The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 130

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130 Chapter 130 Red Mark On His Neck

130 Chapter 130 Red Mark On His Neck

Blanche’s POV 1

Zain’s words carried a sharp edge, a warning wrapped in silk.

I caught his meaning immediately–he was protecting Joanna.

My stomach twisted as I watched Demetrius, knowing he could get burned in this mess. I pushed back from the table. “Demetrius, let’s

go somewhere else.”

Zain studied us with those cold, calculating eyes. I could practically see the gears turning in his head, suspicion building.

Demetrius stood, matching Zain’s icy stare. “Mr. Jacob, since you claim this isn’t about the research project, I see no point in staying.” His

tone stayed polite, but the distance was unmistakable.

He gripped my arm firmly and guided me toward the exit.

The thought gnawed at Joanna, making her wonder if Demetrius truly hated her because of Blanche, a notion she couldn’t quite

reconcile.

Zain turned his attention to Joanna, reading the embarrassment written across her face.

His fingers brushed her cheek, voice dropping to that gentle tone he reserved for her. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll sort out your research

topic.”

Joanna’s voice cracked. “Zain, I’m sorry. I guess I’m just not smart enough.”

He pulled her close, hand rubbing soothing circles on her back. “Stop that. You’re brilliant.”

She melted into his chest, tension slowly ebbing away.

Demetrius found us another Chinese place. Once we settled in, he slid the menu across to me.

After I ordered, I looked up at him, worry gnawing at my chest. “Demetrius, Joanna’s everything to Zain. He won’t let anyone hurt her.

Maybe you should just-”

“Blanche.” He cut me off clean. “I saw two people who don’t know how to act professionally, I meant every word. Not everyone’s cut out

to be a doctor.

I knew he had my back, but that didn’t stop the anxiety from clawing at me. Zain was right–the higher you climb, the harder

Demetrius was right too, though. I couldn’t argue with that.

you

fall.

When our food arrived, Demetrius spooned rice into my bowl and handed me chopsticks.

“The grad school exam’s coming up fast,” he said, genuine concern in his voice. “How’s your prep going?”

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130 Chapter 130 Red Mark On His Neck

I nodded. “I’m ready.”

I’d started studying before I got pregnant, so reviewing everything now felt manageable.

Demetrius smiled at my confidence. “Professional degree or research track?”

“Research. If things go according to plan, I’ll have my PhD by my early thirties. Pretty ancient by then.”

I was joking, but Demetrius’s expression turned serious. “You’re not old. You’ve always been beautiful.”

I glanced up, catching the red creeping up his ears.

My eyes widened, a grin tugging at my lips. “Demetrius-”

His face flushed deeper. “Try the fish. They say it’s really fresh here.”

I laughed softly. “Thanks, Demetrius.”

After dinner, we wandered around for a bit before I finally drove home. It was still early, so I didn’t bother calling Zain.

Scrolling through my feed, Joanna’s account kept popping up despite my repeated “not interested” clicks. The algorithm was relentless.

Her latest video showed only the lower half of Zain’s body, but his voice came through crystal clear.

“Yeah, it’s for my PhD research topic. I need it soon.”

Even without showing his face, Joanna didn’t need to flaunt anything. I could tell Zain would hand her the world on a silver platter.

Sure, PhD topics were tough, but Demetrius wasn’t the only expert around.

I tapped “not interested” again. A few videos later, my phone buzzed–Zain calling.

I picked up. “I can’t find the marriage certificate.”

I shot up in bed. “What do you mean you can’t find it?”

“It’s not here.”

My brow furrowed. “I’ll come to Alexander Villa and look.”

I hung up, threw on a jacket, and headed out.

At Alexander Villa, I tore through every drawer and cabinet upstairs. Nothing.

Cherry heard the commotion and came up to check. “Mrs. Jacob, what are you looking for?”

Frustration leaked into my voice. “Cherry, have you seen my marriage certificate with Zain?”

She shook her head. “Mrs. Jacob, that’s between you and Mr. Jacob. I wouldn’t touch something so personal.”

I sighed, deflated. “Okay, thanks.”

I tried calling Zain, but his line was busy–probably dealing with Joanna’s research drama.

Instead of calling back repeatedly, I waited. A few minutes later, he called me.

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“Come to Alexander Villa,” I said.

He paused. “I’ll be there, but it might be late.”

“If you’re not here by late evening, I’m leaving.”

I hung up without waiting for his response.

The clock crept toward late evening. I kept glancing at the entrance, assuming Zain wasn’t going to show.

Just as I reached for my coat, a car horn sounded outside. Zain walked in moments later.

He saw me standing there, coat in hand, ready to bolt. “Did you find the marriage certificate?”

I shook my head. “No.”

His gaze turned cold. “You’ve been running this house since we married. Shouldn’t you know where the certificate is?”

A bitter laugh escaped me. “Since we got married, all my energy went to Carry. I never thought about where that piece of paper ended

up.”

His tone stayed flat. “I only saw it once–the day we got it. Haven’t seen it since.”

Exhaustion hit me like a wave. This divorce was giving me a massive headache. “So what now?”

Zain glanced at my anxious face, a smirk playing at his lips. “We could always get married again. Then divorce all over.”

I didn’t find it funny. “Think harder. If you really can’t remember, we’ll have to apply for a replacement.”

He grunted and pulled out a cigarette, lighting it.

As he lowered his head, I caught sight of a red mark on his neck. Impossible to miss.

My chest tightened. ‘He said he’d be late. Was he in bed with Joanna this whole time?‘

Zain took a drag and looked at me. “Besides you and me, only Cherry’s been here at Alexander Villa-”

I cut him off. “No, your mother’s been here too.”

He paused. “I’ll ask her.”

Even if it sounded insane, stranger things had happened.

Zain called Ophelia, asking about the certificate.

Her voice exploded through the phone. “Seriously? What would I want with your marriage certificate? Zain, have you lost your mind?”

He got an earful before hanging up.

I caught Ophelia’s yelling and told Zain, “Looks like we’re getting a replacement.”

He nodded. “Yeah.”

I moved past Zain toward the door, but his voice stopped me. “Wait, Blanche.”

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130 Chapter 130 Red Mark On His Neck

“What?”

He turned, walking over to tower above me, confusion creasing his brow. “Why do you suddenly want to divorce me?”

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