95 Lines That Couldn’t Be Crossed
Chapter 95 Lines That Couldn’t Be Crossed
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Jonathan leaned casually against the doorframe, watching as Anneliese all but sprinted down the hall, vanishing in a blink. A faint smile tugged at his lips. Tilting his chin at Meatloaf, who was still crouched by the door, he said, “Go on. If you don’t keep up this time, I’m afraid you really will end up as dog stew.”
“Woof!” Meatloaf barked as if it understood, then bounded after her.
Inside the elevator, Anneliese’s face still burned hot.
This entire floor belonged to Jonathan alone, and though the elevator didn’t open directly into his apartment, it wasn’t far from the door either. Which meant his teasing voice had carried perfectly into the elevator–and she had heard every word.
The humiliation made her want to crawl into a hole.
Thankfully for Meatloaf, just before the doors closed, it squeezed inside, and the elevator began its descent.
Back home, she collapsed onto the couch. Raking a hand through her hair, she forced herself to recall that night again, desperate for any detail. Nothing. Not a single memory surfaced.
Groaning, she grabbed a pillow and buried her face in it. God, did I do something even worse than kissing him?
She pulled out her phone, opened her chat with Jonathan, and hovered her fingers over the keyboard. She wanted to ask if anything else had happened that night. But she couldn’t bring herself to type the words.
Forget it! Just asking would be humiliating enough. But what if I really did something worse? Ugh, I’m going crazy.
She opened the chat again.
How the hell am I supposed to ask this? I’m losing my mind.
The only thing that saved her from drowning in her own embarrassment was a call from her best friend Jessica. Reliable as ever, Jessica had already found her a private investigator.
They met at a small park. By the time Anneliese arrived, Jessica was already there with the detective. He looked ordinary enough, his face calm and approachable, but his sharp gaze gave him away. Jessica explained that he had once served as a scout in the military and was highly capable.
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Chapter 95 Lines That Couldn’t Be Crossed
81
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Anneliese trusted Jessica’s judgment. Without wasting words, she handed over a photo and a folder of documents. “Detective Hayes, this man is Rory Reyes.
“Four years ago, he started a tech company called Intellicon. On the road to securing funding, he was in a car accident that caused the deal to fall apart. The company eventually went bankrupt, and he left Oceaton.
“I believe that accident was no accident, and I want you to investigate what really happened- and find him. This file has some basic information on possible suspects you can use for reference.”
The detective studied the photo and documents, then nodded. He said he would look into it and get back to her soon. After agreeing on a fee, he left.
Jessica’s eyes widened. “Hold up–are you suspecting that Zacharias staged that car accident? That’s brutal! I thought you were hiring him to dig into Selina White’s stunt against you.”
She cursed Zacharias under her breath, worry flickering in her eyes. To her, he was nothing but a wolf dressed in sheep’s clothing.
Anneliese shook her head. “The Selina White thing? No point. The Whites and Zacharias cover their tracks too well. Four years later, there’s no way I’d find evidence.”
Jessica leaned closer. “So, this is about leverage? You want something to force Zacharias into a divorce? That son of a b*tch–he’s done every rotten thing possible, broken your heart over and over, and still wants to chain you down.
“If he’s all that, why hasn’t an angel descended from the heavens to get him?”
She was still swearing when Anneliese’s phone rang again. The caller ID showed Clauderias Tech’s legal department. Frowning, she answered, only to be met with a low, steady breath on the other end. Then came that all–too–familiar, infuriating voice. “It’s me.”
Anneliese’s brows knitted. Her voice was icy. “What do you want?”
“Come to Jefferson Street Station right now and sign the settlement papers.” Zacharias‘ tone was deep, commanding, almost daring her to refuse.
Anneliese laughed outright, the sound sharp. She had a pretty good guess what this was about. “Settlement papers? What are you talking about? I haven’t even had breakfast yet. Goodbye.”
“Anneliese! I don’t care how angry you are, but dragging family business into the police station is going too far. No matter what my mother did, she’s still your mother–in–law. Use your head and get over here now.” His voice dropped even lower, laced with a rage he barely controlled.
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Chapter 95 Lines That Couldn’t Be Crossed
Anneliese pulled the phone away from her ear. “And if I don’t?”
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Outside the station, Zacharias stood in the chill of early winter. The wind ruffled his hair as his sharp features set like stone. “Anne, must you really do this to get back at me? If you insist,
then I’ll have no choice but to cut off the medical funds in Baytree.”
