Chapter 307 Behind the Curtain
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There was no way Anneliese was going to play house with Zacharias just to keep up appearances for Nishay. The whole idea made her feel queasy. If she gave him an inch, he’d take a mile, and she refused to feed into his act.
Since Nishay had already suspected something wasn’t quite right, Anneliese thought it was best to let the truth seep in slowly rather than crush her all at once.
Zacharias stiffened, visibly thrown off by her bluntness.
Nishay’s expression darkened. She tilted her head and asked sharply, “Zacharias, what did do to Anne?”
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“Grandma, of course not!” He forced a smile, the edges of his voice trembling. “She took it the wrong way. I’ll talk to her and clear it up.”
Nishay wasn’t buying it. “If you’ve done anything to wrong her, I’ll be the first one to stand against you. Anne isn’t alone in this world.”
“Really, Grandma, it’s not what you think…” Zacharias scrambled, his voice thinning under the weight of her gaze.
Anneliese watched him squirm, and for the first time all day, she felt lighter.
Later, once Nishay was settled back in her hospital bed, she wasted no time shooing them out.
Out in the hallway, Zacharias‘ expression soured. “Anne, you know Grandma’s weak. Why would you upset her on purpose?”
Anneliese folded her arms. “Which part wasn’t true? Coral wasn’t your secretary? I’ve already spared Grandma from most of your filth. If I weren’t afraid she’d collapse, I’d have let her watch the whole sleazy show you and Coral put on.”
His face turned ashen. Mortification flickered in his eyes, but he swallowed it down. He still needed her to speak on his behalf at the Goldings‘ party tonight.
“Let’s not go over this again,” Zacharias muttered. “Come with me to Eterna Glam. You need to get your hair and makeup done before the party.”
“I’ll handle it myself at home,” she responded coolly, walking away. “Meet me at the hotel lobby,”
He moved as if to argue, but she spun around and warned him, “Push me again, and I won’t go
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Chapter 307 Behind the Curtain
at all.”
:
That silenced him. All he could do was watch her stride off without a backward glance.
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Back at Maple Bay, Anneliese sat at her vanity, brushing on light makeup before changing into her gown. She stopped before the tall mirror, her gaze dropping to the scars etched across her stomach.
Three jagged lines from the stabbing, and another cleaner one left by the operation. Under the soft glow, they appeared stark and unforgiving.
Her fingers lingered, tracing the lines gently. Jonathan’s image suddenly popped into her mind -broad shoulders, a chiseled chest, toned abs–the memory of when she’d accidentally ripped open his shirt.
A lump rose in her throat. Would he look at these scars and turn away?
She shook her head hard. Get it together, Anneliese. What are you thinking?
Snatching the gown she’d chosen earlier, she pulled it over her head and focused on the evening ahead.
Before leaving, she sent Jonathan a quick WhatsApp message. ‘I’ve got a dinner party tonight.‘
He didn’t respond. He was likely tied up with work.
The Goldings were hosting their twenty–fifth wedding anniversary celebration at a five–star hotel right by the river. When Anneliese showed up, the entrance was packed with luxury cars, and valets were bustling back and forth.
She’d just slipped into her heels and handed her keys to the valet when another car rolled up behind hers. Selina stepped out, her hand hooked into Timothy’s arm, smiling like she owned the joint.
A second car pulled in right after, and out came Perseus and Christopher.
The instant they spotted her, all four faces fell.
Christopher’s eyes burned. “Anneliese, Mom’s still stuck in the hospital bed thanks to you, and here you are prancing around like you’ve got nothing to answer for?”
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Chapter 307 Behind the Curtain
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If Timothy hadn’t already warned them to leave her alone, Christopher would’ve hauled her away without hesitation.
Anneliese arched a brow, her lips curling. “What is it now? Another rabid dog slipped its leash? Guess it still wasn’t enough to teach you.”
“You!” Christopher’s hand shot up, but Perseus pulled him back.
That’s when it hit him why they were there. The Whites needed investors tonight, and if they made a scene, the entire plan would be ruined. He struggled to hold back, his face flushing with anger.
Timothy stepped forward, his gaze steady on Anneliese. “Your mother’s been burning up with fever ever since she left that basement. She even calls out for you in her sleep. Don’t you think you should visit her?”
Anneliese clenched her jaw, reminding herself why she came tonight. Still, her eyes flicked up to his slicked–back hair, every strand lacquered into places, his suit immaculate as if the world itself wouldn’t dare smudge it.
Her brow lifted as she smiled thinly. “Mrs. White has plenty of kids to fuss over her. I’m just an outsider. It’s best to keep out of the way.”
Timothy’s face darkened, his patience snapping. He said nothing more.
Yet Selina held tighter to his arm, her smile so bright it was dazzling.
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