Built His Empire Then Watched It Burn When He Cheated novel Chapter 745

Anneliese met Elizabeth's gaze without flinching. Her voice stayed even, edged with quiet disdain.

"If you're going to smear someone," she said, "at least come up with a story that holds water."

Penelope snapped fully out of her shock. She shot to her feet, pointing at Elizabeth, her hand trembling with fury.

"Is there not a single day you can go without making trouble?" she demanded. "What kind of mother behaves like this?"

It felt as if Elizabeth were deliberately trying to curse her own son's marriage, as though she couldn't stand the idea of Jonathan having a peaceful life.

Derek's expression turned grim. "You've crossed the line."

The Malone family was no outsider. Their ties to military and aviation authorities ran deep, just as the Fullbusters' wealth was built on air transport. The two families had been intertwined for generations.

Steven and Jonathan were as close as brothers. As for Steven's daughter, Derek didn't know every detail, but he was certain of one thing.

It had nothing to do with Anneliese.

When Anneliese married into the family, Derek had personally reviewed her background from start to finish. There were no gaps. No stains. Nothing remotely resembling what Elizabeth was claiming.

This was madness.

Words like that would poison relationships that had taken decades to build.

Elizabeth lifted her chin, refusing to back down. "I didn't invent anything. It's all over our social circle. People came straight to me asking. She did something disgraceful and still parades the child around like a signboard. Even if I wanted to cover for her, I couldn't."

Anneliese's brows knit when she heard the words 'all over our social circle.'

She stepped forward, placing both hands gently over Ellie's ears.

Anger burned low and sharp in her chest. She stared at Elizabeth—so convinced, so eager to condemn—as she prepared to speak.

Before she could, a cold, familiar voice cut in from the entryway.

"What exactly has my wife done that you think needs covering up?"

Anneliese turned.

Jonathan stood there.

His eyes locked onto her immediately—steady, alert, laced with concern.

She offered him a small, reassuring smile.

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