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.”

bring his things, not to critique

to what Samuel was used to. But she was determined to build a better life for him–one

own terms.

things in this room,” Rebecca said, opening one of the bedroom doors.

over the layout. These were the two largest rooms in the apartment. The only other space was a small study,

feet.

she planning to stay in that

arranging the

walk–in closet, another his bedroom,

1/3

4/%

Chapter 23

when he saw the clean, neatly organized

go now,” Rebecca said once she finished organizing and noticed Jeffrey

he grows up, I’ll have someone

for a response, he turned and left

door firmly behind him, not bothered by his remarks. Jeffrey knew everything about her, except for one thing–she knew how to cook, and she was

finger–a one–in–a–million mishap–and from that day on, he

none of that mattered anymore. Now, all Rebecca cared about

sent out had gotten any replies, Rebecca suspected Jeffrey was

to schedule an interview for a private dance instructor position. Even though she’d been a stay–at–home wife during her marriage,

looking for one–on–one tutors for their children. At least here, she figured, she wouldn’t have to

her wasn’t Jeffrey, but he was pretty much cut from the

she saw a refined, gentle–looking man playing with a child around four or five years old. Her

she blurted out, wondering, ‘What is he doing

Please, come in,” Stephen greeted her warmly, a soft smile on his

a wave of awkwardness but nodded

Emily Reed, over to a servant and

wearing a light gray suit today, silver–rimmed glasses resting on his nose–the picture of elegance

The kinder he appeared on the surface, the more ruthless his methods were behind

asked casually, “Would you like something to drink? Some juice,