Chapter 12

The video was recorded a few days before Sophia's birthday. Zachery had asked Anne the best proposal spot in Windleton, and she thought he was about to propose to her.

She loved the rooftop café in Stardust Grand Hotel, which often hosted various parties and celebrations.

Anne made a point to stop by after work to record a video for Zachery. She happened to bump into Sophia having coffee with her friends. As such, Sophia ended up in the shot.

Sophia taunted, "I've just heard you asking the manager if they can host a proposal party here. Is Zachery proposing to you or otherwise? How about we make a bet? My birthday is in a few days. Let's see if Zachery is going to propose to you or me."

Anne found her provocation funny. It was impossible for Zachery to be proposing to another woman when he had already asked her—his girlfriend—about the venue. It would be too far a ridiculous insult if that were the case.

She ignored Sophia and continued to record the distant scenery. With the starry sky above them and the glimmering lights shining from afar, it would be romantic to be able to glance down at their loved ones at once.

Sophia then barged into the shot and gave the ridiculous speech from earlier.

It turned out that her confidence wasn't misplaced—it was Anne's arrogance that was laughable.

She took her phone back and glanced at Zachery.

He was staring intently at the table, as if the phone was still there, playing the video from earlier. He wouldn't have thought that Sophia would liken him to a car.

"I'm already saving your dignity by just uploading a photo instead of this video. Don't push it, I'm warning you," Anne coldly said.

Zachery stood frozen in place until Caesar went to pat him on the shoulders. "You should just clear things up for Anne, Zach. Everything will be over then."

Zachery looked up and gave Anne a cold glance before leaning back against the couch. He chuckled after a moment. "You actually thought I was planning to propose to you?"

She looked at his mocking expression and said nothing.

"Where did your unfounded confidence come from?" He looked at her and continued, "I've always thought you were quite down-to-earth, but it turns out you're so foolish. You even dreamed of marrying me and becoming Mrs. Judd?"

Anne shook her head and replied, "Back then, I wanted to marry you because I loved you."

"Hah! Do you think anyone would believe this if you told people about it?" Zachery asked.

"I thought you'd believe it," Anne said.

Zachery grabbed a bottle of wine, ripped off the cork with force, and downed a few large gulps. A rush of complicated emotions surged within him when he glanced at her again. But he could only suppress them when he saw how calm she was.

"Delete that video," he said.

Anne took a deep breath before sitting down on the couch. "Alright, but I need you to clear things for me and guarantee that the hospital won't suspend me."

Zachery replied, "I can guarantee you won't be suspended, but I can't clear things for you."

"Then, there's nothing to talk about. Although my account was locked, I could still register a new one or use a friend's. Actually, someone even suggested that I send it directly to the paparazzi," Anne said.

Zachery grabbed the wine bottle and took another swig. "You could actually try negotiating with me."

"I don't need to," she replied.

"What about your parents' house? Don't you want it anymore?" he asked.

Anne's expression froze upon hearing his words. He had admitted that her parents' house was in his hands.

"Back then, you had a falling out with your family and could only stay at my place. You said you wanted to start your own business to earn your family's respect, so I sold off my parents' house to raise one million dollars for you," she said.

Zachery nodded. "That's why I've bought that house back. I was planning to give it back to you."

"Then, why have you kept it from me all these years?" Anne asked.

"Why, you asked?" Zachery thought for a bit before continuing, "There's no particular reason. It's either I forgot or I didn't feel like it."

"Zachery!"

"Now that we've broken up, there has to be a price to pay if you want to take that house from me without giving back anything in return. I only have this one small request. Delete that video, stop defending yourself online, and let the public opinion die down naturally."

Anne couldn't help but laugh bitterly. She had once traded her parents' house like a weapon to help him build his future. But after his career was established, the same weapon was used to turn against her.

And because it came from someone who had been by her side for eight years, it hurt even more.

Anne turned on her phone and deleted the video in front of Zachery. She then took out the one-million-dollar check Sophia had given her earlier, pushing it toward him.

However, he pushed it back. "I can't give you the house yet for now."

Anne started, "You promised to—"

"I did promise to give it to you, but how can I make sure you won't start spreading nonsense once you get the house?" Zachery said.

Anne asked, "When can I get it, then?"

Zachery replied, "Just wait until the day Sophia and I get married—it'll be my gift to you."

Anne chuckled humorlessly. "How gracious of you to give it to me as a gift!"

"You're welcome."

"When are you getting married, then? Is the date set?" Anne asked.

Zachery nodded. "My family's been rushing me, so it'll be in a month—on September 6th. "

"Alright. I'll wait till then," Anne replied.

She then grabbed a bottle of white wine and uncorked it before leaning down to clink her bottle with Zachery's. "Congratulations."

She then took a few huge swigs before walking out with the bottle.

Caesar hurriedly followed after her when he saw that something was off.

She did not leave the bar. Instead, she sat down by the bar table.

"Go check on Zach, Jul. I'll stay with Anne," Caesar told Julius.

Julius had been busy, yet he still went over to Zachery's private room.

Caesar sat beside Anne and asked the bartender to get him a glass.

"Share some with me, Anne." He pushed his glass over to her.

Anne turned to smile at Caesar. "I want to get drunk tonight."

"Huh?"

"My heart hurts so much—" She was hurt by her own deep affection from the past.

Caesar pursed his lips and took his glass back. He then asked the server for a bottle of white wine.

"Let's drink together." He clinked his own bottle with Anne's and said, "I wish you happiness after your breakup, Anne."

"Thank you. I will be happy," she replied.

…

By the time Julius helped a wasted Zachery out of the private room, he noticed Anne was staggering out. He hurriedly went over to help her before glancing over to Caesar, who was passed out on the bar table. Troubled, he could only send the three of them home separately.

"By the way, where have you moved to now, Anne?" Julius asked.

Anne replied, "The Oceanwind Villas."

"Huh? Are you still staying at Zachery's place?" Julius asked.

Anne shook her head and pushed him away, walking out on her own.

"You're drunk. Let me send you back!" Julius hurriedly ran after her.

Anne replied, "No need! Someone's coming to pick me up."

She sobered up slightly under the cold breeze.

Walter was already out of the car, opening the door for her.

Just as Anne was about to get into the car, Julius stopped her. "Are you really getting into a stranger's car?"

"He's not a stranger. He's Mr. Elman!" she replied.

Walter quickly took out his phone and showed the text Anne had sent him half an hour ago.

Julius no longer tried to stop her after confirming that she had indeed sent the text. He assumed she had called for Uber, but he was surprised to find that it was a Bentley.

…

Anne rubbed her stomach in discomfort in the car. She had had too much to drink.

At that moment, Walter handed her a steaming mug of ginger tea. "Mr. Stone had asked me to get some for you, Ms. Stafford. He said it could help relieve stomach discomfort from drinking."

Anne took two mouthfuls and immediately felt much better. Perhaps the alcohol had worn off a little, for she suddenly recalled something.

Half an hour ago, not only did she send Walter a message asking him to come pick her up, but she even sent one to Harvey.

Her text read, "Let's get married on September 6th."