After the divorce, he begged

Chapter 21

As Rebecca was deep in discussion with Timothy about Amelia’s surgery, Jeffrey arrived. He was still wearing an expensive custom–tailored suit, his expression unchanged and accomposed as ever.

The moment Andrea saw him, she struggled to her feet–putting on a pained yet brave face. “Jeffrey,” she murmured.

Timothy quickly greeted, “Mr. Hanson.”

“What happened?” Jeffrey walked over to Andrea, his eyes settling on her freshly bandaged injuries.

“I heard Rebecca has been struggling to cover her mom’s surgery costs, so I wanted to see if I could help,” Andrea said, giving Rebecca a loaded look. “After all, we used to be friends,”

Jeffrey stayed silent, waiting for her to finish her thought.

Andrea went on, “But the moment she saw me, she lost it. She called me a homewrecker and even said-” Her voice broke off as tears filled her eyes. She covered her face and sobbed, like she couldn’t bear to say the rest.

Jeffrey gently guided her to sit on a nearby chair, his hand resting on her shoulder. “What did she say?”

“She said I only take things she doesn’t want–the title of Mrs. Hanson, the black card you gave me, and even you.” Andrea’s voice trembled, tears now streaming freely.

She took a deep breath and continued, “I can handle her insults toward me, but how could she talk about you that way?”

Jeffrey looked up at Rebecca. Though his expression remained calm and he didn’t say a word, she could feel the cold intensity in his gaze.

Timothy felt the pressure in the room drop suddenly. It became hard to breathe.

Andrea’s voice trembled. “I couldn’t help talking back a little. But she acted all high and mighty, saying that with just one word from her, everything you gave me would go right back to her.”

She looked up at Jeffrey, her eyes filled with tears. “But I don’t care about any of that stuff–I just want to be with you.”

Instantly, a chill seemed to sweep through the room.

Jeffrey’s eyes stayed fixed on Rebecca, calm but icy. “I’m curious, Ms. Jensen. How do you plan on taking everything from Andrea and having it all returned to you with just ‘one word“?”

mouth to respond, then stopped. As twisted as Andrea’s version was, the core

Andrea tugged gently on his

expression softened almost

accusation gently into place. “She’s just so worried about her mom

done worse. She paused, adding innocently, “I’m just

voice low and dangerous. “Is that how you got

tried to stop her so we could talk properly, but she just…” She let

speak, but the ice in his eyes said more than

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QUIL, 14 Qepi

Chapter 21

pushed her,” Rebecca stated firmly. She hadn’t yet learned to navigate deception and manipulation, and her honesty caine off almost as naivety. “If you don’t believe me, check

like it was stepping on her heart. “Have I been too lenient with you lately? So you think you

behind my back lenient? Sabotaging every job opportunity I get lenient? If that’s your idea of leniency, then I’m begging you–stop going easy

Jeffrey replied coldly. He was convinced she needed to be put in her

away, done with the drama. Ignoring the tense atmosphere and the weight of Jeffrey’s stare, she took a steadying

Jeffrey and was

another time.

Jeffrey’s voice cut through

Hanson?”

Jeffrey said to Timothy, though his eyes never left Rebecca. “Assign another

Timothy glanced instinctively

overseeing my mom’s care for years. Why reassign

left Amelia in a coma, Timothy had handled everything–from

What will happen to Mom’s surgery?‘

you?” Jeffrey’s voice was cold and precise. “Consider it done. All special arrangements for you

to speak up for

fired,” Jeffrey said

Group, and Jeffrey could fire anyone with a single word. After all, he was the one who’d originally recruited every doctor with lucrative

Jeffrey to go this far. She knew it wasn’t