Aside from Carter and Joel, no one had ever seen Jonathan being so possessive as he hovered protectively around Anneliese in his arms.


    In that split second, a wave of whistles rose around the room, and even more curious gazes fell on Anneliese.


    At that moment, Steven snapped back to his senses and gave Anneliese a polite smile.


    "Jonathan, aren''t you going to introduce her?" someone joked.


    Jonathan kept his arm around Anneliese as he led her forward.


    "This is Anneliese, my wife."


    Then, he introduced the few young men she hadn''t met before. Anneliese greeted them all with a smile.


    Although everyone teased her a bit, no one went overboard. The atmosphere was lively and cheerful.


    Jonathan sat down with Anneliese tucked beside him. On her other side sat Steven. Before she could greet him again, Steven picked up his wine ss and raised it toward her.


    "I''ve been wanting to thank you for taking care of Elliest time, but I never had the chance. A toast to you." Then, before Anneliese even had time to react, he tipped back the ss and downed it in one go.


    Anneliese immediately recalled finding Ellie in the restroom that night and bringing her back to the banquet. She even helped her tease Selina that evening.


    As Anneliese remembered that night, she smiled and quickly lifted her own ss.


    "It was Ellie who helped me that night. I really like her. She is adorable." Mentioning his daughter softened Steven''s gaze.


    "Ellie likes you too, Mrs. Fullbuster. She has aphasia. Otherwise, she would be calling you every day."


    "Really? I thought she''d forgotten me already." Anneliese was surprised and delighted. After all, she had left her number with Ellie, but the little girl never called.


    Steven smiled faintly and tapped on


    his phone. "It''s true. She drew several pictures for you. She''s been staying at the Malone family''s residence in Halden recently, and she kept all the drawings carefully, saying that she wanted to give them to you when she returns to Oceanton."


    Whenever Steven talked about his daughter, he became gentle and talkative. Soon, he showed her several children''s drawings.


    They were bright and colorful. The style was childish, but surprisingly vivid.


    Anneliese immediately recognized herself and Ellie in the drawings since the clothes


    and hairstyles were exactly what they wore that night. She found that Ellie''s observational skills were remarkable.


    "She draws so well!" Anneliese eximed in genuine admiration.


    Steven had heard people praise his daughter before, but Ellie''s aphasia meant manypliments were superficial-just mere courtesy.


    However, he could tell Anneli


    truly liked Ellie and truly thought the drawings were wonderful Perhaps that was why she felt inexplicably familiar and warm to him.


    Because of this, his smile deepened with sincerity. "Ellie will be back in a couple of


    days. Could I trouble you to meet her if you have some spare time?"


    Ellie didn''t have a mother or a close female role model. Since she adored Anneliese, Steven didn''t want to deny her such a small wish. Though he knew it was rather abrupt to ask a near-stranger to help with @child, Anneliese''s genuine affection made the words slip out naturally.


    "Of course. I''d be happy to." Anneliese nodded and smiled, showing no sign of reluctance.


    The two chatted pleasantly, and while they admired the drawings together, their heads unconsciously leaned closer.


    Jonathan had been pulled aside by Joel and two others to discuss something. When he turned back, he saw Anneliese''s whole body was leaning toward Steven.


    He instantly draped his arm possessively over the back of her chair as he leaned in. Then, he reached out and wrapped his fingers around the hand she used to hold her wine ss.


    "What are you and Steven talking about, honey?" he asked in a low voice. Anneliese didn''t sense anything amiss as she turned to him with a bright smile and said, "We''re looking at the drawings Ellie made for me. They are adorable!"


    As Jonathan nced toward Steven''s phone screen, his gaze darkened.


    In one of the pictures, there were three people. The woman and little girl riding the carousel were clearly Anneliese and Ellie. However, the man who wore sses was not Jonathan but Steven.