Anneliese let herself be dragged down into a crouch and shuffled forward a few steps before finally caving in.
"When we get to Jess' place, I'll video call Jonathan so you can ask him yourself, okay?"
Clearly, Meatloaf trusted Jonathan more than her.
Whether Meatloaf really understood this time or just heard Jonathan's name and got the idea, it worked.
Meatloaf wagged his tail and let go of Anneliese's pants.
Anneliese was left speechless, but at least she finally managed to coax the dog out the door.
She dragged her suitcase and led the dog, feeling unreasonably frustrated and restless.
Suddenly, she felt like she really was at the bottom of the food chain, forced to become everyone's emotional support.
Her grandma needed her to comfort her, Jonathan needed her to reassure him, and now even Meatloaf had to be cajoled.
But who's going to cheer me up?
Anneliese stepped out of the elevator, only to spot a familiar face heading toward her.
It was Zaxton.
"Mrs. Fullbuster, Mr. Fullbuster sent me to help you move. I'll take care of the luggage. Just keep an eye on Meatloaf."
Zaxton stepped up and took both heavy suitcases from her hands.
"How did he know?"
Anneliese was genuinely surprised. She hadn't told Jonathan she was moving out of Maple Bay.
So how did Jonathan know, and why did he send Zaxton to wait for her?
Zaxton hurried to explain, "Mrs. Fullbuster, don't get the wrong idea. Since you didn't like me following you, Mr. Fullbuster had already told me to go home. But after you sent Dr. Landis and the others away this morning, she told Mr. Fullbuster that your grandma had gone back to the hospital.
"That's when Mr. Fullbuster figured your grandma must have learned the apartment belonged to him. Since she wouldn't want to stay here anymore, she'd definitely want you to move too, so he told me to wait here and give you a hand if you moved."
Anneliese didn't reply for a moment, but all her frustration faded away.
She felt a little pathetic—Jonathan didn't even have to show up in person, and she was already in a better mood.
Once in the car, Meatloaf seemed to catch Jonathan's scent and got all excited, thumping his paws on Anneliese's leg as if urging her to start a video call.
Anneliese took out her phone and dialed Jonathan.
He answered almost instantly.


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