It was undeniable.


    "Mr. Shaw, the whole inte''s against you," Jackie said in a rush. "They''re saying your mother''s a murderer and that you''re no better. They''re using uderias Tech of being corrupt, saying your products are full of malware, your clients'' data''s leaking everywhere, and that you''re probably using it for something illegal."


    Jackie''s words came faster and faster. His panic was written all over his face. This wasn''t just a scandal. It was a full-blown disaster. If handled right, they might survive. If not, thepany would be eaten alive, and bankruptcy was practically guaranteed.


    "Mr. Shaw, you need to act now."


    Zacharias'' eyes stayed glued to the flood of headlines screaming across the screen. His jaw clenched tight as he forced out a single name.


    "Jonathan Fullbuster!"


    Melody had only been arrested two hours ago, yet the news had already exploded everywhere.


    There were high-definition videos of her arrest circting online, and the trending searches were filled with outrage.


    If this wasn''t Jonathan''s doing, then coincidence didn''t exist.


    He wasn''t an idiot.


    It all made sense. The day Jonathan brought up Roretha in that private room, he had already been digging a trap.


    Zacharias had been reckless. He''d trusted his mother, convinced she''d never hide something this big. With hispany falling apart, he''d been too distracted to notice the storm building around him.


    But Jonathan''s revenge was merciless.


    All he''d done was tell Anneliese''s grandmother that Jonathan and Anneliese were together.


    And this was the payback-Jonathan had crushed his entire family.


    Jonathan Fullbuster!


    The name ripped through his thoughts. His rage surged until a stabbing pain hit his chest.


    Blood filled his mouth and spilled out in a sharp burst.


    Inside The Banyans, Jonathan plucked the phone right out of Anneliese''s hand.


    She stared at him, startled, as he murmured a few smooth, mocking words into the receiver before casually blocking the number.


    Before hanging up, he pulled her against him and brushed his lips along the sensitive skin behind her ear, biting down gently.


    Her breath hitched, the sound soft and quick. When he tossed the phone aside, she tapped a finger against his face and teased, "You just made him lose his mind. You shouldn''t be sulking anymore."


    Jonathan leaned in, his voice low and rough. "I''m still in a terrible mood. What do you think I should do about it?"


    Anneliese knew exactly what he was up to. He was being his usual smug, sulky self. She grabbed Jonathan by the cor of his pajama top and yanked him down to her level.


    Hisshes flicked, his lips curved, and his head tilted slightly, ready for the kiss she was about to give.


    But instead of kissing his lips, she caught his throat between hers.


    Jonathan froze for a heartbeat. Then his pulse surged, his breath hitched, and heat spread fast through him. The muscles in his neck tightened as her tongue brushed over him. That was all it took for his restraint to break. He flipped her onto her back and pinned her to the bed, his self-control gone.


    Anneliese melted under his touch. She clung to him, lost in the heat of it, but the moment wasn''t meant tost.


    Her phone started ringing again. The first time, neither of them moved.


    The second time, she faltered and turned her head slightly, wondering if it might be important.


    Before she could check, Jonathan frowned at her distraction, reached over, and flipped the glowing screen face down.


    At the same time, his hand slid lower, and her breath hitched, her eyes clouding


    over.


    Then, suddenly, the phone rang again, louder, sharper.


    And this time, his own phone started ringing too.


    Anneliese''s breathing quickened.


    Worry flickered across her face. She pushed lightly at his chest and


    gasped, "Answer What i its


    urgent?


    Jonathan''s jaw tightened. He was starting to think he''d never look at a phone the


    same way again.


    Anneliese had already rolled over and grabbed hers.


    Jessica''s name shed on the screen.


    She swiped to answer. At that exact moment, Jonathan lowered his head and bit the


    soft skin of her shoulder.


    A startled sound escaped her.


    "Annie, you—"


    Anneliese''s gasp collided with Jessica''s voice on the line.


    Jessica froze. Then she blurted out, "Oh my god, did I just interrupt something really shouldn''t have Did just destroy a perfectly intimate moment?"


    Anneliese''s face flushed deep red. She red at Jonathan.


    But Jonathan just said coolly, "Good. Now you know. Don''t call in the mornings


    again."


    Anneliese stared at him.


    Jessica fell silent, stunned.


    His smugness was almost unbearable.


    Anneliese kicked him lightly. Only then did he grab his still-ringing phone and slide


    off the bed.