The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

"Why would you want me to keep an eye on Annalise?" the voice on the other end asked, sounding confused. "You don't need to know why," Jessica replied, her gaze drifting to the balance in her mobile banking app.

She almost forgot how much money she had now. If she was willing to pay, she could make anything happen, couldn't she?

"Just let me know when she's alone," Jessica instructed. "Then your job will be done."

The person was curious but chose not to push further. "Got it."

...

Steven jolted awake to the sound of his phone ringing. Since he'd figured out what the psychiatrist was trying to tell him, he'd wanted to talk to Annalise but never found the right moment. Assuming it was Zane, he quickly sat up and picked up the call. "Hello?"

"Didn't you ask me to dig into Zane's first love?"

"Oh?" Steven immediately felt disappointed when he realized it wasn't Zane, but the mention of his first love sparked his interest.

"I've found something really important," the voice on the other end said, sounding smug.

Steven wasn't in the mood for vague teasers. "Just tell me already!"

The person wasted no time. "Word is, the woman Zane has feelings for is someone from his middle school days. She was smart and always at the top of her school.

"Back then, Zane wasn't really focused on his studies because he was too busy with his side hustles. But he was pretty arrogant, thinking he should always be the top student.

"He felt disappointed when he failed

to outshine her, even after pouring all his leftover energy into his studies, especially because everyone called her a 'bookworm.' If she's just a bookworm, then what does that make everyone else who can't surpass her?

"Zane wasn't having it, so he asked her how she managed to get such good grades. She said it was simple and even taught him her methods Later, he found out she was studying to build a reputation so those wealthy classmates would

notice her and hire her aKould

tutor."

Steven was amused. "So, that's how Zane ended up interested in her?"

"Yeah, pretty much," the informant responded.

To Steven, that seemed more like a sign that Zane might've had a crush on her, but it didn't necessarily mean he was in love with her.

"So, what happened after that?" he asked.

"I haven't found that part out yet," the caller said.

"That's fine for now," Steven said, sounding content. "Keep looking into it. If you come across something that really impresses me, I'll make sure you're well rewarded." The caller's voice brightened with enthusiasm. "I'll keep digging!"noveldrama

...

After breakfast, Zane and I took

Willow to school together. This time, things were a little different. I had to head to the printing factory later, so we took two cars, with the driver following behind.

Once we arrived, we watched Willow and her friend walk hand in hand into the kindergarten. Afterward, I climbed into the driver's car and said, "Let's go."