Chapter 80 A Wound That Spoke Louder Than Words.

Chapter 80 A Wound That Spoke Louder Than Words

Anneliese nced down and spotted the blood sceping through her bandage.

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The cut had torn open again–no doubt from that chaotic tug–of–war with Zacharias and Coral. He had pulled at her endlessly, too wrapped up in himself to notice she was hurt. She hadn’t even realized it until now.

Jonathan, however, picked it up at once. That small detail rattled her. A mix of emotions rose in her chest–heavy, sour, hard to name.

She pushed it down quickly. “It’s nothing.”

Jonathan’s tone hardened. “Didn’t you once say even small wounds need proper care? Don’t brush me off.”

His eyes bore into her, making her stomach twist with guilt. “No… I’ll fix it up when I’m home.”

Zion jumped in with a quick diversion. “Ms. ude, were you out shopping?”

His gaze flicked toward the bags Jonathan held. Anneliese gave a faint nod. “I bought a suit for you and picked out two ties. Just a little thank–you gift. I hope they fit.”

Jonathan’s brows rose, surprise flickering across his usually impassive face.

Zion rushed to back her up. “They’ll fit perfectly. I already got all Mr. Fullbuster’s preferred brands and sizes-”

Anneliese almost choked as her mind shed back to that absurd file Zion hadpiled–so detailed it even included irrelevant details.

Before Zion could dig himself into a hole, she cut him off, “The elevator’s here. Let’s go.”

The three entered together. Jonathan stood silently at the front while she and Zion lingered behind. Zion let out a quiet sigh of relief and mouthed a quick thanks.

She subtly gestured for him to stay quiet.

When she turned, she found Jonathan watching her. Their eyes locked for a moment that stretched too long.

Thankfully, Zion spoke at just the right moment, “Ms. ude, did you have lunch yet? We’re just about to cook. You should join us.”

b14:26 /bFri, Sep b5 /b

Chapter 80 A Wound That Spoke Louder Than Words

Anneliese blinked. “Is that really okay? I’m not sure it’s appropriate.”

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Inside, she couldn’t help rolling her eyes. iWow/i. iWith /iithe /iiboss /iiright /iihere/ii, /iiZion /iijust /iitakes /iiover /ilike iit’s /i

ihis /iice/i. iHonestly/i, ihe’s /iibehaving /iimore /iilike /iithe /iidy /iiof /iithe /iihouse /iithan /iian /iiassistant/i.

iCould /iiJessica /iihave /iibeen /iiright/ii? /iiMaybe /iiJonathan /iireally /iidoes /iiswing /iithat /iiway/ii… /i

“Come on,

it’s really fine,” Zion grinned. “The housekeeper is off this week, and my cooking could kill someone. Mr. Fullbuster has been way too patient with me. If you could take over meals for a bit, you’d be rescuing both of us.”

Ahi, /iithe /iihousekeeper’s /iiaway/i. iThat /iiexins /iwhy, she told herself.

Her gaze then slid to Jonathan.

Jonathan looked at her steadily. “That’s unnecessary. You really don’t have to.”

Anneliese weighed it quickly. iI’ve /iigot to /iicook /iianyway/i–iwhether /iiit’s /iihere /iior /iiat /iihome /iimakes /iino /iidifference/ii. /iAt ileast /iithis /iiway/ii, /iit ifeels /ilike iI’m /iipaying /iihim /iiback /iifor /iieverything /ihe’s idone /iifor /iime/ii. /i

She replied, “It’s no trouble. I’ll walk Meatloaf quickly, thene by.”

Jonathan nodded. “Bring him along as well.”

The elevator arrived on her floor, and she slipped out.

As the doors slid shut, Jonathan’s voice cut through. “Bold move, huh?”

Zion was quick ito /istraighten up. “Sorry, Mr. Fullbuster. My cooking is truly terrible, and I didn’t want to torture you with it.”

Jonathan didn’t answer. He strode away without looking back.

Zion’s eyes followed Jonathan as he strode off. iHe’s /iipleased/ii, /iiI /iican /iitell/i. iStill/ii, /iiwhy /iido /iiI /iifeel /ilike I’m abetting a kidnapping iof /iian /iiinnocent /iiwoman/i?

He sighed to himselfi. /iiSo /iimuch /iifor /iimorals/ii, /iiZion/i–you’ve isold /iithose /iioff /iicheap/i. Call it a isin /iiif /iyou want. iBut /iihey/ii, /iiI’m /isingle, iI’m /iiunderpaid/ii, /iand ivis /iidon’t /iibuy /iithemselves/i. iWhat’s /iwrong with wanting a few imore /iithis /iiyear/ii? /i

At uderias Tech.

Zacharias showed up from his business trip without warning. As soon as he entered the office,

Chapter 80 A Wound That Spoke Louder Than Words

the atmosphere grew tense, and a thick silence settled over everyone.

“Mr. Shaw…” Jackie was already waiting by the door, iPad clutched tight in both hands.

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Zacharias lifted his chin slightly. Jackie rushed forward and handed it over. “I pulled the surveince from the day Mrs. Shaw visited.”

Zacharias took the device and strode straight into his office, his face dark.

Throughout the entire drive back, his mind kept looping the same thought. Now, as he stared at the screen, he had to face it. iShe’s /iknown ifor /iiages/i. I’m ithe /iifool /iithinking /iiI /iicould /iihide /iiit/i.

14:26 Fri, Sep b5 /b