Chapter 312 What a Try–Hard
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By doing this, she had ruined Zacharias‘ plan and made him angry.
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But by exposing Anneliese’s fickle nature, Marlowe was bound to lose her good impression of her.
Besides, she had prepared a special gift for Marlowe–something far better than the one Anneliese had once used to curry favor.
When it came to winning people over, she had never lost to Anneliese, and this time would be no different.
Once she gained Marlowe’s favor, she could still help Zacharias secure the deal.
By then, he couldn’t stay mad at her.
“What? Have you divorced Mr. Shaw and married someone else, Anne?”
Marlowe looked at Anneliese in disbelief, then at the little girl clinging to her side.
Anneliese remained calm.
Noticing the child’s nervousness, she gently patted the girl’s head before turning to Marlowe with a smile.
“Yes, I got divorced and remarried. Actually, I didn’t come here tonight with Zacharias. I was hoping to bring my husband along and introduce him to you both, but he’s swamped with work. I hope you’ll understand.
“Also, this little one isn’t my husband’s child. She got separated from her parents, and I’ve already asked the crew to help find her family.”
Marlowe was stunned.
She looked at Anneliese and Zacharias, finding it a pity.
The two had grown up together, and Anneliese had stood by Zacharias as he built his career.
Marlowe had always thought the pair were a perfect match, much like her and her own husband when they were young.
No one would have guessed their relationship would end this way.
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“Gosh, this is supposed to be Mr. and Mrs. Golding’s Silver Jubilee. Isn’t it a little bad luck to have someone fresh off a divorce and already remarried show up tonight?”
Someone from the crowd muttered those words softly, but it was just loud enough for the hosts to hear.
All at once, everyone turned to Anneliese, standing there with the little girl in hand.
She frowned slightly and looked at Marlowe.
Those words were harsh, deliberately meant to stir
up
trouble.
Yet, they weren’t totally untrue.
The wealthy were often prone to superstition, and Anneliese couldn’t be sure whether Derek and Marlowe would feel uncomfortable about it.
She pressed her lips together, choosing to stay silent for now.
If Marlowe truly minded, there was nothing she could do–she would simply have to keep her distance in the future.
Meanwhile, Selina lowered her head, smiling to herself in secret.
Anneliese was no longer Zacharias‘ wife, and her new husband was nowhere to be seen.
If Derek and Marlowe grew upset and drove her out, that would be a show worth watching.
Feigning urgency, she frowned.
“Who’s making up nonsense like that? Honestly, what a joke! Anne, if she isn’t your new husband’s child, then is your man Mr. Fullbuster? He sure seemed attentive at our mother’s birthday dinner.
“Come on, set the record straight. Let’s see what those cowards have to say then!”
Of course, bringing up Jonathan now was hardly out of goodwill.
After the White family’s banquet, gossip about Anneliese and Jonathan had spread, turning her
into the talk of town.
Selina had stewed in jealousy ever since, convinced that Anneliese’s second marriage was to some much older man.
By dragging Jonathan into the conversation now, she only meant to set Anneliese up for a
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harsher comparison when the truth came out.
It was also to remind everyone that Anneliese was never a woman who knew her place.
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Divorced from Zacharias one moment, rumored to be entangled with Jonathan the next, only to slip seamlessly into marriage with an older man.
Anneliese never had much of a good reputation in their social circle.
It was only by standing beside Zacharias through their marriage and the early days of his start- up that her reputation had gradually recovered over the years.
Tonight, Selina intended to drag her back down in an instant, to the days when everyone sneered and mocked her.
All
eyes were on Anneliese.
She, of course, understood Selina’s malicious intent.
But her marriage to Jonathan was, after all, an agreement.
He needed her to fend off his family’s pressure to wed, and the moment they stepped out of the city hall, he had announced his marriage to the family via text.
Yet, he hadn’t revealed her identity to the public, and Anneliese wasn’t sure whether he intended to keep their marriage hidden from everyone else.
Besides, Jonathan was not something to boast about.
She had no intention of letting Selina corner her into explaining herself.
Anneliese only smiled faintly.
“It’s Mr. and Mrs. Golding’s Silver Jubilee tonight. I fear I’ve already stolen too much of the spotlight. If you’re all so curious about my husband, we’ll have to host our own banquet someday.
“For now, let us raise our glasses together, and celebrate Mr. and Mrs. Golding’s steadfast love
-an example for us all.”
She spoke clearly as she turned around, picked up a glass of champagne, and lifted it high.
With that radiant smile of hers, she lit up the room.
Without question, Anneliese knew how to work a situation to her favor.
Tonight was about celebrating Derek and Marlowe’s Silver Jubilee, not making a scene for everyone’s amusement.
Even if a few people with bad intentions had been swayed by Selina, most people still knew
better.
One after another, the guests raised their glasses to congratulate the Goldings, and the atmosphere quickly livened up.
Selina was naturally displeased.
Feeling frustrated, she began, “Mrs. Golding—”
But before she could finish, someone yanked her arm forcefully.
She looked up with a frown, only to meet Zacharias‘ icy gaze.
Beneath his calm exterior, a storm seemed barely contained.
“Enough!” he warned in a low voice.
Selina’s fingers tightened around her wineglass so forcefully that the liquid inside sloshed.
She could hardly believe Zacharias was being so harsh with her.
Worse yet, he was doing it to defend Anneliese in front of everyone.
Her eyes reddened, her face twisted in aggrieved misery.
“Zacharias, I’m only looking out for you. Can’t you see that Anne is trying to humiliate you? People have been talking about how she’s been cheating on you. She used to grovel over you, and now, you’re the one bending over backward for her.
“You’ve worked too hard for everything you’ve built, and I just don’t want your name dragged through the mud…”
She looked every bit the part of someone fighting his battles for him, indignant on his behalf.
Zacharias‘ gaze softened slightly.
“I know, but that’s enough. If a husband and wife turn against each other in public, it’ll only look more ridiculous.”
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He knew if Selina kept stirring the pot, the truth might slip out.
What was more, Anneliese was actually married to Jonathan now.
Zacharias could hardly bear to imagine the looks he’d get if that came to light.
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Would people view him with sympathy mixed with ridicule, mocking pity, or blatant scorn, treating him as nothing but a joke?
Selina nearly ground her teeth to dust, swallowing her resentment as she forced herself to nod.
But when she looked up again, she saw Marlowe beckoning Anneliese once more.
“Come here, Anne.”
She sounded warm and inviting, showing not the slightest distance despite the talk of divorce and remarriage.
Selina felt even more stifled inside.
When she saw Anneliese leading the little girl toward Marlowe, she quickly tugged at Zacharias‘ sleeve and hurried after them.
She rushed to speak first.
“Mrs. Golding, I’m so sorry for the disturbance earlier. Zacharias and I have prepared a surprise for you. I hope you’ll like it. It’s also a small token of our apology.”
As she spoke, she raised her hand to signal a waiter in the distance.
The waiter immediately turned around, picked up a large box that had been set aside, and quickly carried it over.
The guests‘ gifts had already been cataloged and stored upon arrival.
For someone to present another gift separately meant it was prepared with special intent, and it was bound to be remarkable.
The commotion naturally drew everyone’s attention.
Conversations died down, and all eyes turned to them.
Marlowe felt a trace of displeasure, but she couldn’t openly dismiss Selina and Zacharias‘ gesture in front of the crowd.
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She smiled and said, “Oh? Derek, did you know about this beforehand?”
Derek patted his wife’s hand and looked toward Zacharias.
“Zacharias, why didn’t you give us a heads–up? It’s very thoughtful of you.”
Zacharias quickly smiled, waving his hand as he offered a few polite words.
Derek and Marlowe both nodded with polite smiles.
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Selina shot Anneliese a provocative glance, and the men of the White family stepped forward to offer their
support.
Winning Derek and Marlowe’s favor would bring glory to the White family, and perhaps a better chance at securing bigger investments.
Anneliese met Selina’s taunting look with only a faint smile before lowering her gaze.
Zacharias was far too desperate for the contract renewal, and he had lost his composure.
Too much flattery and talk of profit could strip away goodwill instead of building it.
Unless this surprise truly touched Marlowe’s heart, Selina’s grand gesture would backfire and only leave a bad taste.
“Do you want more cake? Would you like me to go with you?”
Anneliese bent down slightly, asking the little girl still holding onto her finger.
The child looked up and shook her head.
She then let go of Anneliese’s hand and ran off on her own toward the dessert table.
Anneliese watched the little girl skipping away, and a smile formed on her lips.
Seeing this, Selina assumed she was only pretending to stay calm.
She gave a disdainful snort and looked away.
Just then, the waiter opened the large carved wooden chest, revealing what was inside.
“What a gorgeous evening gown!”
“The embroidery on it looks exquisite!”
