After the divorce, he begged

The manager looked visibly embarrassed. Just as he was scrambling for a response, Rebecca stood up and walked over, her expression calm but firm. “Jeffrey put you up to this, right?” she asked.

“No, definitely not Mr. Hanson,” the manager denied quickly.

“Where is he?” Rebecca pressed, her voice steady. She was convinced Jeffrey was behind all this. “Is he next door, or has he already left?”

Back when they were together, he always preferred the next booth whenever he wanted to eavesdrop or stage a scene. After all these years, she doubted he’d changed that habit.

The manager was sweating bullets. He never expected things to take this turn.

Just then, Stanley’s voice crackled faintly in his earpiece. “Bring her over.”

Swallowing hard under Rebecca and lan’s intense stares, the manager finally confessed, his heart racing, “Mr. Hanson and Mr. Garcia are waiting for you next door.”

Without another word, Rebecca walked out. Ian followed closely behind.

The door to the adjacent private room was already open. Rebecca stepped inside and saw Jeffrey sitting calmly in a chair, as composed as ever. He showed no emotion–only briefly glancing up when she entered.

Their eyes met, and Rebecca’s hands tightened unconsciously at her sides.

Before she could speak, Stanley cut in first. “Mr. Yeats, here to thank us?”

“I thought it was some idiot’s doing. Turns out it was you,” lan scoffed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Guess you haven’t gotten any smarter over the years.”

“lan Yeats!” Stanley shot up, anger flashing in his eyes.

lan simply crossed his arms, his voice provocative. “What’s up?”

Stanley lunged forward. “I swear I’ll-”

Jeffrey gripped his shoulder and spoke in a calm, measured tone, “Are you seriously going to let a few barks get under your skin?”

“Well, look who’s here–the cheater himself,” lan fired back without missing a beat. “What’s the plan? Team up with this fool to blame your infidelity on Becky?”

Stanley gritted his teeth. ‘Who does he think he is, calling me a fool? Still just as annoying as ever.‘

pulled out a chair gently for Rebecca. “And I’m not

Jeffrey’s gaze turned

1/4

13:26 Wed, 17 Sept

Chapter 34

Sept b

even close.” lan stood protectively beside Rebecca. “Who do you think you’re insulting? Do you

Stanley and Jeffrey fell

did I forget how much this guy

case, maybe you should see a specialist,”

having limitations. But when it’s this bad, you might need

said, completely unfazed. “Let’s get to the

an

Jeffrey stated calmly, glancing briefly at

lan admitted without hesitation. “It’s not exactly a secret.

Stanley was stunned.

Jeffrey’s expression darkened.

actually confessing?” Stanley blurted out, totally

you stop filtering everything through that romance–obsessed

someone‘ only about romance? Can’t friends

don’t have any feelings for Rebecca beyond friendship?”

didn’t even blink. “Nope, I

shot lan a sideways glance and

declared with unshakable pride, “Beyond friendship, I see

regretted coming over. ‘This has

addicted to being a guard dog?” Stanley

better than being a henchman,” lan grinned, oozing

temper flared. “Say one more word–I dare

beat the living

fun, it was time to exit. “Better stay away from henchmen

she had to admit–it felt good to let off some steam. ‘He

13:26 Wed, 17 Sept