The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 551

I answered confidently, "It was. The divorce came so quickly and suddenly that I couldn't cover my losses even with my old job. It would have taken me a long time to get back on my feet."

Zane asked, "Have you ever considered going back to your old job?"

I didn't even think before shaking my head. "No. I love my career now, and it pays better. Why would I go back?"

Zane's smile widened when he heard my answer.

Shane had been waiting in the cafe below Huxham Corporation long before the lunch hour. When Sasha showed up, he pointed out sarcastically, "My, my, aren't we the busy office lady? How could you keep me waiting like this?" Sasha rolled her eyes and shot him a withering look. "You know most of us get off for lunch at the same time, right? It's not my fault you decided to show up early.

"Besides, I came here as soon as the clock struck noon. You should be lucky I even bothered coming."

Shane earnestly nodded when he heard this. "Okay, okay."

Worried that he might have forgotten the budget she gave him, she said tersely, "You can order whatever you want as long as you keep it under a hundred dollars." Shane protested, "That's stingy of you."

his attempt to negotiate further. "I'm living on a paycheck now, and it's not a big one. I take care not to overspend. Feel free to leave if you think you deserve better." The steely tone in her voice made Shane oblige immediately. "I'll

Sasha

a coffee and pasta for himself, which added up to 99 dollars. He flashed her smug grin as he said, "My budgeting's pretty genius,

saved you

a child, Sasha drawled, "Yes, how

didn't miss the good old days. Back then, my friends and I would have feasts

of them wouldn't hold back on treating me to fancy meals, either." He fixed Sasha with a meaningful look and added, "Unlike now.

did not miss

snorted. She countered, "First of all, you never treated me to any meal. Secondly, i you're on such

if

speak so highly of, don't you have them buy

a king, right?" She propped her face up in her hands

me, I'm just as surprised as you are! I used to treat them to those fancy meals or whatever they wanted, yet they turned their backs on me when I needed them the most! "They avoid me like the plague now if I even so much as hint

baffled by their behavior. After all, he had treated them as his closest friends. Disgruntled, he asked Sasha, "Why