back. Both guards had been sent sprawling, groaning as they collapsed onto their knees right in front of her.
Marcus‘ face darkened. “Mr. Fullbuster, what is the meaning of this?”
Jonathan held Anneliese close, his expression like carved ice. “What? You didn’t see your men disrespect my fiancee, Mr. Johnson?” His voice was low, laced with a chill that sent a jolt through Marcus‘
gut.
He knew Jonathan was formidable, but what stunned him was not the sudden attack. It was hearing Jonathan call Anneliese his fiancee. The claim left him rattled–if Jonathan had truly taken that stance, the Johnson Family could hardly afford to brush it aside.
And Anneliese was just as stunned. Since when did I become his fiancee? She instinctively looked up, only to meet the sharp line of Jonathan’s jaw.
As though sensing her gaze, he lowered his eyes to her, his arm tightening around her waist. His voice softened. “Don’t be afraid. I’m here. Do whatever you want to do.” He bent and pressed a light kiss to her forehead.
It clicked then–what they had agreed on in the car. Jonathan was staking his claim for her sake, giving them leverage.
Still, she hadn’t been ready for him to kiss her. His lips brushed her skin like a spark, and her face flamed crimson. She couldn’t even look at him, lashes fluttering. She hadn’t expected him to be such a convincing actor, the tenderness in his eyes almost too real.
Remembering Jessica steadied her. She wrapped her arms around Jonathan’s neck and pouted angrily. “Jonny, I don’t care! I have to see Jess right now!”
She looked both petulant and captivating, her frustration vivid and striking. Jonathan’s eyes flickered, his heart unexpectedly stirred despite knowing she was putting on a show for Marcus. Just one soft “Jonny” from her, and he felt his composure waver.
“Alright. You’ll see her right away.” His smile vanished as he turned back to Marcus. “My fiancee has spoken. Surely, Mr. Johnson, you won’t deny us this courtesy?”
His tone was courteous enough, but the warning was clear. If Marcus refused, it meant dismissing the Fullbuster Family altogether–a direct challenge no one could walk away from unscathed.
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Chapter 223 Playing the Part
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+10 Free Coins
Marcus forced a laugh. “Mr. Fullbuster, I wouldn’t dare. But if I recall correctly, Anneliese was married two years ago–to Mr. Shaw of Clauderias Tech, wasn’t it?”
Anneliese’s lip curled in disgust. “That’s ancient history! I’ve been divorced for ages.”
She leaned against Jonathan, stamping her foot as she complained, “Jonny, he says he’s giving you due respect, but he’s just stalling. Clearly, you mean nothing to him! And he’s trying to drive a wedge between us–what a b*stard!”
Her voice had taken on such a spoiled, coquettish tone that it startled even her. She felt like she had turned into some favored but arrogant lady from a palace drama.
To her surprise, Jonathan seemed utterly charmed by it. He wrapped his arm tighter around her waist, his eyes gleaming with indulgence as a smile spread across his lips.
“In that case, we don’t have to give him due respect either.”
The next second, the roar of engines filled the courtyard. Five or six luxury cars screeched to a halt, headlights flooding the villa in stark white light.
From each car, half a dozen men in black poured out, moving fast and disciplined. They fanned through the yard like a wave, bristling with menace, ready to act on Jonathan’s signal.
Even Anneliese froze. She remembered the Fullbusters as upright, legitimate business people -this display looked anything but.
Marcus‘ expression turned stormy. “Mr. Fullbuster, what is the meaning of this?”
Jonathan’s lips curved faintly. “Just granting my fiancee a small wish. No need to be nervous, Mr. Johnson.”
Marcus clenched his fists, rage simmering. But the message was plain: either step aside and let Jessica go, or watch every man here cut him down. And if it came to that, the Johnson Family would have nothing to gain.
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