No Remarriage for us Stay Away by Livia Storm

Chapter 525 She Is Heartless

Meredith studied her, noticing the pure, unafraid innocence in Harrietta's gaze as she was in an unfamiliar place.

A tender smile curved her lips. "I am your granny."

"Granny, hello, I'm Carol," Harrietta said, then turned to tug gently at Zachary's hand. "This is my dad."

Meredith glanced up at Zachary, who stood quietly behind her, and gave him a subtle nod.

Though they had never interacted directly, Meredith felt a sense of familiarity. Perhaps she had seen him at a

banquet in Jacaster, or maybe her brother, Matthew, had mentioned him in passing. Meredith had known of

Zachary for quite stime. A young man who had taken the helm as CEO of Fuller Group, and, as she recalled,

was now the chairman of the board.

In her mind, Zachary had always been a symbol of youthful success. Now, he was the father of her

granddaughter, though not her son-in-law.

Meredith had heard the details of those years. Isla had mistakenly entered the wrong room, only to be forced

onto bed by a disoriented Zachary. Later, under Tamara's manipulative influence, Isla had chosen not to call the

police and ended up having a child. Though Zachary may have been manipulated and had expressed his

sincerity to Matthew, and despite Isla's own share of responsibility, Meredith, as a mother, naturally leaned in

defense of her child. It was difficult for her to feel positively toward Zachary, given the circumstances.

Zachary gave Meredith a nod, fully aware that the Bjorn couple didn't hold him in high regard. He had no

intention of trying to win their approval the way he might with his in-laws. "All right, I've brought Hattie here. |

have smatters to attend to back home, so I'll be heading out now. The suitcase has Hattie's clothes and

toys, and I've made note of her preferences and habits. Please take good care of her. I'll cto pick her up in

two weeks."

Bjorn was pleased with Zachary's self-awareness.

He simply replied, "Then, | won't see you out."

"Goodbye, Daddy," Harrietta said, looking up at him with a trace of reluctance in her eyes.

Zachary gently stroked Harrietta's head, his voice soft and reassuring. "Listen to your grandparents while you're

here. And if you're ever uncomfortable, just call me. I'll cand take you home."

Harrietta nodded obediently.

"I'm leaving now," Zachary added.

"Okay," she replied.

With that, Zachary turned and left. Meredith observed Harrietta, who stood watching his retreating figure without

so much as a flinch.

Though they were her maternal grandparents, they were strangers to her. Despite being only five years old and

surrounded by unfamiliar faces, Harrietta didn't cry or make a fuss. To Meredith, the child seemed unnervingly

composed for her age, as if this new place didn't faze her in the slightest. Meredith couldn't help but pat

Harrietta's head gently.

As soon as Zachary left, Bjorn motioned for Harrietta to follow him. "Con, Carol. I'll show you the room I've

prepared for you, and then we can take a tour of the manor."

"All right," Harrietta replied, nodding enthusiastically.

They ascended to the second floor, where Harrietta's room awaited. It was spacious and bathed in natural light,

the atmosphere warm and welcoming. The bed was dressed in soft blush-toned linens, and a large rabbit plushie

rested at its center. On the desk, there were new toys neatly arranged.

Bjorn glanced at her, a hopeful smile tugging at his lips. "Do you like it, Carol?"

Harrietta's face lit up as she nodded.

Given that Harrietta would only be staying for half a month, the room's layout and cozy touches were more than

adequate for her needs.

Bjorn chuckled, pleased to see her content. "I'm glad you like it. There's someone to help with your luggage, and

after that, I'll take you out for a little stroll."

"All right," Harrietta agreed.

And so, Harrietta settled into the manor.

Later, after a long day of shooting, Lenora stepped out of the magazine building. As she glanced around, her

attention was drawn to a car parked on the side of the road, its hazard lights blinking. The window on the driver's

side rolled down, revealing a familiar, handsface.

Lenora walked over, opened the passenger door, and slid into the car, fastening her seatbelt securely.

"How was it? You've been busy all day, are you tired?" Zachary asked as he started the car.

"All good." Lenora stretched her neck. "Has Hattie been sent over?"

"es."

"| thought you had already left."

"I'm leaving tomorrow," Zachary replied, noticing Lenora's hesitation. "What's wrong?"

"I... have plans to have dinner with a friend." Lenora glanced at him.

She had contacted Bella around noon, and Bella, upon hearing that she had arrived in Fairlake, warmly invited

her out for a meal.

Zachary raised an eyebrow. It was clear that he wasn't part of the plans she had made.

"What restaurant? I'll take you there," Zachary said, pursing his lips.

Lenora told him the nof the restaurant, then glanced at him. "And what about you?"

"Me?" Zachary looked ahead, his voice tinged with melancholy. "Of course, I'm heading back to the hotel... I'll

grab something random for dinner. After all, no one cares about me."

Lenora was momentarily speechless. Her lips twitched as she stole a quick glance at Zachary, ready to say

something when her phone chimed twice. Bella was asking where she was.

Zachary had expected Lenora to

comfort him but after a long pause,

he still hadn't heard a word from her. When the light turned red, he

glanced over, only to find her be ne

bowed, absorbed in replying to Bella's message. He was

no

speechless. Clearing his throat, he

waited.

Once she finished, Lenora looked up at him. "Make sure you rest when you get back. Flying can be exhausting."

Zachary stared at her, at a loss for words. That's it? That's all she has to say?

Zachary hummed in response, remaining silent for the rest of the ride. Lenora, seemingly oblivious, continued

chatting with Bella on the phone. Zachary fought the urge to sigh in frustration. The car finally pulled up in front

of the restaurant.

"Have we arrived?" Lenora looked up from her phone, glancing out the car window. "Well, I'm off then."

"Mm," Zachary replied quietly.

Lenora stepped out of the car and shut the door softly. Just as she was about to head inside, something seemed

to cross her mind. She turned back to face Zachary. "Oh, right..."

Zachary raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to continue.

"I asked my friend if | could bring you along, and she said yes. Would you like to come?" Lenora tilted her head,

looking at him.

Zachary was momentarily caught off guard, then quickly realized-she had done it on purpose. She knew exactly

what | was feeling but kept quiet, lettingstew in anxiety. Just when | had given up, she drops the good news.

She's heartless! "No." He turned away, frustration evident in his tone.

"I'm going myself, then."

"Mm-hmm."

Seeing his resolve, Lenora turned to

walk toward the restaurant. Just as she reached the door, a firm hand grabbed her pulling her into an

embrace and pressing her ret

el.f

the wall. A kiss, assertive and intense, followed, their breaths mingling. The entrance to the réstaurant was right

next to them, with people passing by casually, unaffected. But Lenora's cheeks flushed, a warmth spreading as

she felt the heat in her ears.

The sound of a ringing phone broke the silence.

Lenora quickly pushed him away and grabbed her phone to answer. "Bella... I'm at the restaurant entrance, I'll

be right there..." she said, her tone hurried.

After hanging up, she shot Zachary a glare before turning to walk into the restaurant. Zachary, with a smirk,

followed close behind her.

"I thought you weren't coming?" she asked, an eyebrow raised.

"I was just fooling you," he replied with a playful glint in his eyes.

Lenora spotted Bella and Jermaine and greeted them from across the room. She then introduced Zachary to the

pair.

Jermaine exchanged pleasantries with Zachary, while Bella shot him a curious glance. So this is Fay's ex-

husband. He resembles Axel just a little.

Jermaine also noticed the resemblance, and the way he looked at Lenora shifted. Could it be that she sees

Ezekiel as a stand-in? Now that she's reconciled with Zachary, is she distancing herself from Ezekiel?

Lenora had no inkling of Jermaine's thoughts, as she was fully absorbed in a lively conversation with Bella. When

Bella learned of Lenora's pregnancy, her surprise quickly gave way to joy, eagerly anticipating the arrival of the

little one. At that moment, a voice rang out nearby. The sound of Clusian stood out in the foreign city.

"Jermaine?"

Lenora looked up, only to find herself face-to-face with a middle-aged man.

Although Lenora had never met this man before, she could easily deduce his identity-Bertram-based on his

appearance, the familiar way he called out "Jermaine," and the subtle accent in his voice. Instinctively, she

glanced at Zachary.

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