After the divorce, he begged

Chapter 23

Unsure what Jeffrey meant, Timothy chose his words carefully. “It’s fairly deep. If it were in a different location, it would’ve required stitches.”

Jeffrey glanced at him, his eyes deep.

On the surface, Timothy remained calm. But inside, he was sweating.

$47%

“Make sure the surgery goes smoothly,” Jeffrey said, rising to his feet. His gaze drifted over the medical instruments nearby. “I don’t want anything like today to happen again.”

“Got it,” Timothy replied, quickly putting the medical tools aside.

Jeffrey stepped out of the hospital and dialed Gregory. “What’s Rebecca doing now?” he asked.

“She’s looking for a place,” replied Gregory.

A shadow crossed Jeffrey’s eyes. He quickly gave a few orders over the phone.

Gregory acknowledged and got to work.

Rebecca had no idea Jeffrey was having her followed. With the surgery funds secured, she’d begun apartment hunting. Fortunately, she found a reasonably priced place in a safe neighborhood, not far from Samuel’s school.

After confirming the apartment was in good condition, Rebecca signed the lease with the landlord–paying three months‘ rent and a security deposit upfront.

She spent most of the day cleaning and unpacking. Once everything was in order, she texted Jeffrey: [Maple Garden, Building 1, Unit 1802. Bring Samuel’s things here.]

No reply came, and Rebecca didn’t follow up.

Around 4 p.m., there was a knock at the door. Rebecca opened it and saw Jeffrey standing there in a sharp, tailored suit.

He glanced around the less–than–1,000–square–foot apartment before stepping inside. The living room, which had felt fairly spacious, suddenly seemed cramped with his presence.

“You expect Samuel to live here?” Jeffrey’s tone was cool as his eyes settled on Rebecca. “His walk–in closet in my villa is bigger than this entire

apartment.”

to bring his things, not to critique my

wasn’t much compared to what Samuel was used to. But she was

own terms.

this room,” Rebecca said, opening one of the bedroom doors. Then she gestured to another. “The pillows

the apartment. The only other space was

feet.

she planning to stay in

his gaze. She was busy arranging the items the

be Samuel’s walk–in closet, another his bedroom, and the last–the smallest–would hold her things and also be

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Chapter 23

clean, neatly organized kitchen. ‘Rebecca doesn’t know how

she finished organizing and

sure Samuel stays healthy until he grows up, I’ll have someone handle his

response, he turned and left with

bothered by his remarks. Jeffrey knew everything about her, except for one thing–she knew

she’d excitedly prepared a meal for him once. But she’d accidentally cut her finger–a one–in–a–million

mattered anymore. Now, all Rebecca cared about was

any replies, Rebecca suspected Jeffrey was behind it. Left with

she managed to schedule an interview for a private dance instructor position. Even though she’d been

there was looking for one–on–one tutors for their children. At least here, she figured, she wouldn’t have to worry about Jeffrey pulling any

but he was pretty much cut from the

villa, Rebecca stepped into the garden. There, she saw a refined, gentle–looking man playing with a child around four or five

blurted out, wondering, ‘What is he

greeted her warmly, a soft smile on his

a wave of awkwardness

handed the little girl, Emily Reed, over to a servant and walked inside with

glasses resting on his nose–the picture

the surface, the more ruthless his methods were behind the

a seat,” Stephen said, gesturing toward the living room sofa. Once Rebecca was seated, he asked casually, “Would you like something to drink? Some juice, perhaps? I remember you used to enjoy fresh–squeezed juice at