The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 289

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< 289 Chapter 289 The Old Zain Returns

289 Chapter 289 The Old Zain

Returns

Blanche’s POVO

I could see Zain seething beneath the surface, but he’d

learned to control himself. The old Zain would’ve

exploded by now.

After a beat, he turned to me with an explanation. “Desmond’s already working on the paperwork. It’ll take some time, but we’ll sign it the moment it’s ready.”

I grabbed my phone and looked straight at him. “Then give me your word right now. Verbal agreements hold up in court too.”

Zain went completely still.

He’d never seen me get this nitpicky about anything before.

But when Zain saw how dead serious I was–like I

genuinely wouldn’t budge until he gave me what I wanted–he caved.

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He took my phone and recorded himself promising

exactly what I’d asked for, keeping his voice as steady as possible.

When he finished, I made him type out the same promise in a text.

Once we’d gotten through all that, I stood up. “Alright, let’s go.”

I headed toward the guest room door as I spoke.

“Blanche, you…” Zain called after me.

He started to say something, then stopped, looking almost embarrassed–like he couldn’t quite get the words out.

I caught his drift and smiled slightly. “Are you trying to tell me I should put on some makeup or something?”

Right now I was dressed super casually–sneakers, tracksuit, hair thrown up in a messy ponytail.

I didn’t look terrible without makeup, but showing up to a dinner like this might raise some eyebrows.

Zain glanced at me and nodded. “Maybe just some foundation. It’ll brighten you up a bit.”

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289 Chapter 289 The Old Zain Returns

I let out a dry laugh, then shrugged. “Fine.”

I didn’t argue–just went along with what Zain wanted.

‘So he does care about appearances, I thought to myself. “Then again, what guy doesn’t want his woman looking good when they go out?‘

Joanna was always stunning, always glowing—she had that effortlessly perfect thing down, no matter when or where.

Even sick or crying, she somehow managed to look beautiful.

I was different. Having kids had changed me, and I’d stopped putting in effort for people unless I really cared. That kind of energy just wasn’t worth it otherwise.

Thirty minutes later, I was ready to go.

Same outfit, just touched up with foundation and lipstick.

That tiny bit of makeup made all the difference—I looked a hundred times better than before.

< 289 Chapter 289 The Old Zain Returns

Zain noticed how much brighter I looked and finally smiled. He moved toward me, reaching for my hand, but I deliberately pulled away.

When he saw me dodge his touch, Zain didn’t try again.

The entire drive over, I stared out the window.

My reflection looked back at me from the glass, my face completely blank, utterly dejected.

Zain had no clue what was going through my head, and seeing me like this seemed to drag his mood down

too.

Soon enough, we pulled up to the restaurant.

A server approached us, and Zain handed me the gift he’d brought. He leaned close, lowering his voice. “Here–take this. Just go with it and say it’s from you when we get inside.”

I hesitated for a second, then took the gift.

The server led us quickly to the private room Nicholas had reserved.

Zain walked in first, with me following behind.

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The second the door opened, everyone’s eyes locked onto Zain, and they all got to their feet.

“Zain!”

“Mr. Jacob!”

“Zain!”

They called out using different names and titles.

After the greetings died down, Zain gave them a slight smile and nodded. “Go ahead, sit down.”

Then Zain stepped aside, finally revealing me standing behind him.

Nicholas sat at the head of the table with Drew right beside him, everyone else scattered around.

All eyes shifted to where I’d been hidden. Nicholas’s eyes went huge, staring at me like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. As for Drew, his face turned to stone the instant he spotted me.

Zain ignored everyone else’s reactions. He took the gift from me and handed it to Nicholas. “Blanche picked this out for you. Here–happy birthday.”

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I added, “Happy birthday, Mr. Griffin.”

Nicholas was the only one in this crowd who’d ever actually been decent to me.

So wishing Nicholas a happy birthday wasn’t exactly a hardship.

Nicholas accepted the gift box, his voice a little shaky. “Thank you, Blanche.”

Someone nearby piped up, confused. “Wait–isn’t Blanche supposed to be Ms. Vins?”

Zain looked over without missing a beat. “No, it’s always been Blanche.”

Nicholas set the gift box aside, then glanced at Drew.

Ever since I’d walked in, Drew’s face had been

thunderous.

Now, hearing Zain announce this to everyone, his expression got even darker.

Nicholas could tell Drew was barely containing his rage.

Worried the two might explode at each other, Nicholas

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jumped in and raised his glass. “Well, since we’re all here together, let’s make the best of it. It’s my birthday, so come on everyone–let’s drink to me!”

As soon as he finished, Nicholas elbowed Drew to get him to participate.

Drew snapped back to attention and lifted his glass- though you could see he really didn’t want to.

I tightened my grip on my own glass.

Just as I was about to take a sip, Zain reached out and covered my hand with his, gently stopping me.

At the same time, he looked toward the door and called out, “Waiter, bring some warm water!”

When the server brought the water, Zain poured a cup and slid it over to me.

With a gentle smile, he said, “Drink this instead, okay?”

This kind of genuine care and protection was exactly what I’d been craving all along.

But now, all I could manage was a bitter smile inside.

My heart filled with endless bitterness as I held the

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warm cup Zain had given me.

Even if I’d been holding the wine glass, I wasn’t stupid enough to actually drink–I would’ve just pretended to sip and left it at that.

With my procedure so recent, there was no way I’d

risk alcohol for the next few months.

Everyone at the table couldn’t miss the way Zain was taking care of me.

Nicholas and Drew especially were watching every move and gesture.

Nicholas kept a close eye on Drew, who looked pissed and couldn’t hide his irritation.

So Nicholas leaned over and quietly reminded him, “Hey, it’s my birthday. Just this once, cut me some slack and don’t start anything.”

But Drew clearly wasn’t listening–he just brushed off

the words.

After everyone finished the birthday toast for

Nicholas, Drew knocked back his drink, then turned to Zain and called out loudly, “Zain, didn’t you promise

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289 Chapter 289 The Old Zain Returns

Joanna would be here today? So where the hell is she?”

I was sitting right there next to Zain, but Drew just blurted out the question, completely ignoring me and making everything incredibly awkward.

He didn’t even think about how everyone at the table might judge me after saying that.

Zain’s handsome features flickered with annoyance as he answered, “She hurt her leg. She’s at the hospital.”

Drew immediately looked worried, but he still challenged Zain. “Zain, something as serious as Joanna getting injured–you should’ve told us sooner! If we’d known, we all could’ve gone to the hospital to

celebrate. Without her here, what’s the point of this party?”

Nicholas got nervous and quickly grabbed Drew’s arm, muttering, “Drew, you’re drunk.”

Drew whipped around, his face dark with fury. “Tell me, what did I say that’s wrong? Zain doesn’t bring Joanna, fine, but then he drags this bad luck charm along instead. Is he just here to ruin your birthday, or is he doing this to piss me off?”

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Before Nicholas could get a word out, Zain cut him off with a cold shout, “That’s enough!”

Burning with rage, Zain slammed his glass down on the table–it shattered right in his hand.

Blood was already dripping between his fingers.

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