When His Perfect Mask Shattered I Awoke (Anneliese) novel Chapter 423

Chapter 423 Retribution and Reckoning

Chapter 423 Retribution and Reckoning

Hold on… What am I thinking?

& C

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Jonathan yanked open the curtains, letting blinding sunlight pour into the room. Anneliese shielded her eyes, but a shadow quickly loomed over her.

He leaned in, pressing two kisses–one on the top of her head, another on the back of her hand.

“Be good. I’ll wait outside.”

She didn’t respond. Only after the door clicked shut did she lower her hands and open her eyes. Her ears still burned, and her gaze, leaning over the bed, accidentally landed on the trash can beside it.

Thanks to Mabel’s timely cleaning, the only remaining contents were what Jonathan had left behind the previous night. The bag was heavy, and Anneliese didn’t dare count it. The heat rushed back to her ears instantly.

Jonathan stepped out of the bedroom, a lingering smile in his eyes.

Just then, Zion called. Jonathan blocked Meatloaf, who was wagging her tail and pawing at the closed door, then sat on the couch to answer.

“What’s up?”

It was rare for their workaholic boss to skip the office all morning. Even though he had finished the day’s work yesterday, Zion couldn’t help feeling curious–and slightly concerned -about his absence.

Hearing Jonathan’s calm, cheerful tone, Zion decided to speak up.

“Mr. Fullbuster, are you planning to take time off for your wedding?”

Jonathan noticed Meatloaf still pawing at the bedroom door. He snapped his fingers, and the dog trotted to his feet, tail swishing in mild annoyance, still staring at the closed door as if puzzled why Anneliese hadn’t emerged.

Jonathan tugged gently at Meatloaf’s floppy ears. His voice was relaxed, tinged with a hint of

laziness.

“Not a bad idea.”

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19:01 Sat, Oct 11

Chapter 423 Retribution and Reckoning

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Zion froze. Jonathan had never mentioned this before. The thought of Jonathan taking time off sent a chill down his spine.

“I think you should discuss it with Mrs. Fullbuster first,” Zion hurried on. “Her grandmother is still in the hospital. This isn’t the right time.”

Hearing her grandmother mentioned, Jonathan’s smile faded slightly. His eyes darkened as he thought of the woman in the bedroom. His impatience had gotten the better of him.

He hadn’t told Anneliese about their shared past. He had planned to reveal it first, then let her decide if she truly wanted to be married to him.

If she objected, like her grandmother had back then, he would respect her wishes and let her

1. go.

If she forgave him, he would become her real husband, promising to protect and love her, never betray her.

He had underestimated her influence and temptation and overestimated his self–control. His selfish desire had won, and he had claimed her first. Shamelessly, he had thought it would give him leverage.

“You talk too d*mn much!”

His voice went icy and deep, like spring suddenly turning to winter.

Afraid he’d said the wrong thing, he quickly continued, “Mr. Fullbuster, the White brothers provided the overseas account Timothy used to pay Calvin to take all the blame for Selina. The account sent five million to his bank in Rugreica. They also gave his current location–he’s in a small town in Falvaria. We’ve already contacted people to track him. Once they find him, he’ll be brought back immediately.”

Calvin Brooks had been the ringleader and received the harshest sentence, but he was released early for good behavior. Shortly after, he disappeared completely.

Jonathan had tasked Zion with tracking him, but with no family and a long absence, there had been no progress.

The other three men who had worked with Calvin endured a brutal couple of months. Broken ribs and fractured legs were an everyday occurrence. Their wives had left, their children called other men “dad,” and two of them were now living under a bridge.

The last man wasn’t living under a bridge because, aside from Calvin, he was the other one who had attacked Anneliese that night. He had already lost three fingers and was now hiding from debt collectors, trying to keep the rest of his limbs intact.

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