The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Jessica asked boldly, "But I'm better than Annalise! You wouldn't have to worry as much if you were with me."

Casper heard the chime of a new message and picked up the phone. He glanced at the text and replied at last, "I'm not into homewreckers."

He couldn't understand why Jessica never reciprocated his love even after he had fought for her.

Jessica's heart tightened at the cold, impassive reply from Zane. She couldn't help the crushing disappointment that overcame her but willed her expression to stay neutral.

She forced out a smile as she replied, "I'm not a homewrecker; I'm just a woman who dares to fight for love."

Casper didn't know how to respond to such a declaration, so he ignored her.noveldrama

When Jessica did not get a reply, she pressed frantically, "Are you that in love with Annalise? I don't know what you see in her."

There was still no response from Zane. Jessica typed out a lengthy text, her thumbs flying over her phone keyboard. But in the end, she deleted the long paragraph and told herself not to get riled up.

Zane was different from other men. He was intelligent enough to judge the situation for himself. He certainly wasn't gullible enough to take her word for it.

As such, she would be wise to slowly get to know Zane better. Once they were on more familiar terms, he would be attracted to her and eventually fall in love with her.

...

Steven showed up at Zane's office early in the morning. It was meant to be a business meeting, so Zane had no legitimate excuse to dismiss him or throw him out.

Zane and Steven went through the business documents together. The latter was surprisingly focused, his countenance serious as they worked out the terms of the agreement. When their discussion was over, they signed a deal.

Zane was about to rise to see

Steven off when the latter

approached the adjacent cubicle. He

fixed me with a smug look as he gloated, "Annalise, did I ever mention that invested a hundred million

dollars into marketing Jessica's comic?"

I eyed the haughty angle at which his chin was lifted and the arrogance on his face. I would have sputtered, but I remained composed as I said, "No, you didn't."

Once Steven found out that Jessica

was not pregnant with his child and

went to comfort Zachary, I would send Zachary the voice recording. wanted him to know that Steven had willingly invested 100 million dollars in Jessica yet refused to give Zachary more in child support.

Surely Zachary would have a meltdown then, and their father-son relationship would crumble.

Keeping my wicked amusement in check, I drawled nonchalantly, "What about it?" Noting my disinterest, Steven pressed, "Is Zane willing to invest that much in you?"

I glanced at Zane and mentally did the math. It was only then that I realized how much he had invested in me. He had bought several manufacturing companies just to produce merchandise for

my

comics, not to mention invested

Wholly in publishing.

Coupled with the promotional activities abroad... No, Zane had invested far more in me than Steven did Jessica.

I was mulling over my response when Zane interjected flatly, "You know I'm profit-driven."

Steven seemed pleased by the answer. He grinned as he asked, "In other words, you're stingy."

Zane didn't feel like explaining himself. He didn't have to tell the world how much he had invested in Annalise, so he withheld his retort.

Steven stared at me as he said smugly, "Aren't you envious, or even jealous, that Jessica is earning more than you? Or that her work is more popular than yours?"

I answered matter-of-factly, "No. She's not the only person who earns more than I do. Can you imagine me being envious of that many people? What a waste of time!"