The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

"Chloe might have gone to pick a fight with Annalise, but Annalise wasn't having any of it and shot her down right away, making her look bad," Tinsley said. "When Chloe realized she couldn't control Annalise, she switched gears and started trying to turn you against her." She grabbed Rowena's hand and added, "If I ever end up divorced and stuck with a mother-in-law like that—"

"Then, I'd be giving your mother-in-law a piece of my mind, too!" Rowena snapped. After she said that, she seemed to catch herself and looked up at Tinsley.noveldrama

Tinsley grinned. "Yeah, so don't be like her."

Rowena nodded solemnly, looking relieved. "Thank God you're here, or I might've actually fallen for her nonsense. Chloe's just nasty."

Tinsley nodded. "Yeah, no doubt."

Rowena was frustrated. "She really thinks she can use me? No way, I'm going to figure out a way to get back at her. Otherwise, that old hag will think I'm an idiot!"

Tinsley watched Rowena leave, then casually flopped onto the couch and grabbed her phone to call Zane. "Hey, Zane, did Annalise's ex-mother-in-law show up at your office trying to start something with her?"

Zane was slightly surprised but answered honestly, "Yeah. Chloe's current daughter-in-law is Jessica Shardlow. She's the one who screwed up Steven and Annalise's relationship, but after he got with Jessica, he realized he still loved Annalise.

"Jessica saw Steven constantly bothering Annalise and figured if she stuck by him, he'd eventually leave her. So she's been scrambling to find someone else to pay her way.

"And guess who's caught her eye? Me. She's been causing trouble every day, trying to mess with my relationship with Annalise."

When Zane talked about it, his tone was calm, almost detached.

"But every time, Annalise just sorts it out effortlessly. Jessica got really pissed, so she went straight to Chloe, twisting the story and saying Annalise didn't like her and was out to get her.

"Chloe wanted to back up her daughter-in-law, so she caused a scene at our company, trying to drag Annalise's name through the mud. In the end, Annalise called the police.

"But Chloe's pretty stubborn. Even though she knows Jessica started all this mess, she still thinks Jessica's in the right and that Annalise is the one at fault.

"Honestly, Annalise is focused on her work right now. She doesn't have the time or energy to deal with them."

Tinsley hesitated for a moment

before asking, "So, what you're

saying is: Chloe's doing all this work,

but she's actually clearing the path for Jessica to end up marrying you?"

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Zane didn't deny it. "Yeah."

Tinsley couldn't believe it. "Does Steven know?"

"He probably doesn't."

Steven didn't even know the baby Jessica was carrying wasn't his. But Zane didn't mention that this secret was something Annalise could use against Steven. Revealing it now would mess up Annalise's plans.

"But how do you know all this?" Zane asked.

"Because Chloe came over to our place," Tinsley said matter-of-factly. "She was trying to get Mom to start something with Annalise." "Oh?" Zane sounded calm.

Afraid Zane might start worrying, Tinsley quickly said, "But don't worry. Mom didn't buy it."

Zane knew Rowena could be easily influenced, and Chloe was really good at manipulating people. He also knew Rowena probably hadn't been swayed because Tinsley had been keeping an eye on her.

"Thanks," he said.