Chapter 239 Zacharias Shocked
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Zacharias had spent the entire day with Derek Golding, the president of Crucible Group, sitting across the polished table while contracts for the new year lay spread before them. Both sides wanted the partnership to continue, and their talks had been easy, steady, and full of promise.
By the time noon came, their meeting had stretched into lunch. Glasses clinked, bottles uncorked, and the rhythm of conversation carried on without pause. Zacharias drank more than he usually did, his glass never staying empty for long as Derek kept pouring.
When he lifted his head by chance, his eyes snagged on a figure passing by. His chest tightened. He thought he saw Anneliese.
A shock ran through him. His feet moved before thought caught up, each stride sharper and faster, carrying him to the corner where she had disappeared. He turned with urgency, his gaze fixed, but the place ahead was empty. The shape he knew better than anyone had already slipped away.
His brow furrowed. A shadow carved itself across his face, and emptiness hollowed him out as if something had been stolen from his hands in plain sight.
He told himself he must have imagined it. Still, what he thought he had seen pressed heavily in his chest. The woman had walked close beside a man. They hadn’t touched, not once, yet the space between them spoke of closeness.
Since the divorce, joy had abandoned him completely. He believed it had abandoned her too. She could not be laughing, radiant, dining at another man’s side while their life lay shattered behind them.
“Hey, are you feeling alright?”
Derek’s voice pulled him back. Concern lined his tone as he caught up.
Zacharias blinked, fighting to gather himself. He did not look well at all.
He straightened his shoulders, steadied his voice, “I’m fine. Probably just the wine. I thought I saw someone I knew. My stomach hurts a little too.”
That part rang true. Pain burned through him, spreading sharp and deep, curling inside like fire in his gut.
Derek clapped his shoulder with a knowing smile. “Still the same complaint? Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten already. Anneliese makes the best hangover cure I’ve ever had, and her brew
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15:35 Tue, Sep 16
Chapter 239 Zacharias Shocked
40
+10 Free Coins
could fix anyone’s stomach. My wife still uses her recipes, and they work like magic. Anneliese also knows how to ease pain with her hands, doesn’t she?
“My wife keeps saying she wants to learn that from her. It’s been too long since we’ve seen her. Our silver anniversary is in three days. You have to bring Anneliese. My wife reminded me twice this morning to send her love.”
Derek’s wife had stood by him through years of building, years of climbing and falling, never once letting go. Their marriage was unshakable.
When Zacharias had first started talks with Crucible Group, it was Anneliese who had found the way forward through Derek’s wife.
Watching her carry burdens with him, shoulder to shoulder, had stirred something old in Derek and his wife. They were memories of their own years of struggle and love. That memory had played its part in sealing the deal.
The truth of the divorce had never left Zacharias‘ lips.
For a second, his face froze, but then he smoothed it into a practiced smile. “It’ll be an honor for Anne and me. We’d be lucky to share in your happiness. We’ll be there.”
Jonathan’s words about leaving for a business trip that afternoon had not been a lie. AeroAir was wrapping up the purchase of two airports in Adros.
He had already flown there twice, inspecting, negotiating, drawing the final lines.
This trip was meant to close everything. It would take at least a week.
If not for that deadline, he would not have rushed the marriage license.
On the drive back to Maple Bay, Jonathan explained in his calm, even voice.
“I’ll drop you off in Maple Bay. Tonight, I’m flying out. I’ll probably be gone for a week. If anything changes, I’ll let you know.”
Anneliese blinked, surprise flashing across her face. “But I’ll be done with the lab data in two days. After that, I’m leaving Occaton too. I told you I’d go visit my grandma in Baytree, then head to Westrough to see my professor and the rest”
“I know.” Jonathan nodded, his expression smooth and steady.
Her thoughts spun. She had believed he pushed for the license so quickly because he wanted to show her to his family, to quiet their endless questions about his marriage.
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15:35 Tue, Sep 16
Chapter 239 Zacharias Shocked
40
+10 Free Coins
She thought once they handled his family, she could leave Occaton free of weight. A contract marriage meant distance didn’t matter.
But if he left for a week, he would return to find her gone. That license felt useless now.
“So, when are we meeting your grandmother and your parents?”
The words slipped out before she could stop them.
Jonathan turned, one brow raised, a trace of humor in his eyes.
“You’re really eager to meet your in–laws?”
Anneliese froze.
Her lips parted, but no words followed. The way it had come out made it sound like she wanted to see them, as if she cared.
That wasn’t what she had meant, and he knew it.
Heat rushed into her cheeks, her eyes bright as she glared at him, caught in the clash of embarrassment and irritation. Jonathan felt a stir in his chest at the sight, an ache he tried to
silence.
He held back the urge to tease her further. Instead, he pulled out the marriage licenses, held them steady, and snapped a picture.
“There’s no need to rush. I’ll send this to the family chat. They’ll know I’m married. Once I’m back from my trip, I’ll take you to see Grandma. The rest can wait.”
Anneliese hadn’t even absorbed his words when she saw him tap the screen twice.
The picture was already sent.
Her breath caught sharp in her chest. She lunged forward and grabbed his hand.
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