Chapter 762
Anneliese did have feelings. She could feel wronged, angry, and upset.
She kept herself together because they were still at his grandparents’ house, and Ellie was with them. She didn’t want to show how she really felt, since it might disturb Grandma’s rest or upset the child.
“So, when are you picking your daughter up? My wife’s already in a bad mood today. Don’t ruin my plans to cheer her up p>
Jonathan’s voice instantly turned colder, the impatience obvious.
Steven heard it clearly. After all that had happened, he knew he had no right to keep asking Anneliese to look after Ellie.
“I’ll have my secretary pick Ellie up shortly. Once this matter is fully investigated, I’ll host dinner for you and your wife and apologize in person p>
When Steven mentioned the investigation, Jonathan raised an eyebrow.
“Who do you think did it p>
When Steven first heard the wild rumor, he immediately thought it came from one of his political rivals.
First, taint my personal reputation. Then use it to bring down the entire Malone family.
But after he calmed down, something didn’t seem right.
After all, Anneliese is Jonathan’s wife, not Ellie’s mother. The rumor doesn’t hold up to even a little scrutiny.
It could also offend both the Fullbuster and Malone families in the process.
What kind of foolish political rival would risk provoking two powerful families over such a weak rumor? The risk just isn’t worth it.
“The person spreading these rumors seems to be targeting your wife,” Steven said, his voice turning playful. “Jonathan, maybe you should consider if you left any old entanglements behind somewhere p>
He couldn’t help teasing Jonathan after all the obvious displays of affection earlier. Jonathan scoffed again.
“My wife and I are solid. There are no old entanglements—never have been, never will be. But recently, someone has clearly been hostile toward her. You know who I’m referring to p>
The person he meant was naturally Gianna.
Even before Anneliese won the championship, Gianna had been targeting her.
After Anneliese shocked everyone in the Logistics Algorithm Challenge and Gianna became the subject of ridicule in the final round, her resentment only deepened.
Leaving the restaurant in tears that day, she likely added yet another grudge against Anneliese. Not long after Wendy and Steven brought Ellie to Anneliese, the rumors suddenly began to spread
The timing was too perfect to be a coincidence.
Jonathan had already started an investigation in that direction. Bringing it up now was his way of warning Steven that if Gianna was really involved, he wouldn’t go easy on her.
After a short pause, Steven answered seriously, “I know. Whoever it is, I won’t tolerate it either p>
This isn’t just about Anneliese. It also affects my daughter and me.
Whoever orchestrated this is clearly malicious.
After he hung up, Steven called his secretary in and gave two orders.
First, pick up Ellie.
Second, look into all of Gianna’s recent calls, movements, and bank transactions.
Once the secretary left, Steven noticed several missed calls from Adrian and returned one.
Adrian picked up right away. “You heard about the rumors, right p>
Instead of answering, Steven asked in a cold voice, “You called Mrs. Fullbuster, didn’t you? Bold move, Dad. Really bold p>
Fortunately, Anneliese has a good temperament, and she and Jonathan trust each other completely.
And fortunately, Jonathan is the kind of person who can separate right from wrong and still understand his friends.
Otherwise, I don’t even want to imagine what the consequences would be.
“What do you mean, bold move?” Adrian snapped angrily. “I did it because I care about you! Something like this happens, I can’t get through to you — so what’s wrong with reaching out to the other person involved? Besides, I’m your father, not the other way around. I don’t need you telling me how to conduct myself!” Listening to the anger in his father’s voice, Steven frowned.
“Ellie’s condition has only just started to get better. She still needs Mrs. Fullbusters help And before you even understood the situation you called to question her just because of some rumors p>