Annette patted his arm and said, "How about just focusing on your food."
Then she smiled and said to Barbara, "Barbara, there's no hurry about getting married. I've just graduated this year, and I want to wait till I'm more settled with my job. I can also test him at the same time."
Barbara shook her head and smiled.
Zachary raised his glass and said to Connor, "Mr. Norman, congratulations on finding such a wonderful girlfriend."
Connor also raised his glass and clinked it with Zachary. He said calmly, "Thank you. Ann told me that you work in Kamil Mall. Is that right?"
"Yes. I have just been transferred back to Akron from the headquarters, and I am in charge of the mall management and operation of the Akron branch."
Connor nodded. "Mr. Joseph, I presume you are Prince Charming to many women. Well, in my opinion, a man with a choice shouldn't make things difficult for himself when choosing the love of his life."
Connor was being subtle, yet everyone knew what he meant.
Annette peeked at Jennifer.
The arrogance on Jennifer's face had completely vanished and was replaced by huge frustration.
It made sense. After all, few could feel nothing after being loathed this much.
After the meal, Connor left with Annette.
The moment they left, Zachary brought Jennifer downstairs.
He asked angrily, "Why are you here today?"
"What's that attitude? Are you trying to pick up a fight with me? So? Are you going to accept Mr. Norman's suggestion and dump me for another woman? Zachary, make no mistake. I'm the one who spent the past four years with you, which was the hardest time in your life," Jennifer said discontentedly.
"But you've changed. Jennifer, you've changed so much. You would never treat me as an object before, but what about now? I've said a million times that I'm not the kind of guy who would cheat on you, but have you ever trusted me? You always go and humiliate all the women who have ever shown up by my side, as long as they are not married. Have you ever thought about how I feel? Because of you, I'm no different from a cheeky playa in others' eyes. They see me as a dandy. I know that you have been with me for four years and that you have wasted four years of your life on me. But have I ever treated you badly during the four years? Have you thought about that? I proposed to you, but you wanted to wait for a few more years."
Jennifer cried, feeling so aggrieved. "So? What do you mean now? You've made such a long speech. Are you going to break up with me?"
Zachary sighed, "That's not what I'm saying. I'm just saying that you should stop acting crazy. Stop keeping a tab on me every day as long as you're not shopping. It makes me tired. I don't want us to end up falling apart after four years together."
After that, he turned and walked to his car. "Let's go. I'll take you home."
Jennifer stepped forward and spread her arms to block his way. "I asked you to go to a movie, and you said you were busy. Then I came to you, only to see that you had brought another woman home. You'd rather be with others than me. Am I wrong to be angry?"
"She was a guest invited by my parents, and I haven't seen her for more than ten years. Was it wrong for me to stay with my parents and catch up with her?"
"But you didn't tell me."
"Jennifer, I am a person, not a pet, and on no grounds am I your slave. Now or in the future, I should have some privacy. I said I wouldn't cheat on you, but that doesn't mean I have to tell you everything I do. Show me some respect, will you?"
"Fine! I respect you. Go ahead and stay at home with your parents. I will show myself out." After saying that, Jennifer pushed Zackary hard and turned to leave.
After Jennifer left, Zachary stood there and sighed.
He knew that things between him and Jennifer had long changed, yet he was reluctant to let go...
He was so afraid that he would only realize that everything was wrong in the end.
He took out his phone and texted Annette.
When Annette received his message, she was talking to Connor about the Joseph family.
She took out her phone, read the message, sighed, and said, "Zachary just apologized to me."
"Because of his girlfriend?"
Annette nodded and looked at Connor. "You embarrassed her a lot today."
"Shouldn't I say it? Does she really think the whole world has to give in to her?"
Annette looked at him and smiled, "Well, I have to admit that you were such a badass when you mocked her today. If it weren't because of courtesy, I would have said something as well."
"So? Do you feel bad for Zachary?"
She said hastily, "That's not what I mean. I loathe women like her. Instead of cherishing their boyfriends, they are so paranoid and think that all the other women in the world are going after their boyfriends."
"Then have you ever drooled over her boyfriend?" Connor asked.
"No."
Connor said, "Well, that sounds about right. After all, you have such an excellent boyfriend. If you are still thinking about other men, then you are even worse than Jennifer."
Annette rolled her eyes at him and said, "The show is over already."
"Sorry. I guess I'm a great actor. It's very easy for me to get caught up," Connor said while putting his arm around her shoulders. "Annette, don't kick down the ladder. I'm still your boyfriend for now."
Annette smiled, not knowing how to respond.
"Stop smiling. Just keep in mind that from now on, your boyfriend's name is Connor."
Annette smiled and looked at him, "I want to talk to you about something serious now."
"Shoot. Let's see what can be more serious than me being your boyfriend."
"Do you have any idea how many students signed up for your lecture?"
"The answer is quite obvious. I'm sure there's a lot, and most of them are women."
"You are right," Annette shrugged and said.
"Also, I know that they don't just want me to be their lecturer," Connor said with some complacency.
Annette felt speechless and thought, 'How come you still decide to go when you know that?'