Since it was just an audio recording, there was no way to see Melody''s face or read her expression. They couldn''t tell if she was nervous or lying.


    Jonathan already felt pretty sure Melody was involved in Nak''s death, but he needed solid confirmation before making a move. Otherwise, everything he had done until now would be a waste of time.


    The audio didn''t sound suspicious to them, but a professional could pick up on subtle pauses, breaths, and tone shifts that reveal if someone is lying, and give them a more urate assessment.


    "Understood, Mr. Fullbuster."


    Zion knew Jonathan was always careful about everything, so he didn''t say any more. He took the tablet and left.


    With Zion gone, Jonathan was alone in the huge living room.


    The Banyans was a five-story vi, and since he nned to move in with Anneliese after the new year, Jonathan had the whole ce remodeled.


    He had everything decorated to match Anneliese''s taste-low-key luxury, elegant and refined.


    When Anneliese transferred the Maple Bay apartment to Sylvia, she packed up all her things. Some of her belongings were brought upstairs, and the rest were delivered to this floor.


    Two of Anneliese''s things now sat on the shelf across from the couch.


    One was an Emerald Meadow vase, filled with green lisianthus. It stood out as a decorative piece-impossible to miss.


    Jonathan stared at it for a moment, then sighed, leaned back, and rubbed his brow.


    Some things just don''t go ording to n. Who knows when I''ll finally have her here as thedy of the house?


    His phone rang. Jonathan opened his eyes and checked the screen. It was Penelope. He quickly pulled himself together and answered.


    "Grandma."


    Penelope asked, "Jonathan, is Anne feeling better?"


    Jonathan rubbed his brow. He honestly didn''t know how Anneliese was doing. But when they left Maple Bay, she just looked a little pale. Other than that, she didn''t seem too unwell.


    "She''s fine now, Grandma. Don''t worry."


    "Then put Anne on the phone. I want to hear it from her."


    Penelope insisted, so Jonathan pinched the bridge of his nose. "Grandma, she''s in the shower. It''s not a good time..."


    Before he could finish, Penelope cut him off.


    "You think i''m senile? Showering in


    the middle of the day? At least make your lies more convincing! Don''t fry. me


    to fool me. Felyxia already to


    everything!"


    Jonathan had rushed back to Oceanton, and Penelope thought it was because he


    was worried about Anneliese''s health and wanted to take care of her.


    Felyxia never expected things to get so out of hand. She was worried Jonathan mighte after her for it, and the guilt kept her on edge. After two days she couldn''t hold it in, amy longer, so she went to Penelope and confessed how she''d said the wrong thing and might have caused a falling-out between Anneliese and Jonathan.


    Penelope got worried and checked with the staff at the main house.


    The maids told her about Jonathan''s temper and how he grilled everyone the other


    day.


    Plus, the Holfs couldn''t get through to Jonathan, so they came straight to Derek and Penelope for help.


    That was how Penelope learned what really happened.


    Back when Jonathan got in trouble in Baytree, Penelope wasn''t even in Lunasia. Her own mother was seriously ill, and she''d been in Stravion with her.


    By the time her mother passed away and she returned to Lunasia, half a year had gone by. It had been months since the incident.


    All Penelope noticed was that her grandson had be withdrawn. She''d asked Derek about it, and he''d only mentioned Baytree—not Anneliese''s name.


    Penelope had no idea there was such a deep connection between Anneliese and Jonathan.


    She''d liked Anneliese from the start-she was sweet, gentle, and beautiful. And since Jonathan cared about her, that was good enough.


    She never expected there was so much more to the story.


    No wonder Jonathan had changed so much overnight.


    Jonathan gave a helplessugh when his grandmother caught on.


    "Grandma, did you just call to rub it in?"


    Penelope actuallyughed. "Anne isn''t with you right now, is she? Serves you right! you tried to hide something so big. That''s basically tricking her into marrying you. No wonder Anne is mad at you!"