The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Darren nodded. "You're right. Huxham Corporation is probably our main suspect. Annalise went through a lot while working with you. Mr. Huxham doesn't just look after his own. He's the type to hold a grudge.

"He's been buried in work lately. But now that things are settling down, he's definitely going to come after us."

He locked eyes with Steven. "So, Mr. Pelham, what's our next move?"

Steven's face hardened. "I'll go talk to him."

Darren could tell this wasn't an easy choice for Steven. He replied, "Alright."

...

When Steven arrived at Huxham Corporation, everyone was deep into a meeting. He waited alone in the lounge for a long while before Eric finally came to get him.

Steven opened the door to the conference room and found Zane, his face unreadable. After a moment's hesitation, he said, "Pelham Group's been targeted. We think you're behind it."

Zane's voice remained as steady as ever. "I've been too wrapped up in work to pay attention to anything else until now."

Steven frowned. "So it wasn't you?"

Zane gave him a pointed look. "If it were me, I wouldn't be going this far out of my way, would I?"

Steven didn't reply. Zane continued, "All I have to do is cut ties with you, and a whole bunch of people will gladly drop their connections with you just to stay in my good graces."

Steven thought Zane seemed sincere. His tone turned serious as he said, "If it wasn't you, then who did that?"

"I don't know. That's for you to figure out," Zane said flatly.

Although Zane hadn't made a move against Steven yet, that didn't mean he was about to offer any help now that Steven was in trouble.

Steven's expression went cold as stone, and he fell silent.

Gary sat in the living room. Since reaching out to his contacts, each one had wasted no time in cutting ties with Steven. One by one, they'd called to report back, and with each update, Gary's smile grew wider.

Julia noticed and quickly grabbed a glass of water, placing it before him.

"What's going on?" she asked.

Gary's voice was delightful as he replied, "They've all done exactly what I asked. Pelham Group is built on a weak foundation. A little pressure, and it's done. It won't take much."

Julia's mood immediately lifted. "So, if his company really goes under, how long

do you think Jessica will stick around him?"

Gary paused for a moment, thinking

it over before answering. "I don't think it'll be more than a few days. She might've stayed with Casper when he didn't have much, but this situation's different."

Julia was confused. "Why would she stick with Casper when he was broke but not with Steven?"noveldrama

"It's a lot harder to go from living in luxury to facing hardship," Gary said. "When she divorced Casper, she had nothing left. Yet, she still decided to take Cody along.

"That shows how much she cares for him. Even if she could handle a tough life on her own, what about Cody?"

Julia hadn't thought about it that way. She said, "That makes sense."

"Jessica would be a philanthropist if she used the money Steven gave her on him, but I doubt she'll do that," Gary said.