"I didn't mean that." Annette looked at William and Barbara and said, "I was here to visit you, and I thought there was no need to talk about my boyfriend. He and I are not married, and we might break up in the future. I don't want you to worry about me."
William said, "Annette, it's OK. If you don't want to talk about it, then just don't. When you get married, we will be happy if you invite us. Barbara, am I right?"
Barbara nodded. "That's right. Let's change the topic and enjoy the meal."
Jennifer was displeased and frowned. "William, Barbara, since Annette is in a relationship, and you like her so much, you should be more concerned about her. What if Annette is fooled by the guy?"
Barbara looked at William and felt that Jennifer's words made sense.
Annette's mother was dead, and Annette was all by herself now. She was such a pretty girl, and what if she was fooled?
"Annette, is your boyfriend reliable? He is a formal employee in the Norman Group, right?" Barbara asked.
Annette smiled. She glanced at Jennifer and knew what Jennifer was thinking, but Jennifer seemed to have gone too far.
She said, "Barbara, if you don't mind, I'll ask my boyfriend to come and have dinner with us. On the one hand, just as Ms. Burns said, maybe you should take a look at the guy that I'm dating. On the other hand, I can dispel Ms. Burns' doubts about me so that she can be more at ease with Zachary."
Jennifer said disdainfully, "I never said I doubted you."
"You didn't say it, but it doesn't mean you don't mean it," Annette smiled.
She stood up and walked to the window. She took out her phone and dialed Connor's number.
As Connor picked up the phone, Annette asked, "What are you doing?"
"I just got home. Are you coming back?"
"Not yet. If you haven't had dinner, would you like to come to Joseph's house to eat with us?"
"Why?" Connor asked curiously.
Annette took a deep breath and explained, "Zachary's parents, Barbara and William, know that I have a boyfriend and they want to see you."
Connor immediately understood what she meant.
It seemed that the role she arranged for him tonight was "boyfriend".
At least when she needed a boyfriend, he was her first choice.
"I will be there soon," Connor said.
After that, he hung up the phone.
Annette turned back to the dining table and said, "He will be here soon."
Jennifer snorted arrogantly and said, "Annette, I think you have misunderstood me. I don't doubt you. I do that only because you were Zachary's neighbor. I am Zachary's girlfriend, and I am standing in his shoes and thinking for you."
Annette shrugged. Jennifer had met Annette for the first time, yet she had been acting weird the whole time. Who would believe that she was concerned about Annette?
Anyway, Annette would never believe it.
Barbara said, "Jennifer, speak less and eat your food."
Jennifer frowned and said, "Barbara, don't tell me you also think that I did it on purpose."
In fact, everyone at dinner could tell what was on her mind.
She was obviously hostile toward Annette.
Seeing that no one spoke, Jennifer said, "I didn't mean that.
"Annette, as you know, Zachary is working as a manager in the mall, and a lot of women have their eyes on him. I am used to being vigilant when talking to others. If I made you feel uncomfortable just now, I apologize to you. I..."
Zachary interrupted Jennifer, "That's enough."
Jennifer frowned unhappily. She thought, 'Zachary and his family are all protective towards Annette, but I am his girlfriend.'
Annette said in surprise, "Zachary, so you are the manager of Kamil Mall. Good for you."
Jennifer said proudly, "That's why I feel pressured."
Annette smiled, "Jennifer, I think you are worried too much. The man who loves you will never cheat on you. On the contrary, if he doesn't love you, you won't be able to keep him."
Barbara said unhappily, "That's right. What kind of person do you think Zachary is?"
Jennifer said in disdain, "Annette, if your boyfriend becomes as outstanding as Zachary one day, you will understand my worries."
Annette smiled and said nothing more.
She thought, 'It is a pity that Zachary has such a girlfriend.'
The doorbell rang again.
Zachary was about to open the door, but Annette stood up faster and said, "I'll go."
She trotted to the door and opened it.
Looking at Connor, Annette smiled. Her savior had finally come.
Annette grabbed his wrist and led him in.
The moment Connor appeared, both Zachary and Jennifer were stunned.
They recognized who Connor was.
William and Barbara were also surprised. Connor was so handsome and was a perfect match for Annette.
Annette pulled Connor to the dining table and said, "Let me introduce you. This is my boyfriend, Connor. Connor, they are William and Barbara, whom I mentioned to you on the phone. This is Zachary, and she is Zachary's girlfriend, Jennifer."
Connor nodded to everyone. "Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you, Connor. Please take a seat."
Jennifer covered her lips with her hand and whispered in surprise, "Oh my goodness! It is Mr. Norman. Am I right, Zachary?"
Zachary was looking Connor up and down. He had not expected that Annette's boyfriend was Connor Norman, who was very influential in Akron.
Zachary and Jennifer seemed to be shocked, and Barbara was a little puzzled.