Chapter 202 He’s Just a Friend
Chapter 202 He’s Just a Friend
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“No, I can’t. I’ve got a pet at home and I need to head back at noon to look after it. Some other time, my treat,” Anneliese said as she grabbed her bag. With a little wave, she walked off.
Jackson’s eyes dimmed like a puppy left behind, but he hurried after her. “Let me walk you down.”
She shed him a smile. Jackson’s hand at his side clenched, loosened, and tightened again. Right before the elevator doors slid open, he finally blurted it out. “Anneliese, I saw your post today. The one…”
Anneliese caught the hesitation in his voice and couldn’t helpughing. After turning to him, her smile was bright and steady. “Yeah. I got divorced today. Care to congratte me?”
“That’s great!” Jackson grinned before realizing how wrong that sounded. After scratching the back of his head, he stammered, “I mean–congrattions.”
“Thanks. I’m off.” She jogged away, her hair flying behind her like a banner.
He spun in ce twice, then pumped his fist with a whispered, “Yes!”
The girl he liked was finally single, and the whole world felt worth celebrating.
After sitting in her car, Anneliese finally noticed Jonathan’s reply waiting on WhatsApp.
‘Thanks for the flowers–I really love them. He added a dancing bear GIF.
‘Nah, no need to thank me. I’m just being loyal, after all.‘
Anneliese felt like there was nothing left for her to say.
Why does it <i>sound </i><i>like </i><i>there’s </i><i>this </i><i>undercurrent </i><i>of </i><i>resentment </i><i>in </i><i>that </i><i>reply</i>, <i>like </i>I’ve <i>somehow </i>let him <i>down</i><i>? </i>So what, <i>just </i><i>because </i><i>I </i>won’t <i>sign </i><i>the </i><i>papers </i><i>does </i><i>that </i><i>mean </i><i>I </i><i>have </i><i>no </i><i>loyalty</i>?
Anneliese had been staring at her screen for what felt like forever, not knowing what to type back. In the end, she simply locked her phone and tossed it aside.
She ignored more than ten calls from the Whites and drove straight back to Maple Bay.
n
11:59 Fri<b>, </b><b>Sep </b>12
Chapter 202 He’s Just a Friend
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Anneliese was cradling the bouquet carefully in her arms. She stepped into the elevator–only to notice an olddy already inside. The olddy carried herself with understated grace, and her features were soft and kind.
Behind her stood a middle–aged maid holding tworge shopping bags.
Anneliese gave a polite nod and shifted to press the button, but something about the olddy struck her as oddly familiar. She looked again–and met the olddy’s smiling eyes.
“Anne, don’t tell me you don’t recognize me? And this bouquet of yours–how funny! There are even fruits tucked in here. Peaches and pears, no less.”
The olddy was Penelope. Anneliese had only met her once in passing, andter they’d spoken briefly over a video call before exchanging WhatsApp.
Since then, they had kept in light touch..Sometimes, when Anneliese reminded her grandmother–Nishay Morris in Baytree–to bundle up before stormy weather, she would also drop Penelope a message.
Still, this was the first time they had ever encountered each other properly. No wonder Anneliese hadn’t recognized her at first nce.
“Old Mrs. Fullbuster? What a surprise!” Anneliese lit up, clearly delighted.
Penelope chuckled and immediately tugged her closer. “Now that’s fate talking. But what’s with ‘Old Mrs. Fullbuster‘? Sounds way too formal. Call me Grandma. And I’ll just call you Anne.”
“Grandma,” Anneliese echoed sweetly.
Penelope’s smile deepened as she nodded. Then, her eyes drifted to the bouquet in Anneliese’s hands, reminding her of the earlier question.
“I just got the divorce papers today,” Anneliese exined. “Mr. Fullbuster gave me these flowers. They symbolize a new lease on life after so much hardship.”
“Well, I’ll be d*mned. Who knew he had that kind of creativity in him?” Penelope blinked, half in disbelief.
Annelieseughed softly. “Of course he does, Grandma.”
Penelope shook her head and let out a sigh. “Don’t try to fool me. I know that man too well. If he’s not eating or sleeping, he’s buried in work. He’s stiff as a board, cold as ice, and he loses patience the moment a girl talks too long.
“Honestly, he’s a disaster waiting to happen.”
11:59 Fri<b>, </b><b>Sep </b>12
Chapter 202 He’s Just a Friend
“That’s not true. Mr. Fullbuster’s a good man. Plenty of girls like him.”
“Is that so? Then, tell me, Anne–do you like him too?”
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Anneliese felt speechless. She forced out an awkward smile. “Grandma, he’s just a friend.”
Penelope let out a snort. “See? I knew it. You probably find him dull and hard to get along with. No charm, no sense of fun.”
Anneliese could onlyugh in exasperation. “That’s not true, Grandma. Mr. Fullbuster has a wonderful personality. He may look cold outside, but he’s warm at heart–steady, reserved, and emotionally grounded. He mighte off as distant sometimes, but he’s far from boring.”
Penelope sighed. “Doesn’t matter. He’s not getting any younger, yet he still refuses to date or find a partner. At my age, I don’t even know if I’ll live long enough to see a great–grandson.”
In that moment, Anneliese truly understood just how much pressure Jonathan was under from <i>all </i>the talk of marriage.
She tried to lighten the mood. “Grandma, you’re still sharp as ever. You’ll live long enough to see your great–grandson ace the top exams.”
That made Penelope beam with delight.
When they reached her floor, she insisted Anneliese stay for lunch and wouldn’t take no for an
answer<b>. </b>
Anneliese couldn’t turn her down. She went home to feed Meatloaf, changed into fresh clothes, and returned upstairs.