Built His Empire Then Watched It Burn When He Cheated novel Chapter 747

Anneliese paused briefly, then continued, her tone almost thoughtful.

"Or maybe I'm just easy to be around. Kids can sense that. Ellie probably felt it and stuck close. Children have great instincts."

She tilted her head slightly. "You wouldn't know that feeling, would you?"

The jab landed cleanly.

The meaning was obvious: Elizabeth's heart was cold and sharp-edged. No child would ever choose her.

Elizabeth's face twisted with anger.

Even her own son had never been close to her.

Right now, he was openly standing with Anneliese—closing ranks, reaching for her hand the instant things turned ugly.

"Watch your mouth!" Elizabeth snapped.

Penelope lifted a hand toward Anneliese. "Anne, come here."

Anneliese crossed over, and Penelope drew her down beside her on the couch.

The elderly woman patted her hand gently. "I don't know which fool started spreading such nonsense, but anyone with a functioning brain wouldn't believe it. You were treated unfairly today."

Elizabeth had sounded confident earlier, but Anneliese had never doubted Jonathan. Their trust could handle this kind of storm.

She'd only worried, briefly, that the elders might waver.

Martha clearly had, but looking at Penelope now, Anneliese saw no hesitation at all.

She squeezed Penelope's hand and smiled. "Grandma, I'm really fine. Please don't get upset because of me."

Nearby, Martha rubbed the bridge of her nose, visibly uncomfortable. When Elizabeth first threw out the accusation, carried by momentum and outrage, Martha had actually believed it for a moment.

Now it felt ridiculous.

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