Chapter 232 Distraction
Chapter 232 Distraction
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Jackson froze for a split second, then lurched to his feet, his voice cracking with shock. “Jonathan?”
Jonathan’s hand clamped down on his shoulder with unyielding force.
The weight pressed him back into the chair before he could rise.
Pain sparked across his shoulder, and confusion swirled in his chest.
“Your brother’s on the phone. He’s looking for you,” Jonathan said as he extended a cell toward him.
Jackson’s eyes widened as he reached for it. He pressed it to his ear, his mind clouded with questions.
Why would his brother call Jonathan instead of him?
“Zane?”
On the other end, Zane was just as bewildered. He had picked up Jonathan’s call moments ago, and Jonathan had told him he had run into Jackson.
He had ordered him to come up with something that would drag Jackson home right away.
“Zane, it’s me. Why aren’t you saying anything?”
At the sound of his brother’s impatient tone, Zane dragged a hand across his forehead. “You need to get home now. Mom passed out.”
“What?”
“Quit wasting time! I can’t leave where I am, so you have to go right this second!”
Before Jackson could form another word, the line went dead.
He shot upright, his face pale with panic. His gaze flicked toward the restrooms, but after a heartbeat, he bit down on his lip, shoved the phone into Jonathan’s hand, and spoke with a voice thick with desperation.
“Jonathan, my mom fainted. I need to leave right now. Please, when my date comes back, tell her what happened. Tell her I’m sorry.”
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15:34 Tue, Sep 16
Chapter 232 Distraction
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He clasped his hands together as though in prayer, terrified Jonathan would turn him away. Jonathan was close with his older brother, but he never bothered with anyone else’s problems.
To his surprise, Jonathan nodded with ease.
“Alright.”
Jackson’s throat tightened with relief. “Thank you, Jonathan. You’re amazing. You’re a true brother.”
Jonathan only waved him off, his expression steady and unbothered.
He gave a small nod as he watched Jackson rush toward the door, his steps quick and clumsy, his head turning back again and again, his face etched with fear.
In the restroom, Anneliese stepped out of a stall and walked to the sinks.
Amanda stood before the mirror, sliding fresh color onto her lips while talking on the phone.
“He’s Jonathan,” she said with a sly grin tugging at her mouth. “The crown jewel of Halden. A man completely out of reach. You can’t just walk up and flirt with someone like him.”
Her words sounded playful, but her smile gleamed with self–satisfaction.
The moment Anneliese had suggested this restaurant, regret had clawed at her chest.
During the drive, she had thought about asking Jackson to pick somewhere else, but he had already made the reservation and insisted on handling the directions.
She had found no chance to object.
She had promised herself she would treat it like a coincidence. She would not look around, and she would not meddle in anyone else’s date.
But fate shoved her right into Amanda, and worse, her ears caught every word.
“Oh, come on, don’t tease me.” Amanda laughed into the phone. “If I really scored him, I’d dump Andrew in a second. I’m not stupid.”
Anneliese froze, her chest tight.
Amanda Ashcroft had a boyfriend, yet she was here chasing Jonathan.
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Chapter 232 Distraction
She couldn’t stop herself from flicking her eyes toward the mirror, catching Amanda’s reflection.
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Amanda’s lips curled, her voice dropping low as if to guard a secret. “I’ll call you later. Wish me luck.”
Anneliese jerked her gaze away and hurried out, her thoughts tangling into knots.
Should she warn Jonathan? That was the thought that swirled in her head.
Meanwhile, Amanda tugged at her collar, loosened a button, and strolled out a moment later. A figure blocked her path.
It was Zion.
“Ms. Ashcroft,” he said with polished courtesy, “Mr. Fullbuster had urgent business and has already left. Before leaving, he asked me to escort you home.”
“What? He left?”
Amanda’s brows pinched tight, but Zion’s smile remained professional as he shifted aside to invite her forward.
“Please, Ms. Ashcroft.”
Amanda pushed her frustration down. “But I haven’t even eaten. I—”
“Ms. Ashcroft, I have other responsibilities waiting,” Zion answered smoothly.
His meaning was sharp. He would not wait.
Amanda’s stomach churned with anger, but she knew she could not cross someone so close to Jonathan. In fact, she hoped she might draw out a hint of his preferences from Zion himself.
She pressed a hand to her empty stomach and forced a bright smile.
“I’m not very hungry anyway. Sorry for the trouble, Mr. Harland.”
Zion inclined his head. “This way, please.”
Back in the restaurant, Anneliese walked slowly, her head low, her eyes on the floor. Doubt and unease gnawed at her. If she told Jonathan, he might see it as meddling. If she stayed quiet, regret would cling to her.
Her steps dragged as she returned to her table, her chest heavy with hesitation.
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Chapter 233 Surprise
