chapter 309
Chapter 309
With Zachary expressing his thoughts openly, Liberty chose not to argue and assisted her son in putting on disposable gloves.
After lunch, Zachary helped his wife clear the dirty dishes and carried them to the kitchen to wash.
In her sister’s presence, Liberty couldn’t stop singing praises of her brother-in-law. She urged Serenity to treat Zachary well.
Liberty was genuinely worried that her own failed marriage would lead her sister to lose faith in the possibility of successful marriages.
Although Hank had been unfaithful, that didn’t mean all men were the same.
There were still good husbands out there.
Unfortunately, Liberty had not been fortunate enough to find the right one.
Serenity replied with a hint of exasperation, “I understand, Liberty. You don’t have to keep praising him. I’ll help with the dishes.”
She then slipped into the kitchen before her sister could begin another round of compliments about Zachary. Liberty insisted that she treat Zachary well, as if she had been mistreating him.
Jasmine quietly chuckled from a corner.
As Zachary prepared to wash the dishes, he heard footsteps approaching. Glancing toward the kitchen door, he saw it was Serenity. He said, “I’ll handle the dishes. Please, have a seat. It must be exhausting to prepare a seafood feast.”
“I made a variety of dishes since you were coming for lunch,” Serenity replied.
She gently nudged him aside. “Why don’t you relax while I take care of the dishes? Your sister-in-law is worried that I might mistreat you. She keeps telling me what a great guy you are and how I should be nice to you. I feel like I’ve heard it a thousand times.”
Zachary didn’t dispute the dishwashing responsibility. He washed his hands and agreed, “Liberty has been through a lot, so she understands what’s important. She’s right.”
Serenity was left speechless.
“I have evidence of your brother-in-law’s affair. The file is in my car. Should I bring it to your sister now?”
“That was quick.”
Zachary replied, “Yeah. My friend is quite skilled at gathering intel. He knows what he’s doing.”
“Does he run a private investigation agency?”
“You could say that.”
Someone in the Bucham family was involved in that field, but they didn’t rely on the agency for information. The family was fairly secretive, much like the Johnsons in Annenburg.
“Give me the file before you head to work. I’ll pass it to my sister later. Let her enjoy her job offer today; I don’t want to spoil it for her.”
“Sure.”
“If your friend is okay with it, could you invite him to dinner at our place? A hotel would work too. We should express our gratitude for his help.”
Zachary replied, “I’m treating him to dinner tonight. No need to worry about that. We won’t owe him any favors.”
Since he had a business dinner scheduled, Josh would be joining them.
Josh would probably question how that counted as a dinner treat if he heard this.
“All right. Thank you!”
“It’s no trouble at all. I hope your sister can escape the Browns.”
Creeps like the Browns didn’t deserve his sister-in-law.
Zachary might say that, but his gaze remained fixed on Serenity.
Serenity paused her dishwashing and turned to face him. “The way you’re looking at me makes me think you don’t want my verbal thanks. How about a kiss?”
Zachary’s eyes darkened.
Serenity smiled. “Oh, never mind. I should wish you success by making you an eagle, so you can soar in your career.”
Zachary would have preferred the kiss instead.
However, he could not.
He couldn’t bring himself to say it out loud. As Serenity resumed washing the dishes, Zachary fell silent for a moment before walking out, feeling dejected. Typically, she would tease him, but it seemed she had stopped doing so, possibly because of the days of silent treatment they had been experiencing.