From NôvelDrama.Org.

Joseph tried to lighten the mood. "Grant, don’t look so down. Once we nail this deal, you can forget about that maid and find a new gal.”

Grant nodded morosely, not in the mood for further conversation.

Rushing back to the doctor's house, Johanson called out before even reaching the door, "Anna, Anna, | got Aunt Gabby's picture back for you!"

Looking pale and lying in bed, Anna brightened at his words. She eagerly looked up with anticipation shining in her eyes. Johanson, bursting with excitement, handed the photo to Anna. "Here, Aunt Gabby's picture."

Anna's hands trembled as she accepted the photo, her eyes brimming with tears. "Thank you, thank you, Johanson." Johanson scratched his head, a bit embarrassed, "It's no big deal; I'm your brother, after all."

Feeling rejuvenated by the photo, Anna insisted, "Johanson, let's go. | feel better already.”

"No," Johanson shook his head and scooped her into his arms. "I'll carry you home and won't let anyone bully you again!" With Anna in his arms, he strode towards the mansion.

Along the way, the housemaids saw Johanson tenderly carrying Anna. He loudly proclaimed her as his sister, warning that disrespect toward her was disrespectful toward him.

When Johanson arrived home with Anna, Grant had already left the estate with Joseph, supposedly to handle some big business.

All the better, Johanson thought. He summoned the head butler and made it clear that Anna was to be treated with the same respect as him. Anyone who disobeyed would be thrown to the wolves on the back hills!

Johanson's decree meant everyone in the estate treated Anna like royalty.

Since leaving with Joseph, Grant rarely returned. Johanson didn't care to concern himself with his negligent father, focusing instead on caring for Anna and ensuring their days were untouchable and happy.

Under Johanson's care, Anna slowly emerged from her grief over losing Gabby and began to brighten. Time flew during joyful days, and before they knew it, Anna had grown another year older within the walls of the estate. After the New Year's celebrations, Anna stubbornly asked Johanson to teach her martial arts, wanting to grow up faster.

Johanson had a fierce temper but was always gentle with Anna. He not only agreed to her request but took on the role of her personal instructor.

One day, as he was teaching Anna, the butler came running with bad news. "Trouble, young master! The lord of the manor's in trouble."

Johanson and Anna paused, and Johanson asked calmly, "Slow down, don't panic. What happened to my father?"

Panting, the butler replied, "The lord... do you remember when he left with Joseph last time? Well, he got mixed up with those Southeast Asian drug lords. Business was booming until yesterday when police from the States caught him! Oh, what do we do now?"

Johanson remained composed. "It's not his first time getting caught, no need to fret."

"But, young master, | heard the police are cracking down hard this time, saying they want to take down our operation for good," the butler lamented.

"Don't lump us together! My father is my father; | am me! Tell Grandfather about this; he'll know what to do. Now leave; don't interrupt my training," Johanson scolded, clearly displeased with the butler's earlier insinuation.

With a scolding behind him, the butler went off to find the estate's patriarch.

Once alone, Anna tugged at Johanson's sleeve. "Don't worry, Johanson. Uncle Grant will be alright."

Johanson managed a smile. "It's fine. He's always landed on his feet. Now, let's get back to practice."

Anna nodded and continued her training. She had to grow up fast.

In the States. At the police station.

Since joining forces with Joseph and the Southeast Asian kingpins, Grant's business had thrived, and the daily profits made him giddy, erasing any heartache he once felt over losing Gabby.

To better carve out fresh avenues for their drug trafficking enterprise, Grant and Joseph made their way to the States, looking to cut deals with local dealers on innovative distribution methods.

But no sooner had the ink dried on their nefarious agreement than local law enforcem (swaened inwith a suariad bust In the ensuing chaos, Joseph managed to slip away, but Grant wasn't so lucky—he got nabbed. Please read the original content at .

The cops had been planning this sting for months, aiming to fetnine their streets of hepoisoo peel ers. Try asrdirca led in the big guns, drafting in special forces from a high-octane training facility in the States. Please read the original content at .

And then there was Jonas—sharp as a tack, top of his class in every skill set, and already wearing the military stripes of a Brigadier General thanks to his academic prowess.

As the deputy commander of Operation Thunderbolt, Jonas was the brains behind the bust.

Dragged into the interrogation room, his face a canvas of bruises and grime, Grant was put through the wringer for his silencegetn angiranks\ah hie Secomplices The lead interrogator, with a vein throbbing in his temple, snarled at the defiant trafficker, "Spill the beans, and you'll get off easy. Keep up this tough guy act, and you'll be staring down the barrel of a life sentence." Please read the original content at .

But Grant just cocked his head with a defiant sneer, utterly unfazed by the man in the badge.

Incensed by Grant's brazen demeanor, the interrogator's hand itched for his baton, ready to mete out his own brand of justice.

"Stop!" A frosty command cut through the tension, echoing from outside the interrogation room.