When His Perfect Mask Shattered I Awoke (Anneliese and Zacharias) novel Chapter 506

**Chapter 506: Swapped Within Seconds**

“Just wait here for me. I’ll handle this myself,” Anneliese insisted, her voice firm yet laced with concern.

Jessica, her eyebrows knitting together in worry, replied, “How can I possibly let you go alone? It’s already late—”

“Don’t worry about it. There’s a 24-hour pharmacy just outside our neighborhood. I’ll be back in no time. Grandma can’t be left alone right now, and I’d just fret about her if we both went out together,” Anneliese reassured her, determination shining in her eyes.

The recent snowfall was still fresh in Anneliese’s mind. Although the white blanket had melted away, she knew the ground could have refrozen overnight, making it treacherous. If Jessica was indeed pregnant, the last thing Anneliese wanted was for her to slip and injure herself.

Jessica, feeling the weight of Anneliese’s words, reluctantly relented. “Fine. Even if I am pregnant, it’s not like we can’t manage a baby. I’ve still got five hundred million just sitting around with no purpose! Go on, I’ll be right here,” she said, a hint of a smile breaking through her earlier worry.

Anneliese reached out, playfully pinching Jessica’s pouty face before heading out the door, her heart heavy yet resolute.

However, thirty minutes ticked by, and Anneliese still hadn’t returned. Jessica’s anxiety grew as she tried calling her friend’s phone, but the call went unanswered. Perhaps the pharmacy had closed early for the holiday, she thought, or maybe Anneliese simply hadn’t heard her ringing.

Time dragged on, and after another thirty minutes of waiting, Jessica felt a knot tightening in her stomach.

Meanwhile, Anneliese had started her car and driven straight to a nearby pharmacy, the cold air biting at her cheeks as she stepped out. The sky had darkened significantly, and with New Year’s Eve approaching, most shops had shuttered early, leaving the streets eerily quiet.

The pharmacy, however, was still bright and welcoming, its entrance adorned with festive string lights that twinkled like stars against the backdrop of the night.

As Anneliese entered the store, she noticed a young man behind the counter, his attention glued to a video game, headphones snugly over his ears.

“Hold the line, hold the line! We’ve got this—damn it! Who let that noob in?” he muttered, frustration evident in his voice.

It was Anneliese’s first foray into purchasing a pregnancy test. She hesitated, wanting to ask the cashier where to find it, but seeing him so engrossed in his game, she decided to navigate the store on her own.

Forget it, I’ll find it myself, she thought, determination fueling her steps.

Suddenly, the door chimed again, and the cashier half-heartedly greeted the newcomer. A man clad in a black down jacket and a cap entered, accompanied by a woman dressed in a striking red coat.

Anneliese caught a glimpse of them out of the corner of her eye as they made their way to another aisle, but she paid them no mind.

After searching for a few moments and still finding no sign of the pregnancy tests, she turned to explore another aisle. Just as she rounded the corner, she collided with the man who had just walked in.

Across the street, a sleek black car sat parked under a streetlight, its presence almost ominous in the stillness of the night. The moment Anneliese had stepped out of her own car earlier, a tall figure had emerged from this vehicle, his sharp gaze fixed intently on the pharmacy’s entrance.

This man was one of the bodyguards Jonathan had discreetly assigned to ensure Anneliese’s safety. As he observed two figures following her into the store, a sense of urgency propelled him forward.

However, just as he stepped off the curb, a car sped past, its high beams blinding him momentarily, forcing him to halt in his tracks.

He stepped back, frowning in frustration.

In a surprising turn, that same car suddenly slammed to a halt, reversed, and came to a stop right in front of him, blocking his path once more.

The driver’s window slid down halfway, and a jovial face leaned over, grinning widely. “Gaston! When did you get back? Come on, let’s hit the bar! This here’s my high school buddy—just call him Gaston. Come on, let’s get him in the car!”

Before the bodyguard could even process the situation, the back doors swung open, and two men jumped out, their faces beaming with enthusiasm.

“Great to meet you, Gaston!” one of them exclaimed.

“Gaston, you’ve got to drink with us tonight. No excuses!” the other chimed in, their excitement palpable.