Chapter 456
6:10 pm P P DD
Chapter 456 Fire and Shadows
Chapter 456 Fire and Shadows
+10 Free Coins
Outside the restaurant, Anneliese was still tucked inside Jonathan’s suit jacket. She adjusted her clothes, smoothing the wrinkles from her blouse, and was ready to instruct the driver to leave when a sudden disturbance erupted near the entrance.
A wave of reporters gathered on the front steps, microphones and cameras flashing in rapid bursts.
Coral had just exited the restaurant and was instantly encircled.
“Ms. Slenderidge, everyone thought you were an honor student! Why’d you throw it all away to be Mr. Shaw’s mistress p>
“Did you really seduce him p>
“Mr. Shaw said he and Ms. Claude sponsored your studies. Care to explain why you betrayed them p>
“Ms. Slenderidge, the university kicked you out for misconduct and embarrassing the school. Do you admit to that p>
The questions came one after another, cutting sharper than knives. Coral threw up her hands to shield her face, staggering backward as flashbulbs exploded around her.
She never thought that after all she’d risked, she would end up feeling humiliated like this.
Her voice broke into panicked screams as she tried to push through the crowd, but before she could, the wail of sirens filled the street.
A police car arrived, and officers got out. Soon after, Coral was handcuffed and taken away for defamation.
Inside the Bentley, Jonathan’s phone buzzed. He answered, listened briefly, then hung up with a faint, knowing smile.
He looked down at Anneliese, who was still nestled against him. “You ever hear of a guy named Felix Hammond p>
Anneliese frowned slightly, thinking. “Felix… That name sounds familiar p>
Jonathan nodded. “Apparently, the day before Coral went public with her post, she met up with one of her old roommates. The roommate’s boyfriend, Felix Hammond, tried to get into Prof. Clocke’s lab a few times but failed. It seems like he’s the one who put her up to this mess p>
Anneliese’s expression changed as she remembered. “Oh, right. Felix was a senior when I was in school. He also aimed to join Prof. Clocke’s lab, but the professor selected me instead, which gave me a direct route to my master’s and PhD. He didn’t take it well, and I think he had to retake his exams the following year p>
She shook her head slowly. If it’s him, then yeah … it makes sense. He must’ve realized I got accepted back into the lab. I can see how that would’ve stung.
Jonathan smirked, tapping her nose playfully. “Guess that’s what happens when my wife is too d*mn talented for her own good p>
Anneliese blushed and gently punched him in the chest. “You’re impossible. Do you have proof? I should inform Prof. Clocke and report this to the department p>
“I’m on it,” Jonathan replied, already pulling up a message on his phone. “Someone will deliver the evidence to your inbox tonight p>
1/2
5:10 pm P P D
Chapter 456 Fire and Shadows
+10 Free Coins
Halfway up the hill at the Fullbuster Residence, Elizabeth was practicing her morning yoga when the butler burst into the room with a tablet. “Mrs. Fullbuster, Ms. Claude is trending online again p>
Elizabeth frowned, lowering her arms. “Her? Why? Did the marriage leak p>
Her tone was tinged with irritation. She believed the woman couldn’t tolerate being a secret and had revealed the news herself due to insecurity.
Yet, the butler shook his head quickly. “No, Mrs. Fullbuster. You’d better see for yourself p>
He handed her the tablet. Elizabeth snatched it, scrolling with an impatient flick of her finger.
“Hmph. Even if she attended Astoria University, so what? Many students come from there, but none of them are good enough for Jonathan. What’s gotten into him, letting her p>
Her words trailed off as her eyes caught the mention of Baytree in Anneliese’s file.
For a moment, Elizabeth just stared. Then her expression twisted, the color draining from her face.
No wonder that name and face always seem so familiar.
It’s her.
How could it possibly be her?
The tablet slipped from her hands and hit the floor with a sharp crack, the screen splintering on impact.
“Mrs. Fullbuster! Are you okay?” The butler quickly approached, then stopped in shock upon seeing her face as pale as paper.
“I’m fine,” she replied quietly, waving him off. “You can go p>
He hesitated, then nodded and left without another word.
Elizabeth sank onto the couch by the window, pressing a towel to her face as if to steady herself. Her fingers tightened around the fabric.
As she wiped behind her right ear, her fingers brushed across a small patch of rough, uneven skin. The familiar burn pulsed beneath her fingertips.
Her mind went blank.
Then, suddenly–fire.
She recalled that night when flames illuminated the Baytree sky.
It was the year everything fell apart–the Hoff family faced financial ruin, prompting her to ask the Fullbusters for help, and she also confessed to her husband her wish to mend their marriage. It was also a year when everything went up in smoke.
2/2
6:10 pm P PDD
Chapter 457 The Night Everything Burned
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.