No Remarriage for us Stay Away (Lenora and Zachary) novel Chapter 451

Chapter 451 Zachary Is The Best
“Hello, Zachary?”

Lenora was wondering how to break the news to Zachary when her phone rang. It was none other than Zachary.

“Have you eaten?”

“I've just finished,” Lenora said.

From the other end of the line, Zachary's deep and charismatic voice echoed, accompanied by the faint sound of keyboard strokes, indicating he was working overtime. “Nora, have you finished work? When will you be back?” he asked.

Just a few hours ago, Zachary had decided on the final version of his photos. The magazine publisher had already taken it for its layout design.

Lenora paused for a moment, tugged at the corner of her lips, and avoided the question. “Is Hattie still at the Fuller residence?”

Zachary stopped typing when he heard Lenora's obvious attempt to change topics. He had a hunch about what was coming. He pursed his lips and said, “I've brought her over. When is your flight? I'll pick you up... Don't tell me you're not coming back.”

Lenora knew there was no avoiding it. She sighed, resigning herself to speak candidly. “Recently, I must admit... I'm unable... to return...”

Her voice gradually faded away.

“What's wrong?” Zachary's voice grew serious in an instant.

“Someone approached me with an offer to photograph their new clothing line. If all goes well, I might be able to return by next weekend. If not...”

Lenora didn't finish her sentence, as she was certain Zachary knew what she was trying to convey.

Upon seeing Zachary remain silent, Lenora made her stance clear, her tone firm and confident. “Zachary, you promised me last time that I could work here. I've already accepted the offer from them...”

Hearing Lenora's cautious tone, Zachary felt helpless and retorted, “I haven't even said anything yet, how do you know that I disagree?”

“When you spoke in that tone...” Lenora pouted, then laughed and corrected herself. “Yes, yes, you're the best, Zack. I knew you would definitely understand. Don't worry, I'll finish my work as soon as possible and come back!”

Upon hearing her call him Zack, Zachary was struck by an epiphany.

This nickname hasn't been used in ages.

Just then, a child's innocent voice was heard in the background, gentle, obedient, and utterly endearing. “Uncle Zachary, are you on the phone with Aunt Lenora?”

“Mmm-hmm, would you like to come over and speak to her?”

“Of course!”

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds, then the child's voice suddenly grew louder. “Aunt Lenora! It's me, Hattie, I've missed you so much!”

After a long time apart from Harrietta, Lenora felt her heart warmed by her childlike babble. “Hattie,” she said, “I've missed you too. How was your trip with your great-grandma?”

Unaware of Zachary's circumstances, Harrietta thought it was just an ordinary trip. She excitedly shared her travel experiences with Lenora, recounting eloquently what she saw.

Halfway through, the quick-witted young girl suddenly asked, “Aunt Lenora, when will you be coming back?”

“Once I finish up my work here. It might take a week or two.”

“Huh?”

Harrietta gasped in disbelief, as if she was upset. “Why the delay? Uncle Zachary, didn't you say that Aunt Lenora would be back in a couple of days?”

Zachary explained, “That was the original plan, but she has taken on a new job.”

He hinted, “Your aunt's photography skills have gained a lot of recognition, so she often receives job offers.”

“So... does that mean she will always be busy with new jobs and won't be able to come back?” Harrietta instantly understood the implication in Zachary's words and expressed her sadness.

The conversation between uncle and niece was clearly heard by Lenora ears through the phone.

Under her breath, she cursed Zachary for giving her grief. Although he verbally agreed with her plan, he was still instigating Harrietta to make a fuss.

However, Lenora hadn't seen Harrietta for quite a while and was missing her. She reassured the latter, “Hattie, don't worry. As soon as I finished this shoot, I'll definitely come back. I'll bring a gift for you then, alright?”

Harrietta pouted. “Fine, Aunt Lenora, I'll be waiting for your return.”

The voice sounded somewhat familiar.

Zachary glanced toward the staircase, only to see Isla swiftly rounding the corner of the stairs.

Their gazes locked in that moment.

Ilia paused in her tracks, slowly descending the staircase. Feigning surprise, she said, “You?”

Rumor had it that Matthew had a sister who was married off to a foreign country. Recalling that Isla had once introduced herself, Zachary guessed her identity in an instant.

He gave a subtle nod, then turned his head away. Lifting his coffee, he began to savor it slowly.

Upon noticing his indifference toward her, Isla furrowed her brow in displeasure, a sense of frustration welling up within her.

Isn't he curious as to why I'm here?

His reaction was such that if she had taken the initiative to strike up a conversation, she would end up embarrassing herself.

Left with no choice, Isla suppressed her irritation, striding over to the cabinet as if she were searching for something.

She casually grabbed a band-aid, closed the drawer, snuck a glance at Zachary from the corner of her eye, and turned to walk toward the stairs.

Yet, she refused to let the opportunity slide. With a pivot on her toes, she eventually walked toward Zachary. She stopped in front of the coffee table and asked, “Are you here to see Uncle Matthew?”

“Mmm-hmm.” Zachary nodded.

The living room fell silent once again.

I have made it clear that Matthew is my uncle, so why is he still behaving this way?

Illya noticed that he was neither surprised nor curious about her identity. It felt like everything she did was futile.

She bit her lip, unable to resist asking, “Why are you here to see my uncle?”