Built His Empire Then Watched It Burn When He Cheated novel Chapter 549

**TITLE: Created 549**
**Chapter 549: A Pointless Overreaction**

The silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating. Anneliese found herself at a loss for words, sitting there with her thoughts tangled and her heart racing. She was like a coiled spring, holding everything in, her body tense with unspoken emotions.

“Annie, I’m fine. Really. Please don’t argue with Mr. Fullbuster because of me. If he finds out, so be it. It’s really not a big deal…” Jonathan’s voice came through the phone, calm yet tinged with concern, but it did little to ease the storm brewing inside her.

Jessica, witnessing the unexpected confrontation, was clearly taken aback by Anneliese’s sudden outburst. She caught snippets of Jonathan’s attempts at reasoning, each word a reminder that the entire situation revolved around her. With a gentle tug on Anneliese’s sleeve, Jessica’s voice emerged, soft and anxious, “Annie, are you okay?”

That small gesture felt like a lifeline, pulling Anneliese from the depths of her turmoil. She inhaled deeply, the air trembling in her lungs, and closed her eyes, trying to gather her scattered thoughts.

As Jessica’s gasp echoed in the room, Anneliese felt a wave of panic. “Annie, are you okay?” Jessica’s worry was palpable, and it cut through Anneliese like a knife.

Jonathan, on the other end, caught that gasp, and she could hear the shift in his tone. The calmness he had maintained slipped away, replaced by urgency. “Honey, I’m sorry. Whatever happened, it’s my fault. Please don’t be upset. Let’s not fight, alright?”

Anneliese could even picture him, probably jumping to his feet, the chair scraping harshly against the floor, a sound that made her heart race even faster. “I’m coming back to Oceaton right now. Whatever it is, we can talk in person,” he declared, his voice filled with determination.

Tears began to spill over, hot and unwelcome, tracing paths down her cheeks before she even realized they were falling. The sting of them was sharp, a reminder of the weight she carried.

Fighting through the constriction in her throat, she turned her head away, hastily wiping at her cheeks. She took a moment, willing herself to regain composure before finally speaking, her voice trembling but steady. “No. Stay with your family. I just… I’ve been overly sensitive these past few days. I’m probably about to get my period, and the whole kidnapping incident still has me on edge. Don’t worry about it. And I owe you an apology too. I shouldn’t have said what I said.”

Just yesterday, at the Fullbuster estate, Anneliese had overheard the staff discussing the annual family remembrance ceremony. It was a grand affair, one that the Fullbusters held every New Year, and Jonathan, as the future heir, was never allowed to miss it. The thought of him being tied to such traditions weighed heavily on her mind.

Jonathan had come to a halt, his gaze drifting toward the tall windows, seemingly lost in thought as he stared into the distance, perhaps toward Oceaton, unaware of the turmoil within her.

“I’m not accepting your apology,” he stated firmly, breaking the silence.

“What?” Anneliese’s stomach plummeted at his words, her mind racing. She felt utterly unmoored.

Before she could regain her footing, he continued, “You scared me just now. The only thing I’m willing to accept is a kiss from you. Something to calm me down.”

Anneliese felt a flicker of guilt wash over her, though she couldn’t quite pinpoint why. The seriousness in his voice was unmistakable, and she nodded, forgetting he couldn’t see her. “Okay. But can you promise not to tell Zane that Jess is pregnant?”

At her words, Jonathan’s expression, which had finally softened, tightened once more.

“Anneliese, do I really need to set conditions just for you to reply to my messages? So, you were ignoring me on purpose?” His irritation was palpable, and she had to admit he was unnervingly perceptive.

“That’s not it! I was just exhausted yesterday. I took Jess to the hospital this morning; I didn’t have time. I wasn’t trying to bargain with you. Did you already tell Zane?”

“No. I didn’t tell him anything. You asked me to keep it quiet, so I’m keeping it quiet,” he replied, his tone firm yet understanding.

If Jessica was already upset, pushing back against her would only complicate matters further. For her own peace of mind, Anneliese figured Zane could handle the news. After all, his girlfriend was pregnant, and she didn’t want him to know. It was a heavy burden, and if he couldn’t see the bigger picture and instead chose to get angry at others for not giving him a heads-up, then he had to do some serious self-reflection.

The way Jonathan agreed so quickly caught Anneliese off guard. She hadn’t expected him to relent so easily, and it made her realize just how unnecessary her earlier irritation and defensiveness had been. All the worry she had built up felt like a mountain of anxiety for nothing.