Chapter 695: Chapter 695: Zaiden Santos is So Despicable
Ann Nolan was indeed skillful in cooking; the kitchen was filled with the aroma of her dish.
She also prepared a small serving for Jasmine Yale.
Jasmine, who was tired and overwhelmed from the happenings of the day, hadn’t eaten much for dinner and was now feeling famished.
They sat at the dining table, chatting whilst enjoying their meal.
“I haven’t met Little Chaley yet, is he a well-behaved boy?”
“In a while, I can take you upstairs to see him. When he sleeps, he’s like a little piglet, oblivious to the thunderstorms,” Jasmine laughed lovingly.
“Great, I love children.”
“Ann, how did you meet Zaiden Santos?”
“In university,” Ann Nolan said casually.
“Did both of you graduate from the same university?”
“Yes, we both attended undergraduate programs at Landon University; I later pursued my Master’s degree, while he studied abroad for two years.” Ann seemed to be retelling an old tale, her face devoid of expression.
Memories of the past seemed to be viewed indifferently.
Jasmine, afraid to probe into her heartaches, did not ask any further.
“Professor Mackenzie took good care of me when I was studying. I often dined at their place; his wife was a fantastic cook too.”
“The dishes made by his wife were indeed delicious,” Jasmine remembered clearly!
She laughed and narrowed her eyes into crescents.
“Are you curious about how Zaiden and I got married?” Ann asked, her eyes serene, a calm smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
“Hmm.” Jasmine took a bite of her noodles.
Her eyes sparkled and held an inexplicable meaning.
“I forced him,” Ann casually flicked her bangs away and laughed, “Does it seem despicable and quite cunning of me?”
“No, not at all, do you like him a lot?”
“Hmm, I did like him a lot. By chance, I learned that my grandfather had a deep bond of friendship with his grandfather. In a gathering, I confessed to my grandfather that I liked Zaiden. My grandfather then discussed it with Grandfather Santos. Grandfather Santos liked me a lot and arranged for our marriage.”
“Ah …,” Jasmine was taken aback, “So it was like that. And did Zaiden Santos agree with that?”
To agree to marry someone you don’t love?
“Grandfather Santos controls the Santos Group, and Zaiden wanted to take over the Group. So, his agreement to marry me was a calculated move.” Ann’s eyes moistened slightly, “At first, I didn’t understand, but now I do.”
Ann lowered her head, stirring her bowl of noodles.
The steaming noodles, fogged up with condensation.
The air was filled with the aroma of food and a melancholic mood.
The noodles tasted good, but they held a hint of bitterness for her.
“He could have refused Grandfather Santos. But choosing to refuse would have angered Grandfather Santos. So he cleverly chose to marry me, and in doing so, didn’t suffer a loss,” Ann said lightly.
Jasmine didn’t know what to make of this.
To Zaiden Santos, this marriage didn’t come with a loss.
Zaiden was handsome and wealthy— even if he got divorced in the future, there would always be beautiful women lining up to be with him.
Moreover, if he managed to acquire the Santos Group by marrying Ann, he would be even more sought after, standing atop all others.
But it was different for Ann.
The emotional toll this relationship had taken on her was immense.
Being more emotional than men, it would likely take her a while to recover from this failed marriage.
Zaiden Santos had turned marriage into a transaction.
“Zaiden Santos is so despicable,” Jasmine frowned.
The first time she saw him at the tea house, he seemed humble and gentle, and treated Ann well.
But she later found out that it was all a facade.
He was using Ann while living carefree outside their marriage.
Ambitious for both love and wealth, he managed to acquire both.