Chapter 235 Cut In Line
Chapter 235 Cut In Line
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Zion flashed Jonathan a sly grin, his eyes glittering with mischief, and before he turned away, he threw his boss a bold thumbs–up brimming with triumph.
Only then did Zion’s chest loosen, and he couldn’t help but admire the man. His boss knew exactly how to cast bait and wait for the perfect moment to strike.
If you wanted to hunt, sometimes you need to put yourself out there and look like prey.
And now the truth sat plain before him. Anneliese believed she had made the first move, that she had come here on her own to ask for a chance ahead of the rest.
She had no clue that there was never any blind date arranged. Jonathan had designed the whole scene, laying the snare in plain sight, patient enough to wait until she stepped straight into it.
Zion strode off, leaving Anneliese across from the man whose steady gaze brushed against her like a passing shadow yet sharp enough to leave her unsettled. Heat crawled across her cheeks, and she fidgeted, caught between embarrassment and unease.
Finally, his calm voice broke the silence.
“You wanted to cut in line. What line, exactly, are we talking about here?”
Anneliese twisted her fingers tight, then lifted her head with effort and forced herself to meet his eyes.
“I mean… what you asked me before. Can I change my mind?”
Her breath locked in her chest as she looked at Jonathan with eyes that begged for an answer.
She had turned him down so firmly, so quickly, and now here she was, not even two days later, ready to eat her words.
And worse, after everything she had said about Amanda, it probably sounded as if she had tried to stir trouble on purpose. She had no clue how Jonathan saw her now.
“What exactly did I ask you before?”
Jonathan’s voice was smooth, but his eyes lingered on her burning face, watching the flush climb until her skin glowed scarlet.
Her cheeks blazed hot, and she clenched her teeth before blurting the truth.
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Chapter 235 Cut In Line
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“Marriage! I’m asking if you still want to marry me. Do you still want to get married with me?”
Jonathan’s hand clenched tight against his knee, then slowly relaxed. His handsome face stayed calm, unreadable, while his gaze weighed her every word.
“You really changed your mind? I won’t push you into this.”
Her pulse surged at his words. Relief and fear collided in her chest, and she waved her hands quickly as her voice rushed out.
“I did change my mind. I regret saying no. I want this now. No one is forcing me. I was confused before, but now my mind is clear. What you suggested is smart. It’s good for both of
us.”
Jonathan bit back the smile that tugged at the corner of his lips as he watched her stumble through her words with desperate urgency.
“You’re doing this because of Ms. Sweeting and all the mess she caused. If that’s your only reason, even without marrying me, I can still take care of it for you.”
Anneliese’s chest tightened until she thought her heart might burst. The more kind he was, the more she couldn’t stand the thought of taking everything while giving nothing back.
She nodded sharply, her eyes steady, her voice rich with sincerity.
“It’s not only that. I know marrying you solves all my problems right now, but I wouldn’t accept something this serious with just anyone.
“We already know each other. I trust you.
“You know I just came out of a marriage full of lies and betrayal. Saying yes again, even to a marriage of convenience, takes everything in me. But if it’s you, I don’t feel afraid of being hurt again.
“And I can help you too. I can take care of your problem, I won’t demand more than you can give, and I’ll do my best to make it work for you. I believe this can turn out good for us both. So, if you don’t already have someone better in mind, can you give me another chance?”
She stretched her hand out toward him, though her pulse hammered hard against her ribs.
Jonathan’s gaze fell to her hand, pale and trembling, before lifting to her face. His lips curved faintly, though his thoughts disagreed with her words.
She thought this was cooperation. She thought she would disturb him.
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Chapter 235 Cut In Line
She was wrong.
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She was the one thing he had been waiting for. The perfect match for him.
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He raised his hand and folded it over hers. His palm pressed against her skin, his eyes dark as they sank into her.
“You don’t get to back out again.”
His voice cut through the air, heavy with resolve, as his fingers slid between hers, locking their hands together so tightly that even air could not pass through.
Anneliese’s breath caught, startled, but then a rush of warmth spread through her chest, steadying her heart. For the first time in a long while, she felt safe. She felt sure.
“I was the one who asked for this. Why would I back out?” she answered quickly, her grip tightening against his.
Jonathan rose from his chair. “Then let’s go.”
“What?” Her eyes blinked wide, her body following his lead before her mind caught up.
He pulled her forward, his stride firm and decisive.
“Where are we going?” she asked, her voice high with surprise as her eyes clung to his back.
His tone was cool, steady, and without pause. “We’re picking up our papers. Then we’re heading to the city hall.”
Her eyes widened, and her breath stuttered in her throat.
It was happening so fast.
It felt as if he feared she might slip away if he let go, as if she were someone too rare to risk losing. Did he truly think she was that unsteady?
Their lunch still sat untouched on the table, steak cooling, lobster waiting.
Yet his hand gripped hers with unshakable force, as if no agreement on paper could bind her more firmly than the touch that held her now.
This was just going to be a marriage of convenience, at the end of the day.
