When His Perfect Mask Shattered I Awoke (Anneliese and Zacharias) novel Chapter 771

The moment Pepper heard Wendy's proposal, her pulse spiked violently. She instinctively glanced toward Adrian, silently urging him to respond.

She desperately wanted him to agree. Whether Wendy was taunting him or whether he accepted out of wounded pride didn't matter to her. She only wanted to hear him say yes.

Pepper understood Adrian too well. His ego had always been one of his weakest spots. Being challenged by his ex-wife like this could easily push him into doing something reckless.

Yet reality crushed her expectations.

Adrian's expression instantly darkened, fury flashing across his face as though Wendy's words had humiliated him beyond endurance.

The muscles at his temple twitched sharply. Ignoring everyone else, he tightened his grip around Wendy's wrist, his voice strained with desperation.

"Wendy, there has never been anyone else for me. The only woman I've ever wanted as my wife is you. I know you're upset. You can deny it all you want. You can insist you don't still have feelings for me and claim those words meant nothing, but I won't let go of us. I'll act like I never heard what you just said.

"Come sit down first, alright? I'll make your favorite coffee for you. I've kept it here all this time just for you..."

Pepper's expression stiffened instantly.

The metallic taste of blood spread through her mouth as she bit down hard on her tongue to stop herself from exploding. If not for that shred of restraint, she might have lunged at the pair standing before her.

This was completely different from the outcome she had imagined.

D*mn it!

Wendy forcefully pulled herself free from Adrian's hold. Her breathing turned uneven, anger rising visibly in her chest. After taking several sharp breaths, she snapped coldly, "Adrian, are you incapable of understanding simple words? Yes, I'm furious. But not because of you and me.

"I'm angry because you stood by while people dragged my son's reputation through the dirt and slandered my goddaughter as well. That's the only reason I came here today. I couldn't care less about whatever relationship the two of you have now or might have in the future!"

Adrian stared at her blankly for a moment before frowning.

"What do you mean I allowed people to ruin Steven's reputation? And since when do you even have a goddaughter? Why haven't I heard anything about this?"

The instant those words left his mouth, Pepper's face subtly changed.

Of course, Wendy was referring to the gossip surrounding Steven and Anneliese. Pepper had seen every bit of it herself.

Unlike Gianna, however, she hadn't simply enjoyed the drama without thinking deeper.

However, upon seeing Wendy storm into Adrian's company in such a towering rage, Pepper suddenly felt uneasy. Could Gianna have lied to me? No... that can't be possible.

As she spoke, Pepper hurried forward again, attempting to grab Wendy's hand.

"Wendy, there's definitely been some mistake here. Please calm down first..."

Before Pepper could touch her, Wendy smoothly stepped aside and avoided the contact altogether. Her eyes settled on Pepper with icy sharpness.

"Tell me honestly," Wendy said coolly. "Were you part of this too?"

Pepper froze in disbelief. "Wendy, what are you saying? Why would I ever do something like that?"

One of Wendy's brows lifted slightly.

"So, you're saying Gianna handled everything by herself?"

Pepper was stunned speechless. When do I ever admit anything like that?

Her face instantly filled with panic and grievance as she clung tightly to Adrian's arm beside her, silently seeking his support.