The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Technically, Jessica should be asleep by now. However, she was full of energy, chatting lively with Zane.

The irony? Zane's account was being operated by none other than Casper himself.

Jessica had been scheming right under his nose, trying to sow discord between Zane and Annalise.

Judging from the stark contrast in how Jessica treated him versus Zane, Casper effortlessly saw through her true nature.

Casper turned off the screen. He had to admit that Jessica was smart and could play the long game.

Even though he was now broke, Jessica tried to engage with him.

For a while, Casper had naively believed that her willingness to stay in touch stemmed from love and that she couldn't let him go. Perhaps, their relationship was more important than money. Casper scoffed as a wave of pain swept over him.

But the truth was clear...

Jessica's willingness to engage with Casper wasn't about love or attachment. It was a calculated effort to keep the man who loved her most tethered with minimal effort.

If he made it big again, she'd have an easy way back into his life.

Casper felt the urge to vent his frustration but restrained himself, responding calmly, "Aren't you also still in touch with me?"

His sacrifices, his love, were utterly worthless to Jessica.

Jessica explained, "I'm in touch because we're both in the same situation."

"I don't think so," Casper replied in an attempt to provoke her.

More importantly, Casper interacted with Annalise once, in a situation that could only be described as

perilous for her.

Drugged and defenseless, her body was weak and limp, and she had no strength to resist. Yet she had

managed to find a way to escape danger.

That alone showed Annalise was sharp, resilient, and unwilling to rely on anyone.

Casper could also see that Annalise had completely given up on Steven after what happened.

Jessica continued her tirade, "Maybe Annalise and Steven still have

feelings for each other. Who knows? They might even be secretly in touch without you realizing it. Otherwise, how could someone as busy as Steven find time to show up at your company every day to see Annalise?"

Her words were dripped with malice, an attempt to smear Annalise's reputation. Casper couldn't put into words how he felt.

Jessica had snatched Steven from Annalise, yet it seemed that wasn't enough. Now, she wanted to take Annalise's current boyfriend. noveldrama

If she succeeded, then what? If Annalise found another partner, would Jessica try to snatch him as well? There were so many outstanding men in the world. Why was Jessica so fixated on taking Annalise's? "Saying things like that only makes you seem petty and despicable," he replied to her.

Without waiting for her response, Casper exited the app, refusing to read whatever Jessica might say next.

...

Jessica stared at Zane's reply that defended Annalise.

Her suspicion was confirmed the texter had to be Zane. Only he would believe in Annalise unconditionally.

Finally, Jessica let out a breath of relief. She'd been worried that someone else might be using his account.

However, her moment of happiness was fleeting, quickly replaced by frustration.

She had only been trying to warn Zane, yet he didn't believe her.

What an idiot!