Chapter 552

"The wedding date hasn't even been decided yet. What's the hurry? There'll be plenty of opportunities in the future," Elizabeth said nonchalantly.

The women exchanged a knowing glance.

So, even now, Jonathan's wife still hadn't won Elizabeth's favor.

Right then, Elizabeth's phone buzzed. She checked the screen, saw it was her older brother, Edison Holf, and stood up.

"I need to take this call."

But before she could answer, her sister-in-law, Darlene Cooper, rushed in, visibly panicked.

"Elizabeth, what is happening? Edison said Jonathan personally ordered the Azure Bay project to be suspended-"

"Darlene! Not here. Let's talk outside."

Darlene was so rattled that she completely ignored the surroundings.

Once Elizabeth cut her off, she finally realized the circle of ladies subtly watching them.

She forced a stiff smile, grabbed Elizabeth's arm, and muttered as they stepped out. "Elizabeth, Edison called you nonstop, and you didn't respond. Call Jonathan now and ask what's going on. Maybe it's some misunderstanding!"

Her voice shook with anxiety. She thought she was whispering, but plenty of people heard.

It was obvious something serious had exploded for the Hoff family.

Elizabeth shot her a sharp look and answered the call. "Edison, what could be so urgent that you had to call today... What did you just say?"

Her irritation evaporated as her brother rushed through the explanation. Hearing that Jonathan halted the Hoff family's Azure Bay project and froze Cloudspire Gourmet's procurement, she was stunned.

Azure Bay project was a tens-of-billions project. Even a small percentage meant over a billion in profit for the Hoffs.

And Cloudspire Gourmet's supply contracts with AeroAir had been locked in for a decade.

Every staff meal and airline meal for AeroAir was provided exclusively by Cloudspire Gourmet.

Honestly, the Hoffs benefited immensely from this setup-pure profit from family connections.

They'd been relying on those two comfortable income streams to maintain their lifestyle. Losing both at once sent them into a tailspin.

"Elizabeth, what's wrong with Jonathan? Did something happen?"

Edison sounded desperate. Elizabeth's grip on her phone trembled.

She knew. He must have learned what she said to Anneliese yesterday.

Still, she never expected Jonathan to go this far over a single conversation. "Edison, calm down. I'll talk to him."

"Okay, please. Elizabeth, help us speak to Jonathan. He refuses to take my calls."

She hung up, her face drained of color. Forgetting the party with those ladies, she hurried out, Darlene right behind her.

...

Meanwhile, in Oceaton, Anneliese had no idea Jonathan already sensed the tension between her and Elizabeth.

She and Jessica returned to Maple Bay. After making sure Jessica took her folic acid, Anneliese told her to lie down and relax.

Jessica curled up obediently to rest

for the baby and scrolled through

her phone. Anneliese suddenly

remembered her promise to

Jonathan in the car to

his calls and messages on

swer both

WhatsApp.

She opened the chat and slid upward.

That was when she saw it. At exactly midnight, he sent a New Year's greeting.

Along with it, he transferred her 8.88 million as a New Year's gift with the note: 'Year after year, from dusk until dawn.'

Anneliese froze, warmth tightening in her chest.

She stared for several seconds, typing then deleting, unsure what to say.

Eventually, she sent him an old meme she had saved long ago.

It had three lines: 'Happy wife, happy life. Devotion sows its lasting Honor your lady all your days and fortune will shine on your ways.

The message was delivered. But no reply came. She didn't know whether he'd seen

it.

A bit discouraged, she raked her fingers through her hair and locked her phone.

When she glanced up, Jessica was watching baby videos.

A big-eyed infant in yellow cartoon pajamas, a gleaming bubble of drool on his lip, wiggling happily at the camera.

Jessica smiled unconsciously, one hand resting on her stomach.

Anneliese lifted her phone and took a photo of her. Jessica blinked, snapping back.

"Look at you. You're already glowing like a mom."

She passed her the phone.

Jessica stared, stunned. It looked like her-but also didn't.

The version of herself she knew always carried a hint of sharpness. But in the photo, she sat against the headboard with soft crescent eyes, her expression lit from within Her frontis within mer features had smoothed into gentleness, her smile light as spring sunshine. Every part of her looked calm, warm, and peaceful.