**Created 501**


    **Driving a Wedge Between Them**


    "Yeah, that''s exactly what I was thinking," Anneliese replied, her voice steady, though her heart raced beneath the surface. "I''ll give her a call in a bit."


    No sooner had the words left her lips than her phone erupted with a series of chimes, each one piercing the silence of the room.


    Without a second thought, she reached for it, her mind racing with the expectation that it was a message from Jonathan. But as she nced at the screen, her heart sank, and the smile that had graced her face moments before vanished like a wisp of smoke.


    It wasn''t Jonathan reaching out. Instead, an unknown number had sent her a collection of photos that made her stomach churn.


    With trembling fingers, she opened the images, and her worst fears materialized before her eyes: Jonathan,ughing and smiling alongside India.


    The photos were taken in various locations, each one seemingly more intimate than thest.


    In one snapshot, the two of them stood side by side, adorned in matching uniforms, their faces lit up with joy as they exchanged knowing nces.


    Another captured a moment from avish banquet, where Jonathan donned a sleek ck suit, and India dazzled in a shimmering silver gown, theirughter mingling with the sounds of the celebration around them.


    But it was a particr image that struck her the hardest—India, her cheeks flushed with color, leaningfortably against Jonathan''s arm, while he enveloped her in a gentle embrace, his gaze filled with a softness that Anneliese had once thought was reserved for her alone.


    A chill coursed through Anneliese''s fingertips, rendering them cold and numb. She found herself frozen, staring at the screen as if it were a venomous snake poised to strike. Finally, she flipped the phone face down on the table, as if it had seared her skin.


    "WI


    do you look so pale all of a sudden? Are you not feeling well?" Nishay''s concerned voice broke through her haze.


    Anneliese quickly stered a smile on her face, trying to mask the turmoil brewing inside her. "I''m fine, Grandma. I''ll call Jessica now."


    "Alright, tell her toe over early," Nishay replied, her voice tinged with worry.


    Anneliese stood there, gripping her phone tightly, the weight of it almost unbearable. She dashed into her bedroom, feeling the air thicken around her.


    Nishay watched her retreat behind the closed door, her instincts sharpening. She hadn''t been certain before, but now the truth was crystal clear.


    That girl must really be in love.


    If it were merely Jessica she was calling, would she feel the need to hide away like that?


    The distracted expression on Anneliese''s face had spoken volumes-it was as if her emotions wereid bare for all to see.


    Nishay wasn''t blind to the signs.


    Falling in love was a beautiful thing, but sneaking around like this?


    Who exactly was that man? The mere thought sent a ripple of unease through her.


    Inside her bedroom, Anneliese couldn''t resist the urge to nce at the photos again, her heart racing with each image.


    Her face was pale, but amidst the storm of emotions, a sense of determination began to settle within her.


    With a deep breath, she tapped the screen and dialed the unfamiliar number, her heart pounding in her chest.


    No one answered, and the call went straight to voicemail.


    A soft, bitterugh escaped her lips as she typed a response. ''You''re a coward.''


    They were too frightened to even pick up the phone-what else could they be but a coward lurking in the shadows?


    After sending the message, she swiftly blocked the number, saved the incriminating photos, and took a screenshot of the contact.


    Then, without a moment''s hesitation, she forwarded everything to Jonathan.


    Though she had no idea who had sent those photos, it was clear they were attempting to create a rift between Jonathan and her.


    Yet, despite the obvious malice behind the act, once the initial shock wore off, Anneliese found herself leaning towards trusting Jonathan.


    She would hear his side of the story first.


    If his exnation didn''t satisfy her... Well, that would be a different matter entirely.


    Even after sending the photos to Jonathan, a sense of unease settled in her stomach.


    Grabbing her car keys, she dialed Jessica''s number, determined to pick her up herself. Perhaps a drive would help clear her mind and cool her racing thoughts.


    Meanwhile, at the Malone family vi in Oceaton, Gianna sat in front of her vanity, her fingers delicately trying on an array of new jewelry.


    Luxury boxes, each one a treasure brought back from her father''s recent travels,y scattered around her, yet despite the glittering gems, her expression was anything but joyful.


    Just moments ago, she had received the news that Zane was no longer alone. The mere thought of him with another woman ignited a furious ze within her.


    Years ago, when she was just fifteen, she had found herself in a bar overseas, where a man had crossed the line, harassing her.


    In a moment of panic, she had smashed a bottle over his head, never expecting the fragile man to copse into aa.


    His family, well-connected and vengeful, had dragged her to court, threatening to imprison her for life to pay for their son''s fate.


    The terror had been all-consuming.


    But it was Zane who had stepped in as her defensewyer, offering herfort and protection until the storm had passed.


    From that moment on, she had been captivated by him.


    She visited the Shayman family home often, and both families were aware of her growing feelings.


    Naturally, they had been more than happy to see their connection blossom.


    Yet, Zane had always treated her as nothing more than a little girl, the daughter of a family friend, dismissing her feelings as mere childish infatuation.


    But Gianna was no longer a child.


    Back then, he had insisted she was too young-barely twenty-and she had been forced to watch as he cycled through one girlfriend after another.


    After spending three years abroad, she had returned as a confident, mature woman, determined to impress Zane and finally im him as her own.


    Who could have predicted that another woman would already be by his side?


    And who did this Jessica think she was?


    From what Gianna had uncovered, the woman had no background, no education,


    and certainly no beauty to boast of.


    She was just an inconsequential nobody, unworthy of Zane''s attention.