Before the challenge match, she had gotten into a public dispute with Gianna


    outside the stadium. There had been plenty of reporters present at the time, and Pepper had been standing beside Gianna the entire time. If it was reported online, there had to be photos of her.


    Anneliese searched online, but the results disappointed her.


    There were no reports at all about her conflict with Gianna, and she knew that Adrian must be the one who suppressed the news.


    It had to be said that Adrian was clearly very experienced at cleaning up Gianna''s messes. Such an ugly scandal hadn''t caused any stir online at all.


    No wonder Gianna dared to keep stirring up trouble-someone was always there to back her up.


    Seeing Anneliese was deep in thought with a frown, Jonathan asked, "What''s wrong?"


    "It''s nothing." Annelise shook her head. "It''s hard to find online. I''ll check Madam Chalmont''s WhatsApp." As she spoke, she opened Wendy''s WhatsApp moments.


    Wendy didn''t post often, so there weren''t many photos. It didn''t take long before Anneliese found one photo with Pepper in the background. It seemed to have been taken at Ellie''s birthday.


    Then, she saved the photo and immediately sent it to Jessica.


    ''Jessica, take a look at it. Is Mrs. Shayman the woman in the blue dress who came to your hospital room?''


    Jessica might not have had her phone nearby since Anneliese waited for a long time without receiving a reply. Just as she was about to call, Jonathan reached over and took the phone from her hand.


    Anneliese looked up in surprise, but Jonathan tossed the phone aside and grabbed her chin as he leaned in.


    "Honey, don''t you think you''ve been ignoring me for far too long?"


    Hearing his words, Anneliese blinked and wondered if she had. However, when she met his gaze, which was clearly filled with dissatisfaction, her heart softened. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the lips.


    She realized that Jonathan was bing frighteningly good at getting under her skin.


    Before the kiss could end, the phone that was being tossed aside rang.


    Still lost in the moment, Anneliese opened her eyes almost immediately and pushed Jonathan away as she tried to reach for the phone.


    However, there was no way


    Jonathan would let her do so. He felt that his charm had just suffered an unprecedented challenge. Thus, not only did he refuse to release her, but he gripped her waist and pulled her straight onto hisp, catching her retreating lips.


    Anneliese whimpered softly as she couldn''t quite take the intensity. She looked at him pitifully and tugged lightly at the cor of his pajama, signaling that she had something to say.


    Jonathan''s gaze was dark as he stared at her for a moment before finally easing back a little.


    Anneliese leaned close to his ear and pleaded softly, "Husband, I love you. Please let me go..."


    Her voice was sweet and soft,


    ?


    breathy as it brushed against his ear, like a spark of fire. In an instant, something shapped in donathan, Teaving his entire body numb and his reactions slowed.


    By the time he came back to his senses, Anneliese had already slipped off hisp, picked up her phone from the bed, and run toward the balcony to answer Jessica''s call. Before closing the ss doon she even turned back and win winked at


    Jonathan, who was still sitting dazedly at the edge of the bed.


    After the balcony door closed, Jonathan''s gaze remained fixed on her silhouette outside. He lifted a hand and rubbed his ear as the corners of his lips curved into a smile.


    On the balcony, Anneliese answered the call and immediately asked, "Did you look at the photo I sent you?"


    "I did. The woman in the blue dress is indeed Mrs. Shayman. What''s wrong?"


    Hearing Jessica''s reply, Anneliese knew her suspicion was confirmed. She clenched her phone as anger shed across her face.


    "Annie?" Jessica heard her breathing grow rapid and asked in confusion.


    "Jessica, we''ve been ying."


    "What do you mean?"


    "The woman you met isn''t the real Mrs. Shayman at all. She is not Zane''s mother." Annelieseid it bare.


    Jessica had clearly never considered this possibility. She was stunned, confused, and didn''t know how to react.