Built His Empire Then Watched It Burn When He Cheated novel Chapter 554

**Title: Created 554**
**Chapter 554: Unexpected Arrival**

Nishay’s instincts began to prick at her consciousness, a nagging suspicion that Anneliese was concealing something significant—perhaps even something as complicated as a marriage. The thought gnawed at her, unsettling in its implications.

Meanwhile, Anneliese remained blissfully unaware of the turmoil brewing in Nishay’s mind, her attention focused elsewhere.

Later that evening, she found herself perched on the edge of her bed, the glow of her laptop illuminating her face as she balanced it on her crossed legs. Her fingers flew across the keyboard, moving with a precision that resembled an orchestra conductor guiding a symphony of drones, each keystroke a command to launch ideas into the ether.

Suddenly, the shrill ring of her phone broke through her concentration, sending a jolt of surprise through her.

Her gaze flicked to the screen, and time seemed to freeze. Her heart raced as she recognized the name.

It was Jonathan.

A strange twist of fate—he had previously instructed her to communicate only through WhatsApp, and after she had complied, he had vanished into silence. Now, out of the blue, he was calling, seemingly just to bid her goodnight.

A rush of nerves surged through her, quickly followed by a self-deprecating scoff.

Why was she reacting this way? It felt utterly ridiculous.

Taking a deep breath, she answered, her voice shaky. “It’s late, why are you—”

Before she could finish her thought, Jonathan’s calm, commanding voice sliced through the air like a knife.

“Come downstairs.”

“What?” She blinked, momentarily caught off guard, her mind racing to comprehend his words.

“I’m downstairs. Come on down.”

His insistence sent a ripple of suspicion coursing through her, intertwining with her earlier thoughts. Why had he returned so suddenly?

With a snap, she closed her laptop, swung her legs off the bed, and made her way to the window, peering out into the night.

The city was cloaked in darkness, the festive lights twinkling like stars against the inky backdrop, yet she couldn’t spot him anywhere below.

“Okay, I’ll be down shortly,” she finally replied, a mix of determination and confusion coloring her voice.

She quickly slipped on a jacket, the fabric brushing against her skin as she quietly opened her bedroom door. Meatloaf, her loyal dog, padded over, sensing her movement. Anneliese crouched down, affectionately rubbing his head.

“Shh, keep it down. Don’t wake Grandma or Jess. I’m just stepping out for a bit. Be a good boy and keep watch, alright?”

So he resorts to smoking when he’s stressed and overwhelmed. Clearly, tonight is no exception.

Did I contribute to this tension?

The thought twisted uncomfortably in Anneliese’s chest, and she instinctively tried to pull away, feeling the weight of his presence pressing down on her.

Jonathan, sensing her struggle, loosened his grip only to replace it with a warm, firm hand at the nape of her neck. Without hesitation, he leaned down and captured her lips with his own.

The kiss felt electric, a spark igniting between them that had long been dormant.

As their lips met, a soft, relieved sigh escaped him, and in that moment, everything else faded away. He pressed closer, parting her lips with his, intertwining their tongues in a dance that felt both familiar and exhilarating.

“Mmph… don’t…” she murmured, her voice barely audible.

“I have something to… Mm… let go…” he breathed against her, urgency lacing his words.

His face was chilled from the winter air, but his kiss burned with an intensity that sent her heart racing.

Anneliese felt as though she were caught in a whirlwind, teetering between fire and ice, her energy rapidly draining away. Their breaths mingled, her voice merging with his in a symphony of longing. His hands roamed her waist and neck, arching her back as she staggered two steps backward. He pinned her against the elevator wall, kissing her with a fervor that was both insistent and intoxicating.