Built His Empire Then Watched It Burn When He Cheated novel Chapter 737

"I didn't hear you clearly just now. Say it again."

Anneliese glared at him and poked his chest with her finger. "Don't cross the line, Jonathan. Constantly taking without giving isn't a virtue. Courtesy calls for…"

"I love you too." Before Anneliese could finish speaking, Jonathan cut in. His voice was low and gentle.

He said it so cleanly and naturally, and Anneliese was still prepared to spar with him for a while longer—yet he simply said it out loud like that.

In that split second, she froze. Fingertip against his chest, she could almost feel the rhythm of his heartbeat—steady and powerful, with just a hint of speed.

That pulse traveled through her fingertip and connected to her own heart, which was beating even faster, sending waves of electric current through her body.

She stood there dazed for several seconds before breaking into a foolish grin. Grabbing the man by the collar, she said, "I didn't hear clearly just now either. Say it again."

As Jonathan looked at her flushed cheeks and bright eyes, he lifted her directly onto his shoulder and strode toward the bed, his voice carrying an unconcealed ease and pleasure.

"Baby, no rush." After all, he had plenty of time to discuss this matter with her.

…

The next day, Anneliese woke up late again as expected.

When she opened her eyes, Jonathan was already gone from the bed.

Remembering that she had made plans with Wendy to go early and pick up Ellie, she quickly reached for her phone to check the time.

The moment she saw it, she jolted upright.

She was late. Not just a little late—she was more than an hour late.

Standing up to a child, especially one as lovable as Ellie, made Anneliese want to scold a certain someone.

As if by telepathy, Jonathan's call came through at that exact moment. Anneliese hugged the blanket and sat up as she answered it.

Before she could accuse him of his crimes, his voice had already sounded.

What a jealous man! Anneliese was convinced he did it on purpose.

Then, she huffed and hung up the phone.

Since she no longer needed to go pick up Ellie, Anneliese relaxed. She soaked in the bath for a while before heading downstairs.

Just as she came down, the sound of a car pulling up could be heard outside. Then, she hurried out to greet them.

Initially, she felt a little awkward facing Steven. However, Steven only placed Ellie down and nodded politely toward her from a distance.

"Thank you for the trouble," he said before getting back into the car.

Ellie, carrying a cartoon backpack, ran toward Anneliese. Anneliese quickly lifted her. By the time she picked Ellie up, Steven's car had already turned the corner and driven away.

Inside the car, Steven stared into the rearview mirror at Anneliese holding Ellie, the two of them pressing their foreheads together and smiling. He didn't look away for a long time.

Seeing his reaction, the driver slowed the car and couldn't help saying, "Ms. Claude and Ms. Ellie really get along well. Why didn't you thank her in person, Mr. Malone?"

The driver had been serving Steven for many years and knew Ellie's situation very well. Steven had a hard time raising his daughter alone, so seeing how harmonious Ellie and Anneliese were, as well as recalling some unverified rumors he had heard earlier, the driver spoke a bit more.