hapter 104 An Unexpected Ride
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Chapter 104 An Unexpected Ride
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“Mr. Shaw, Jameson only acted because your mother told him to. We’re in the same boat here. Didn’t you say you’d get Anneliese to sign the settlement? What now?”
Zacharias felt a pounding headache. He glanced outside, only to see Jonathan rising and leaving with Anneliese. For a moment, it was as if a pair of horns had been placed on his head.
Outside the station, Zion had already pulled the Maybach around. He stepped out, walked to the rear door, and opened it. “Mr. Fullbuster, Ms. Claude, please get in.”
Jonathan turned to Anneliese. “How did you come? Let’s go together.”
Jessica had taken out her new car, so she had come by cab. Anneliese wanted to thank Jonathan, and since she also feared Zacharias chasing her down to pester her, she nodded and climbed in without hesitation.
As soon as Zion spotted Zacharias running out, he spun the wheel sharply and slammed the accelerator. The Maybach shot forward, leaving Zacharias coughing in a cloud of exhaust.
Inside the car, Zion’s sudden swerves sent Anneliese tumbling against Jonathan’s arm, clinging to him like an unwilling accessory.
Once they merged onto the main road and the speed steadied, she pulled away quickly, embarrassed. “Sorry, I couldn’t keep my balance.”
Jonathan withdrew his supporting arm. “You’re not the one who should apologize.”
His gaze, cool and sharp, shifted to Zion in the front seat.
Zion immediately forced a grin at her through the rearview mirror. “My mistake. I’ve been jumpy since I was a kid–always afraid of teachers and cops. Old habits
die hard.”
Anneliese took him at his word, though she couldn’t quite picture a top–class
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Chapter 104 An Unexpected Ride
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academic talent being afraid of authority figures. Still, she nodded with genuine sympathy. “Thank you for overcoming your nerves and standing as a witness for me. I really appreciate it.”
Her earnest, clear eyes made Zion feel guilty. He laughed awkwardly. “You should really be thanking Mr. Fullbuster. I was just along for the ride.” After that, he wisely shut up and shrank into silence.
Anneliese truly did want to thank Jonathan, but the words caught in her throat.
Since the day they met, it seemed like all she ever said to him was thank you. And one little phrase felt too flimsy, especially when compared to what he had just done.
Even Zacharias had turned against her, pressuring her into compromise, but Jonathan—who barely knew her had stepped into the police station without hesitation to help her.
She didn’t need to know his schedule to imagine how busy and important he was. The thought of wasting his time, of owing him, made her cheeks warm.
And after that morning’s misunderstanding and Leah’s “lover” remark…
She hadn’t even looked at him yet, but her face was already burning red.
Sensing her awkwardness, Jonathan broke the silence first, his voice smooth and clear. “Don’t be embarrassed. Even elementary school kids know this much.”
“Huh?” She blinked up at him in confusion.
His brows lifted slightly. “Cooperating with an investigation is every citizen’s legal duty and social responsibility.”
He said it so seriously that it sounded like he was reciting from a textbook.
“Pfft!” Anneliese burst out laughing before she could stop herself. Her embarrassment vanished in an instant. Covering her mouth, her eyes curved into crescents as she gave him a big thumbs–up. “You’re exceptional, Mr. Fullbuster!”
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The man’s sense of duty really is something else.
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But of course, she didn’t truly believe that was all it was. She knew she owed him a debt–and that he was likely helping because of the small favor she had done for him before.
Jonathan, watching the sparkle in her eyes, let the corners of his lips curve faintly. “So, how about you make me a few more meals as a reward?”
“Of course! Even ten full banquets wouldn’t be enough!” she answered without hesitation.
The light in his eyes deepened at her playful response. After a brief pause, he returned to the subject at hand. “That man, Luca Zorin… Do you want me to deal with him?”
Anneliese froze. Luca had already confessed to buying and using the drug. The Tate family must have either bribed him or had something on him. Even with Jonathan’s influence, handling it wouldn’t be easy–and she didn’t want to owe him such a heavy debt.
Besides, even if Luca retracted his confession, it still might not be enough to convict Jameson or Melody.
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Chapter 105 Meeting
