Jonathan''s brows drew together. "What are you doing now?"


    He was buried in responsibilities as the head of thepany, while someone else was clearly having a carefree moment.


    "What? Nothing."


    Zion quickly gestured for the two women beside him to keep quiet. Barefoot, he stepped a few yards away across the sand before speaking again.


    "Mrs. Fullbuster..."


    He wanted to exin that the Hoff family was copsing. They were no longer what they once were. These two major projects ounted for nearly half of Holf Real Estate''s revenue.


    Cutting them would be like severing a vital artery. After all, the Hoff family was connected to Jonathan through his mother.


    And with Elizabeth''s explosive temper, she would absolutely blow up during the holidays.


    Yet, before Zion could finish speaking, Jonathan''s voice dropped-sharp and icy. "No excuses. Do it now."


    "Yes, Mr. Fullbuster. I''ll take care of it immediately." Zion ended the call and wiped the sweat from his forehead.


    He had no idea what Elizabeth had done this time to push Jonathan this far. And after today, he could already imagine how strained that mother-son rtionship would be.


    Not daring to dy, he sent out the instructions at once.


    After hanging up, Jonathan searched for his cousin Felyxia''s number and dialed.


    At that moment, Felyxia was in a private theater with a few wealthy heiresses-and


    a couple of attractive malepanions-watching a New Year''s hit film.


    She nced at her buzzing phone. A chill ran through her, and the beverage she was drinking caught in her throat, sending her into a coughing fit.


    "Ms. Felyxia, are you okay? Be careful!" one of the escorts panicked and patted her back.


    Her expression darkened. Seeing the caller ID felt like staring straight at the Grim Reaper.


    A terrible feeling crept over her-Jonathan must have discovered everything, and now he was calling to settle the score.


    But she didn''t dare decline. She waved the young man away, stood up, hurried out of the theater, and answered the call.


    As expected, the moment the phone reached her ear, Jonathan''s deep voice came through. "What exactly did you say to Anneliese yesterday?"


    ...


    Elsewhere, Elizabeth was spending the afternoon at a flower exhibition with several societydies.


    The event took ce inside a ss conservatory, and each attendee brought a few pots of unusual blossoms to disy.


    Elizabeth presented a Nymphaea


    thermarum a blossom so rare it


    was nearly impossible to find. It bloomed for only seven days each year strictly summer Once that brief window passed, the next opportunity would note for another year.


    She had paid a hefty sum to acquire one in full bloom, and thedies crowded around her in admiration.


    Her expression remained calm. "I''m not sure how Jonathan managed to get it He knew I would be attending this event and worried wouldn''t enjoy myself, so he went out of his way to find it for me."


    "You really are lucky. Jonathan treats you so well."


    "Honestly. Who wouldn''t envy you? I have four little terrors at home, and together


    they still don''t measure up to one Jonathan."


    "Oh, please. It''s not just your family. Throughout the entire Halden circle, no onepares to Jonathan."


    The women chimed in one after another.


    Then ady wearing a full cornflower-sapphire set let out a dramatic sigh.


    "So many of us hoped to form a marriage connection with the Fullbuster family. The Halden


    heiresses were practically ready to fight over him, and who would ve imagined some unknown outsider him first?"


    would swoop in and take sider


    Cóntent


    Everyone knew Elizabeth''s marriage was unstable, and the Hoff family had been declining year after year.


    Her prestige in recent years came entirely from her title as "Mrs. Fullbuster," a position secured by her outstanding son, Jonathan.


    Elizabeth would never allow anyone to suspect that her rtionship with her only son was actually strained.


    In public, she always maintained the image of a loving mother with an obedient son. And because Jonathan had stayed single for so many years with no marriage in sight, every mother with a daughter in Halden showered Elizabeth withpliments.


    She reveled in it.


    But thenst year, Jonathan suddenly announced he was getting married.


    Just the day before the announcement, Elizabeth had still been telling thedies she


    was thinking over her potential daughters-inw.


    His marriage news hit her like a p.


    Now that woman brought it up again—not to offer sympathy, but to stir drama.


    She and Elizabeth had never gotten along, and the moment she spoke, everyone turned to watch Elizabeth.


    "Mrs. Fullbuster, didn''t Jonathan bring his wife home for the holidays? Why didn''t you bring her today so we could meet her?"


    Elizabeth''s expression had already cooled the instant Anneliese entered the conversation. She took two measured sips of her coffee before offering a reply.