Chapter 277 Zacharias Is Still Delusional
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“Are you out of your mind? No one carries their marriage license with them all the time.”
Zacharias‘ face relaxed slightly, a flicker of relief softening his sharp features. He had already known she could never produce the proof.
She had lied to him the entire time.
“Come with me,” he said, his voice calm but firm, and he reached for her hand.
Anneliese froze, rigid and unyielding. Zacharias‘ tone softened, patient and coaxing, a quiet insistence threading through his words.
“Just come downstairs with me. After that, I won’t stop you from leaving with your grandma.”
Reluctantly, she allowed him to guide her down the stairs.
When she stepped into the living room, her eyes widened in astonishment. The space had been transformed into something magical. Every type of rose imaginable bloomed across the room, each petal perfect, radiant, and vibrant. Their scent hung thick in the air, sweet and heady, filling every corner.
On the dining table, candles flickered in delicate glass holders, reflecting light across wine glasses and a feast of carefully prepared dishes. The glow shimmered across the silverware, painting soft warmth across the room.
Anneliese had never expected that Zacharias had gone to such painstaking lengths while she was upstairs with her grandmother.
Surprise fluttered across her features. Zacharias, misreading her expression, interpreted it as the stirrings of emotion.
He led her to the table. From the bouquet in the center, he lifted a small red velvet box and sank to one knee in front of her.
He opened the box to reveal a ring almost identical to the one they had once exchanged.
It was a symbol of the life they had shared.
He looked up at her, eyes steady and warm, reflecting the candlelight like molten fire.
“Anne, my gratitude to Selina was always just that. It’s nothing more than gratitude. She helped me when I was broke and powerless.
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Chapter 277 Zacharias Is Still Delusional
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And her haughty, snobbish attitude lit something in me. Something my insecurity wanted to
conquer.
“I confused my desire to prove myself with love, and it made me hurt you. But the woman I have loved from the start has always been you.
“Losing you made me realize that everything I have without you is meaningless. Please, Anne, trust me again. Give me one more chance. Will you?”
His voice trembled slightly as he lifted her hand, holding it gently over the velvet box.
Outside, beyond the floor–to–ceiling windows, a shadow lingered.
The figure’s eyes glimmered with jealousy and fury.
Selina stood silently, phone in hand, recording the scene.
Anneliese’s departure was the final blow to the Whites‘ fragile mental state. They couldn’t hold on much longer, and everyone fell unconscious.
When they stirred and came to, to their surprise, they were already dragged back up to the living room.
The black-clad intruders were gone.
Someone had naturally called the police, but when the authorities realized the call came from the Whites‘ estate, no one took the case.
Someone made sure of it beforehand.
Only a few people in Oceaton possessed such influence. The White family was far from that level.
Timothy’s expression shifted immediately.
Selina knew he was pragmatic. He would not pursue the matter or demand retribution from Anneliese.
The White family could not risk angering someone with that kind of power, especially amid financial trouble, but Selina could not accept it.
“Dad, Mom, Anne couldn’t have gotten herself a powerful protector outside, could she?”
Her face was pale with disbelief and worry.
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Chapter 277 Zacharias Is Still Delusional
The others looked stunned and speechless.
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They called a car and drove straight to the hospital. Selina only swallowed cold medicine and fever pills before hailing a cab to find Zacharias.
She needed him to see what Anneliese had done, to witness her cruelty and manipulations.
She needed him to believe that Anneliese was flirting and scheming with men. She possibly had multiple benefactors, but she had not expected to arrive in time to see Zacharias kneeling before Anneliese, pleading for forgiveness.
Her face turned pale, twisted with jealousy and fury.
The reflection on her phone showed the exhaustion carved into her features.
She knew men were drawn to appearances.
Without Anneliese present, she could have played the part of the fragile woman, falling into Zacharias‘ arms, begging for sympathy, and winning his pity.
But Anneliese stood there. She was radiant, elegant, and commanding as a princess.
If Selina stepped forward now, she would look pitiful in comparison and only make herself a spectacle.
She tucked her phone away and slipped out silently.
Inside the villa, soft music floated through the air. Anneliese barely noticed anyone had been outside.
As Zacharias moved to take her hand, she stepped back abruptly and folded her hands behind her.
Confusion flickered across his face. He froze, holding the ring box, his eyes locked on hers.
He was kneeling before her, devoted and vulnerable.
However, her gaze was distant and unreadable, as though she were watching a performance.
“I’ve already humored your little show. You’d better hold up your end of the bargain and let me and Grandma go,” Anneliese said, her voice firm as she stepped toward the door.
She turned and began to walk away.
