Chapter 229 Fractures and False Calm
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Marcus had even discovered that Anneliese and Zacharias had only finalized their divorce just two days earlier. How could Jonathan possibly want a woman who had only just left her marriage?
Most likely, whatever happened last night had been some favor Anneliese begged for- Jonathan playing along just to put on a show.
But favors ran out quickly. And since she wasn’t truly Jonathan’s fiancee, and since Jonathan was too busy to constantly involve himself in Jessica’s affairs, why would he bother for long?
“Go ahead and try me again if you dare!” Anneliese knew she couldn’t back down now. If she showed weakness, Marcus would only grow bolder. She raised her hand to slap him, but he seized her wrist with a crushing grip.
“Let go!” she demanded, jerking against him.
Marcus sneered. “You think you can-‘
“Meatloaf, bite him!”
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Before he could finish, Anneliese shouted the order. Meatloaf lunged forward with a fierce bark, snapping at Marcus‘ leg.
Startled, Marcus recoiled, releasing her hand as he stumbled back, kicking wildly to ward off the dog. Afraid Meatloaf might get hurt, Anneliese yanked the leash tight.
At that moment, a familiar Bentley rolled to a stop nearby. Zacharias stepped out, striding forward to put himself between her and Marcus.
“Anne, what’s going on here?”
Anneliese was already seething. Nothing about this morning had gone right, and now here he was–the very man she had intended to confront anyway.
Her
eyes hardened as she pointed at Marcus. “Zacharias, quit pretending to be innocent. If you hadn’t tipped him off, how else would he have shown up here?”
Jessica had hidden in Oceaton for more than three years without the Johnsons ever finding her. Then, the very day after Zacharias threatened her at City Hall–claiming he’d inform them–Marcus appeared in Oceaton and tracked Jessica down.
She didn’t believe in coincidences.
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Chapter 229 Fractures and False Calm
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Zacharias‘ brows drew together in a sharp frown. He hurried to explain. “Believe me or not, this had nothing to do with me, Anne. I—”
“Even if it wasn’t you, it was your mother or your sister!” She cut him off coldly.
His lips pressed thin. “I’ll get to the bottom of this. If it really was them, I’ll hold them accountable.”
Anneliese almost laughed. She didn’t want his promises, and she certainly didn’t believe he could control Melody or Lenora. He had spun her too many empty dreams over the years–so
many
that she had choked on them. Now, clear–headed at last, even hearing his tone made her stomach turn.
“The best explanation you could ever give me is to get out of my life.” She threw the words like ice and stormed back into the building.
…
Meanwhile, inside the CEO’s office at AeroAir, Zion finished his call with Anneliese and stepped in. He waited until Jonathan set aside his paperwork before giving his report. “I passed along the information you wanted–that you’re going on blind dates.”
Jonathan nodded, outwardly calm, though a faint spark of anticipation glinted in his she say anything?”
eyes. “Did
“She did,” Zion admitted, uneasy under the weight of his boss‘ gaze. “But honestly, I think you’re better off not knowing.”
Jonathan’s stare deepened. Zion had no choice but to finish. “She said… she wishes you success and happiness on your date.”
Snap.
The pen Jonathan had been twirling idly between his fingers snapped clean in half.
Zion’s lips twitched. What did I say?! Better off not knowing! Why does he insist on torturing himself…
He cleared his throat and added, “One more thing–our men reported that Marcus showed up at Maple Bay first thing this morning. Seems he already knows about your connection to Ms. Claude and doesn’t care about your warning. Should we put some pressure on the Johnson Family?”
The Johnsons might have been Baytree’s wealthiest family on paper, but the title was padded with hot air. The Fullbuster Family held hidden assets across Baytree and its surrounding regions. If Jonathan wanted to cripple the Johnsons‘ projects, it would take nothing more than
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Chapter 229 Fractures and False Calm
a word.
:
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But Jonathan tossed the broken pen into the trash and said evenly, “Not for now. Just keep the men watching.”
Zion was startled. Marcus‘ visit to Maple Bay is clearly a test. If Mr. Fullbuster lets it slide, he’ll only push further. Why hold back? He can crush the Johnsons effortlessly and shield Anneliese without her even knowing. And yet… he doesn’t.
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…
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Chapter 230 Crossed Paths
