The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 548

Steven lifted his head and looked at Portia.

She couldn't let what he did to Zachary slide so easily. If she did, it would only encourage others to think Zachary was an easy target, enticing everyone to bully him.

Hence, Portia stepped forward and slapped Steven across the face. "Since you beat Zachary, I'm hitting you back on his behalf. This makes us even."

Steven took a deep breath and said coldly, "I've tolerated you again and again because you're Annalise's mother. Don't push your luck."

Portia glared at him and retorted, "Annalise is unrelated to you anymore, and neither am I. There's no need to tolerate us."

With that, Portia turned and walked away without looking back.

As Steven watched her retreating figure, an unexpected bitterness welled up in his chest. He couldn't help but recall how Portia treated him with such warmth. Whenever he and Annalise visited her, Portia always prepared meals he liked. Even Annalise couldn't hide her jealousy. She would pout, teasing Portia, "You treat your son-in-law better than me. I'm jealous."

Portia would always gently tap Annalise's cheek and tease her, "You're a grown woman. Is this really necessary?"

and harmonious family. So how

left Steven, while Portia treated him with disdain and couldn't wait to berate him. What had he

up early and headed to Yvonne's

gaze landing on Sasha.

As the pampered

parents, Sasha had

feelings. After being blindsided by Yvonne, she wasn't

en novelxo

was assigned to that project team?" she

deal. Shrugging, she answered nonchalantly, "Yes, I did. So

so boldly. The

makes you think you can

matter. What matters is that I knew,

friend. I don't like either of you. And now that he knows you are rich, he's definitely going to harass you all day." Yvonne smirked and continued, "Honestly, I enjoy watching you suffer. Even if he hadn't asked, I'd have made sure

her, she could have let it slide. But she was dragging Annalise into