Chapter 228 Empty Spaces and Bitter Truths
Chapter 228 Empty Spaces and Bitter Truths
“Take care, Ms. Claude.” Mabel closed the door with a polite smile.
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Anneliese turned back to glance at the firmly shut door. For some reason, a hollow feeling spread in her chest.
Logically, this should have been good news–she no longer needed to cook for Jonathan, freeing her time. She was about to leave Oceaton anyway, with plenty still on her plate. The lab work weighed heavily on her, and now she could finally give more of herself to the tasks she had promised to help with.
It was only because Jonathan had made a plan with me before and then suddenly left me hanging like this. That’s why I felt so unsettled. It had to be that. She shook the thought away and stepped into the elevator.
What she didn’t see was the door opening again after the elevator doors closed. Mabel poked her head out, watching Anneliese leave, and quickly made a call. “Hello, Mr. Harland? Ms. Claude just left. Her expression? Well, I’d say she looked pretty down, almost like she was about to cry when she heard Mr. Fullbuster had already gone to work. Definitely upset!”
As soon as Anneliese exited the elevator with the food container in hand, her phone rang. Zion’s voice came through the line. “Forgot to tell you–starting today, you don’t need to bother preparing meals for Mr. Fullbuster anymore. Mabel’s family emergency is sorted out, and she’s back to work.”
“Alright, I understand,” Anneliese answered softly, her lack of energy obvious even over the phone. Zion noticed but pretended not to. He went on casually, “Though truth be told, Mabel probably won’t be cooking much for him either. Mr. Fullbuster will likely be dining out these days…”
That caught her attention, and out of courtesy, she asked, “Why is that?”
Zion had been waiting for the question. He clicked his tongue and lowered his voice. “Mr. Fullbuster’s in a hurry to get married so he can secure his shares. He’s been setting up blind dates, trying to settle this major life event quickly.
“Since he’s too busy to carve out extra time, he’s been combining meals with meetings. Breakfast, lunch, dinner–his schedule’s packed. In fact, today at noon he’s meeting Ms. Amanda Ashcroft, a pianist who just returned to the country, at the Central Tower’s rooftop
restaurant.”
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Chapter 228 Empty Spaces and Bitter Truths
Anneliese forced a small smile. “I see. Well then, I wish him luck on his date. I’ve got something to do, so I’ll let you go.”
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She hung up and tugged Meatloaf’s leash, heading outside. But the dog suddenly sat down stubbornly, twisting its head toward the elevator, refusing to budge–as if waiting for someone to step out.
Anneliese tightened her grip. “Come on, he’s off on dates now. He won’t be walking you anymore.”
A mournful howl slipped from Meatloaf, who lowered its head and whimpered, clearly sulking.
She crouched to pat it comfortingly before leading it out of the building. But Zion’s words stuck in her mind. Without thinking, she pulled up her phone and typed “Amanda Ashcroft” into the search bar. A picture of a striking young woman appeared instantly.
Realizing what she was doing, Anneliese frowned and switched off her phone. This is none of my business; why am I looking into her?!
“Anneliese.”
The sound of her name snapped her head up. There stood Marcus, his face wearing that familiar, chillingly false smile. He blocked her path with two bags in his hands.
“I was too hasty yesterday in bringing Queenie back. I overstepped. I bought some medicine and a few gifts to apologize. Could you take them to her for me?”
Anneliese instinctively stepped back. Sensing her unease, Meatloaf lunged forward, barking furiously.
“Arf! Arf! Arf!”
Holding the leash tight, she glared at Marcus. “She doesn’t need your medicine or your apologies. Didn’t we make ourselves clear yesterday?”
She hadn’t expected him to be waiting here so early.
Marcus‘ smile widened. “My family legally adopted Queenie. We raised her for over a decade. No matter what, she’ll always be one of us. That fact won’t change.”
Anneliese’s teeth clenched. “Funny. The bruises on your face aren’t even healed yet, and you’ve already forgotten how they got there?”
The faint imprint of her slap still lingered on his cheek. For a moment, something dark
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Chapter 228 Empty Spaces and Bitter Truths
flickered in his eyes, but he quickly masked it with a shallow grin.
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“You don’t need to hide behind Jonathan’s name. I’m not someone who scares easily. A fiancee? Please. Why hasn’t anyone heard that the Fullbuster heir is getting married?”
He had already ordered a thorough investigation last night. Though rumors had been swirling about Anneliese and Jonathan, the Fullbuster Family itself had released no such news–no engagement, no fiancee.
C
