When His Perfect Mask Shattered I Awoke (Anneliese) novel Chapter 455

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6:09 pm P P DD

Chapter 455 The One Who Can’t Move On

Chapter 455 The One Who Can’t Move On

Zacharias approached the Bentley simply because he recognized Jonathan’s car from afar.

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He’d just dropped his apology statement online and couldn’t bear to wait around. He needed to see Anneliese–to find out if her feelings had finally softened toward him.

He knocked on the window twice; still nothing.

By the fourth knock, irritation started to creep in. Maybe she’s not even in there, he thought, leaning closer to peek inside when the entire car suddenly rocked.

Zacharias froze. His hand hung midair, the blood draining from his face. For a moment, he couldn’t even process what he was seeing or imagining.

When his mind finally caught up, he blushed with rage. He hammered on the glass until his palm stung. “Anneliese! Jonathan! I know you’re in there! Open the d*mn door!”

“Mr. Shaw, we have to get moving!” Jackie’s voice called out from behind, urgent and panicked. “Reporters are already heading here. If we don’t go now, we’re toast!”

Zacharias reached for the Bentley’s door handle once more, but Jackie quickly approached from his car and took his arm. He had just received news that reporters had picked up the story and were closing in.

Jackie pulled harder, but Zacharias fought against him. Zacharias struggled as if leaving would cost him something priceless forever.

Jackie applied more pressure, his expression marked by urgency. After a brief moment of tense hesitation, Zacharias finally gave in and was pushed into the back seat. The door slammed shut just as the Bentley’s tinted rear window began to roll down.

The two cars eased past each other. Through the half–open window, Zacharias caught a split–second view inside; it was enough to make his blood boil.

Jonathan’s shirt was unbuttoned, with his collar hanging loose and revealing his chest in the dim light. He lounged back against the leather seat, looking smug and content. Anneliese was draped in his black suit jacket, her face hidden. Her delicate, ringed hand rested on his throat, her fingertips tracing the curve of his Adam’s apple.

Their eyes met for just a second.

Jonathan looked relaxed, almost amused. A slight smile played on his lips, yet his eyes were icy and sharp–challenging Zacharias to respond.

The window slid back up. Both cars rolled in opposite directions until the street was empty again.

Zacharias sat there for a long moment before fury took over. He kicked the back of the driver’s seat twice and then delivered two forceful punches into it.

The seat rattled beneath Jackie, but he kept his mouth shut and his eyes forward.

Zacharias eventually calmed down, but his face stayed tense with anger.

“How’s the chatter online?” he asked quietly.

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5:09 pm P PD

Chapter 455 The One Who Can’t Move On

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Jackie risked a quick glance in the rearview mirror before answering, “Just like you expected, Mr. Shaw. We pushed some paid comments and got the bots running. Things are steady now. Clauderias Tech’s stock price is climbing back.”

People online tended to be predictable–particularly when the person in difficulty was wealthy, attractive, and skilled at feigning

remorse.

Zacharias‘ apology was impeccably timed. He spoke in defense of Anneliese, appeared genuinely heartbroken, and projected an image of a “changed man.” Thanks to his charisma and strategic PR efforts, the story had shifted to favor him.

Comments now read like redemption slogans. People praised him for being “man enough to own his mistakes,” said “everyone deserves a second chance,” and excused his behavior with lines like “he’s only human–at least he’s honest.”

Some fans joked that he was too handsome for anyone to stay mad at him, as if it’s just part of being attractive. A few even begged Anneliese to forgive him.

Sure, some critics still called him a jerk and a bad influence, but after everything that had blown up before, this was a victory. Jackie couldn’t deny that Zacharias had played the PR game perfectly.

If he’d stayed with Coral, she would’ve dragged him straight down. That relationship was a ticking time bomb. The truth about his cheating was already floating around Clauderias Tech, and once it leaked online, it would’ve blown everything up.

“Keep an eye on the comments,” Zacharias ordered.

“Got it, Mr. Shaw,” Jackie replied. He hesitated before adding, “Mr. Shaw… maybe it’s time to let this go. Your mom and sister’s trial starts next week.”

Jackie understood that if Melody and Lenora were to be imprisoned, Zacharias‘ reputation would be badly damaged, and Anneliese would want no part of that scandal.

Besides, she was already married to Jonathan, and Jackie honestly understood her choice. If he were in her shoes, he’d have chosen Jonathan as well.

He knew there was no way to win this fight. Zacharias was only risking getting hurt. If he kept provoking Jonathan, that man could destroy Clauderias Tech simply for fun.

Zacharias turned his head slowly, his voice low and sharp as glass. “She and Jonathan won’t last. I still have a shot.”

Jackie had no idea where that confidence came from, but the look in his boss‘ eyes–dark, unblinking, and dangerous–was enough to shut him up.