The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Even if someone were already taken and had made it clear to Jessica that he wasn't interested, she'd still make advances. Casper forced a bitter smile. Ironically, he was always the one who made the first move in his relationship with Jessica.

He took a deep breath and sent a message. "Do you know why I haven't been with anyone else?"

"Oh?" Jessica's response came instantly.

"I'm surrounded by all sorts of women-smart, pure, stunning, delicate. But even after meeting so many, I've never felt the urge to fall in love, not even with you." Casper typed out his words carefully. Jessica felt a sharp pain in her chest as she read the message. What was it that Annalise had that she didn't?

Casper continued, "But when I'm with Anna, I feel like spending my life with her would bring me happiness."

Every word he typed was infused with his deep affection for Annalise.

Jessica quickly understood that asking more questions wouldn't get her anywhere. She turned off her phone and stopped texting Zane.

She couldn't understand why the men interested in her never seemed to measure up. The ones with any real potential always ended up falling for Annalise. What was it about Annalise that she was lacking?

Chloe had tried to use Rowena to her advantage, but Rowena had turned the situation on her head.

The internet was buzzing with news about Chloe, and everyone was tearing her apart. She seethed with rage and exhaled sharply in frustration.

She couldn't get back at Rowena or win against Annalise in an argument. They weren't the right people to take revenge on, but there was still one easy target she could go after-Zachary.

He was just a clueless five-year-old. If Chloe took out her frustration on him, he'd have no choice but to accept it. That idea brought her a twisted sense of relief.

She ordered her driver to take her to Zachary's place and arrived right when he returned home.

"Stop there, Zachary!" Chloe shouted.noveldrama

Zachary turned around and looked at her. "Do you need something, Grandma?"

"Since when do I need a reason to see you?" Chloe retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You're still in kindergarten, yet you're already acting above everyone else."

Zachary could tell she was trying to start something, but he couldn't care less. She had burned all her bridges with him, and it was clear she wasn't looking for peace, so there was no point in being polite.

Portia heard the knock at the door and quickly went to open it.

Chloe's expression darkened further. "What's wrong with you, Zachary? Now you can't even be bothered to answer when I speak?"

Zachary looked at her with a blank stare from the doorway. "If you're talking to me in a normal way, I'm all for it. But have you taken a look at yourself? You're clearly here to start trouble, aren't you?"

"Oh? So I'm the one starting trouble?" Chloe shot back, her anger rising. "Maybe you should think about whether your attitude"

"Chloe!" Portia interrupted her. The

more she listened, the more she could tell something was off with Chloe. "Did you get pushed around somewhere else, and now you're trying to take it out on Zachary? You've got some nerve!"

Chloe didn't notice Portia until now. She had no intention of responding to her question. Instead, she scowled at Zachary. "When did you bring this old hag here?" "She's not an old hag. She's my grandma," Zachary replied calmly.

Chloe raised her voice. "I've told you before-her whole family are nothing but leeches. Once they get a hold of us, they'll never let go! And you—"

"Grandma Chloe, have you forgotten?" Zachary cut her off, his expression unfazed. "You and I aren't family anymore."