The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 542

Jessica considered her options and decided her best bet was to provoke Steven. After all, she couldn't win over Zane, and patching things up with Casper would take time. Neither of them could bankroll her lifestyle. Unfortunately, her dependable cash source-Steven-was slipping out of her grasp. But she could still manipulate him into willingly spending on her with a few calculated moves.

Her eyes glinted with an idea as she picked up her phone and typed a message to Steven. "If you're planning to reconcile with Annalise, does that mean I'm free to find a new boyfriend?"

Jessica knew men well. She understood that even when they were done with a woman, they still held a fierce sense of ownership over her.

Steven wouldn't feel threatened if Jessica acted like she was still devoted to him. However, the moment she hinted at moving on, Steven would undoubtedly panic.

"You know my expenses are high. If I don't find someone to support me, the allowance you're giving me might not cover it," she added.

Steven read her message carefully, mulling over her words. He couldn't deny Jessica had expensive tastes-always buying jewelry and luxury goods. The idea of giving her a fixed allowance seemed impractical to sustain her lifestyle.

Yet, the thought of Jessica being with another man? Of his child calling someone else "Daddy"?

Steven wasn't sure he

think

had taken the bait. Chuckling

anticipated such a quick response from Steven. In her mind, he would need time to mull things over, perhaps letting her words simmer before reacting. She had even planned to relax, take her time with her nightly routine, and drift off to sleep. But her

ID. She answered and said in feigned

touch of desperation. "I've been

up and walked into her

said with a strained voice, "There's no way I

"Oh?" she responded again.

was becoming possessive of Jessica. "I don't want you with

After all, Zane was the kind of man Jessica couldn't possibly win over. Hence, he hadn't taken her seriously. When he heard Jessica saying that she wanted to find a new boyfriend, an inexplicable unease

push the issue directly. Instead, she said casually, "If I stay single, as you want, how am

you money,"

off balance. "Aren't you worried