Chapter 445 She Couldn''t Stand Dragging Him Into It


    Chapter 445 She Couldn''t Stand Dragging Him Into It


    54


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    Jonathan gave Anneliese a light tap on the head. The look in his eyes made it clear he wasn''t amused, and she quickly wiped the smile off her lips.


    "Hey, maybe now''s not the best time to go public about our marriage?" she asked carefully.


    The second the words left her mouth, Jonathan''s expression shifted. His brows drew together, the air around him growing colder.


    "You don''t want to? Or am I just that embarrassing to be seen with?" Jonathan''s tone shifted near the end, a hint of hurt slipping into his voice.


    Anneliese shook her head fast. "No, it''s not that. You''re too worth showing off! That''s exactly the problem. If we make it official right now, I''ll be under so much pressure.”


    She understood why he wanted to do it. If Jonathan announced their marriage, all those online rumors about her being someone''s side chick or whatever would die instantly.


    Plus, with Astoria University and Alexander stepping in to confirm she really had studied there, even if people still doubted her, she''d have the Fullbuster Group standing behind her. With proper PR control, public opinion can shift quickly. It was the smartest, cleanest fix.


    But she was still the inte''s favorite scandal at the moment, the center of every nastyment. Jonathan was trying to protect her, and she couldn''t stand the thought of dragging him into the mess.


    This move might calm things down for her, but it would only stir up more trouble for him. She could already hear thements, people saying he was the rich fool backing her, the guy dumb enough to buy her way into a researchb. They would call him blind for falling for a divorced woman and use him of shielding her if she couldn''t handle a scratch.


    Worse still, they''d start questioning if someone like that should even be leading AeroAir. Thepany''s reputation and even Fullbuster Group''s stock could take a hit.


    As much as Anneliese tried not to belittle herself, she knew deep down that right now she didn''t deserve him.


    When Jonathan said he wanted to make their rtionship public, her anxiety wasn''t fake. She hadn''t even met his grandfather, Derek Fullbuster, or his father, Keh Fullbuster. Not to mention all the rtives living out at the Halden.


    I keep thinking, if thepany takes a hit because of me before I even meet his family, how am I ever supposed to show up at their door like I belong there?


    Chapter 445 She Couldn''t Stand Dragging Him Into It


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    "Everything Coral''s been saying? Totally bogus. Clearing it up won''t be hard. I can handle it myself,” Anneliese said, looping her arms around his neck and batting her eyes.


    "I just... wanted to do something big first, you know? Achieve something before we''re officially ''us.'' I wanted people to gush about how perfect we are, not have the whole inte dragging us while I turn into some stain on your life. So, no announcement yet, okay, hubby..."


    Her voice was soft, teasing, dripping with charm.


    Typically, Jonathan would''ve melted like putty in her hands, agreeing to whatever she wanted. But this time his expression was unreadable and his lips were pressed thin. He didn''t say a word.


    He had that quiet kind of pressure that made it impossible to move. Anneliese swallowed, feeling her words die on her tongue. She just stared at him, looking helpless.


    After a long beat, she couldn''t take it anymore. Her tiny butt wiggled on his thigh, and she nervously poked at his chest with a fingertip. "Are you mad?”


    "Stop moving," Jonathan grunted. Then, without warning, he spread his legs and gave her a sharp smack on the butt. It was part warning, part punishment, for rubbing against him and for dragging her feet on going public.


    He didn''t hold back. The impact made her flesh jiggle under his palm, and Anneliese couldn''t help but gasp.


    It doesn''t really hurt much, but it''s so embarrassing.


    Anneliese''s eyes were a bit red at the corners as she leaned into his shoulder. “Can''t we just talk like normal? I''ve already been scolded so badly, and now you''re hitting me too! Boohoo."


    She pressed her head against his neck, letting out the most fake-sounding sobs imaginable.


    Even so, Jonathan felt a tug in his chest, a soft ache that made him almost slump. He gave her shoulder a gentle pat, his voice rough. "You''re not my stain. Never have been. Never will be."


    Something stirred in Anneliese''s chest. Her nose tingled a little, and she nuzzled against him.


    Jonathan''s chest sank again. "Stop with the fake sweetness. Are you trying to get me to tie myself to marriage with you at any moment?”


    That''s why she doesn''t want anyone to know we''re married. She''s always on edge, ready to step back, ready to leave me at a moment''s notice.


    Anneliese didn''t meet his gaze, or she would''ve caught the dark, almost obsessive


    Chapter 445 She Couldn''t Stand Dragging Him Into It


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    possessiveness lurking in Jonathan''s eyes. "Huh? Why would you think that? I swear, I didn''t mean anything like that."


    I''m not like that. Things are going pretty well between us right now. How could I want to walk away at any moment? Even this so-called contract marriage still has almost two years left. When that timees, I''ll go only if he actually wants me to.


    Anneliese''s words didn''t feel like she was trying to soothe him, but Jonathan felt a little lighter inside. Still, he knew she was keeping her distance. She wasn''t about to owe him anything, and she wasn''t going to lean on himpletely.