Chapter 34 City Hall
Chapter 34 City Hall
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It was one of Zacharias‘ most beloved meals. In the past, Anneliese had poured hours into preparing it, taking pride in pleasing him.
Now… she could only sneer at the thought.
<i>I </i><i>must </i><i>have </i><i>had </i><i>far </i><i>too </i><i>much </i><i>time </i><i>on </i><i>my </i><i>hands </i><i>back </i><i>then</i>.
“Got it!” she replied curtly.
Zacharias only heard petnce, nothing more. He was certain she would give in eventually, just as always.
Smiling indulgently, he pinched her cheek. “My dear wife, you really are the best.”
Anneliese nearly spat in his face, but the man finally released her, and she pressed down on the elerator, speeding away.
In the rearview mirror, his tall figure stood motionless, eyes fixed on the car as it pulled away.
That show of tenderness no longer stirred the faintest ripple in her heart.
<i>Watch </i><i>closely</i><i>, </i><i>Zacharias</i>. <i>You’re </i><i>not </i><i>the </i><i>only </i><i>one </i><i>who </i><i>can </i><i>put </i><i>on </i><i>a </i><i>performance</i><i>. </i><i>I’ve </i><i>fooled </i><i>you</i>, <i>too</i>. <i>What </i>you <i>gave </i><i>me</i>, <i>I’ll </i><i>return </i><i>in </i><i>full</i><i>—</i><i>the </i><i>sting </i><i>of </i><i>betrayal </i><i>from </i><i>the </i><i>person </i><i>closest </i><i>to </i><i>you</i>.
The paperwork was processed smoothly at City Hall.
The moment the divorce certificate slid into her hands, Anneliese felt a weight lift. She was ready to leave when Melody tugged her back.
“Anne…” Melody sighed. “I’ve watched you since you were little. It breaks my heart to see you and Zachariase to this. But you must understand, he isn’t just anyone now. He’s on his way to bing a titan in business.
“How could such a man keep a wife drowning in scandals, mocked wherever she goes? That won’t do. And besides… You can’t bear children. My son’s empire needs an heir.”
Her words were smooth, carefully wrapped in the guise of reason, as if everything she said was for Anneliese’s own good.
Anneliese yanked her hand away, cutting her off.
14:15 Fri<b>, </b>Sep <b>5 </b>
Chapter 34 City Hall
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“Empire? You can tell me that, but don’t embarrass yourself by saying it to others. You’re only here for one thing–you want me to erase that video of Zacharias cheating, isn’t that right?”
Melody’s mask cracked for an instant; disdain and irritation flickered across her face.
She had once liked Anneliese. But now? That stubborn pride, those clear eyes that seemed to strip away falsehood–intolerable.
After all, what <i>does </i><i>Anneliese </i><i>have </i><i>left</i>? <i>No </i><i>parents </i><i>to </i><i>shield </i><i>her</i><i>, </i><i>no </i><i>family </i><i>of </i><i>her </i>own<i>. </i><i>She </i><i>survived </i><i>solely </i>on <i>Zacharias</i>‘ <i>support</i><i>. </i><i>So</i><i>, </i><i>what </i><i>right </i><i>does </i><i>she </i><i>have </i><i>to </i><i>look </i><i>at </i><i>anyone </i>with <i>such </i><i>defiant </i><i>rity</i><i>? </i>
“Anneliese! How dare you talk to my mother like that! If you don’t delete that video right now, I’ll call my brother this instant!”
Lenora lunged forward, trying to shove her, but Anneliese sidestepped neatly. Lenora nearly toppled over, cheeks burning with rage.
Anneliese’s face remained calm, long used to her sister–inw’s favorite threat.
<i>She </i>thinks <i>this </i>still <i>works </i><i>on </i><i>me</i><i>. </i><i>Once </i><i>upon </i><i>a </i><i>time</i><i>, </i><i>it </i><i>did</i>. <i>Not </i><i>anymore</i>.
“Lenora, do you really believe I’m still scared of you running to Zacharias? Go ahead–call him. See if I care. And even if I erased the video now, what makes you so sure I didn’t keep a backup?”
Both Melody and Lenora froze, their expressions darkening at once.
Anneliese flicked her wrist dismissively. “Rx. As long as the divorce goes through without drama, I won’t hang onto that video a second longer. It’s disgusting to me, too.”
Without waiting for their response, she slipped into her car and drove away.
Lenora stood seething, ring at the spot where the car vanished.
“Mom, are we really letting her walk away with 500 million from my brother? It’s 500 million! Why should she get a cent?”
What right does Anneliese have<i>? </i><i>She’s </i><i>making </i><i>me </i><i>unbelievably </i>angry<i>! </i>
Melody’s voice was steady. “Your brother is a public figure. Even if she doesn’t sue but releases proof of his affair, it’s his reputation that will shatter, not hers.
“Let’s keep her calm for <i>now</i><i>, </i>then find a way to cut her off. That 500 million won’tnd in her hands so easily.”
14:15 Fri, Sep <b>5 </b>
Chapter 34 City Hall
At that, Lenora’s pout softened into a sly grin. She linked arms with her mother.
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“Mom, don’t worry. Anneliese wille crawling back one day, begging to return to him. When that happens, promise me you won’t show her any mercy.”
“Of course not. I can’t stand the sight of her anymore,” Melody replied, though her mind had already drifted elsewhere. Images shed–years ago, when Richard had beaten her until shey half–dead, humiliated and incontinent.
Back then, Lenora was too young to help. Anneliese had been the one to clean her up, to tend to her when no one else would.
That memory festered like a hidden wound. Every time Melody faced Anneliese’s unyielding gaze, it was as if the girl mocked her weakness and her carefully cultivated grandeur.
But now, things had changed. Her son was sessful, she was a woman of means, and the past no longer needed to exist.
Anneliese <i>should </i><i>disappear</i><i>. </i><i>She </i><i>no </i><i>longer </i><i>has </i><i>the </i><i>right </i><i>to </i><i>stand </i><i>before </i><i>me</i>.
“Mom, what if my brother actually forgives her and takes her back?”