Chapter 496 A Matter of Timing
Chapter 496 A Matter of Timing
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By all logic, Anneliese should have been happy with how cooperative Jonathan was being. But for some reason, she couldn’t shake off a faint unease.
Twice before, when she had asked him to visit her grandmother under the guise of her friend, he had either deflected or conveniently found something else to do. She couldn’t help wondering–did Jonathan not want to meet her grandmother?
“What’s with the sudden silence?” he asked with a teasing smile, lightly flicking her nose.
Anneliese blinked up at him. Seeing his warm, affectionate expression, she felt silly for even doubting him. Wrapping her arms around him, she rubbed her cheek against his chest. “If I’m spending New Year’s with Grandma, we won’t be together this year…”
Her gentle tone melted Jonathan’s heart, but guilt flashed across his eyes before he quickly pushed it down. His throat bobbed once before he spoke again. “Next year, we’ll celebrate with both families–together.”
Anneliese nodded eagerly.
After leaving the bedroom, Jonathan went into his study and called Carter to ask about Nishay’s condition. “Would she be able to handle any sort of emotional shock right now?”
“Don’t even think about it!” Carter said at once. “She just had major heart surgery–you think that’s a joke? She’s old now. Even with a smooth recovery, she’s not like a young person. If she gets worked up again, I can’t promise I’ll be able to save her.
“Her kidneys aren’t great either. Once she’s discharged, she should spend at least six months to a year in a good rehab center to recuperate. Why are you even talking about upsetting her now? What’s going on–don’t tell me Anneliese’s pregnant.”
Jonathan was just about to scold Carter for his wild guessing when a deep, authoritative voice suddenly came through the line.
“Who’s pregnant?”
Jonathan immediately recognized that voice. His brows knit together. It was his grandfather.
“What’s going on?” Jonathan demanded, but before Carter could answer, Derek’s voice cut in, loud and direct. “That woman’s pregnant? When are you bringing her home?”
Clearly, Derek had taken the phone.
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Chapter 496 A Matter of Timing
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Jonathan’s tone hardened. “What do you mean ‘that woman? Her name’s Anneliese, and she’s your granddaughter–in–law.”
“Granddaughter–in–law? You haven’t even brought her home to meet the family–how does that make her legitimate?” Derek barked, clearly angry.
Jonathan remained calm. “Your wife has already met her, and she likes her very much. So yes, she’s met the family. Unless, of course, you and Grandma aren’t a family anymore. Did you two split up while I wasn’t looking? Because if that’s the case, maybe I should help Grandma find a nice old gentleman for companionship.”
“Rubbish! Nonsense!” Derek fumed.
He and Penelope had been bickering lately, which was why she’d gone to stay in Oceaton for a while instead of returning to Halden. He couldn’t believe his grandson–rather than trying to mediate–had the audacity to throw such outrageous remarks at him!
“So it’s fine for you to try setting me up with someone I don’t like, but I can’t choose the woman I love? Isn’t that a double standard?” Jonathan shot back.
Derek was so angry that he nearly wanted to reach through the phone and smack his insolent grandson. “It’s almost New Year’s! You’re coming back with your grandma, and if she really is pregnant, bring her too!”
“She’s not pregnant,” Jonathan said flatly. “She’s still young.”
“Not pregnant? I just heard Carter—are you hiding it from me—”
“Grandpa, it’s late,” Jonathan interrupted.
“What?”
“You should go to bed. Everything you want will be waiting for you
in
your dreams.”
Derek was so infuriated that he hung up on the spot.
Moments later, Carter called back, sounding sheepish. “Your grandpa came over this afternoon. He and my old man ended up playing chess till late, so he happened to overhear. But seriously, you’re not bringing Anneliese to Halden for New Year’s?”
Jonathan looked out at the thick darkness beyond the window and gave a wry smile. “It’s not time yet.”
Of course, he wanted both of their families to have a proper meeting and solidify their marriage. But he was still, technically speaking, living off the grid. He hadn’t even won over
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Chapter 496 A Matter of Timing
Nishay yet.
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Also, bringing Anneliese home to Halden now would only stir up trouble–his grandfather and father might not be easy to handle, and the extended family wouldn’t be as kind as his grandmother. Worse still, his unpredictable mother would be back in Halden for the holidays
too.
He wasn’t afraid of anyone bullying his wife as long as he was there, but unnecessary conflict would only sour things and interfere with building their relationship. And if she ended up getting scared off again, he’d have no one but himself to blame. Better to wait. Next year, he swore, he’d spend New Year’s holding his wife in his arms.
Just as Jonathan turned to head back to the bedroom, his phone rang again—it was Zion.
“Sir, our people keeping an eye on Hiroto Hodge said he used his connections to buy four fake–identity tickets bound for Harin secretly.”
Jonathan’s eyes narrowed, a cold gleam flashing in them. “Trying to run, huh? Not that easy. Don’t startle him yet–just keep a close watch.”
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