The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 481

Jessica asked boldly, "But I'm better than Annalise! You wouldn't have to worry as much if you were with me."

Casper heard the chime of a new message and picked up the phone. He glanced at the text and replied at last, "I'm not into homewreckers."

He couldn't understand why Jessica never reciprocated his love even after he had fought for her.

Jessica's heart tightened at the cold, impassive reply from Zane. She couldn't help the crushing disappointment that overcame her but willed her expression to stay neutral.

She forced out a smile as she replied, "I'm not a homewrecker; I'm just a woman who dares to fight for love."

Casper didn't know how to respond to such a declaration, so he ignored her.

When Jessica did not get a reply, she pressed frantically, "Are you that in love with Annalise? I don't know what you see in her."

There was still no response from Zane. Jessica typed out a lengthy text, her thumbs flying over her phone keyboard. But in the end, she deleted the long paragraph and told herself not to get riled up.

Zane was different from other men. He was intelligent enough to judge the situation for himself. He certainly wasn't gullible enough to take her word for it.

on more familiar terms, he would be attracted to her and eventually

...

office early in the morning. It was meant to be a

together. The latter was surprisingly focused, his countenance serious as they worked out the terms of the agreement. When their discussion

about to rise

when

the adjacent cubicle.

me with a smug look as he gloated, "Annalise, did I ever

marketing

haughty angle at which his chin was lifted and the arrogance on his face. I would have sputtered, but I remained composed as

Steven found out

with his

wanted him to know that Steven had willingly

meltdown then, and their

my wicked amusement in check, I drawled nonchalantly, "What about it?" Noting my disinterest, Steven pressed, "Is Zane willing to

only then that I realized how much he had invested in me. He had bought several manufacturing companies

my