After the divorce, he begged

“Let him target me all he wants,” lan sneered, He had never been scared of anyone. “Don’t overthink it–just keep living your life like normal.”

“lan,” Rebecca frowned, worried he was being reckless.

“You think I came back just for me?” lan kept his eyes on the road, one hand resting lightly on the wheel. “I’m under strict orders from Jessica. If I left you to handle this alone, she’d come at me with a kitchen knife.”

“I’ll talk to her,” Rebecca said seriously. “I’ll make her understand.”

“No need,” lan cut in smoothly. “It’s already decided. Whatever Jeffrey tries, just remember–Jessica and I are always with

you.”

Rebecca opened her mouth to argue.

But lan wasn’t done. “If you say no, that means you don’t see us as real friends. And if we’re not friends, I might just have to teach Jeffrey a lesson.”

Rebecca looked puzzled. “If we’re not friends, why would you?”

“Because he’s the reason you push us away,” lan said, as if it were the most logical thing in the world. “So obviously, it’s all

his fault.”

Rebecca finally smiled softly. She knew there was no changing their minds–not lan’s, and certainly not Jessica’s. She felt a deep warmth having friends like them, but couldn’t shake the guilt of possibly dragging them into her mess.

“I know what you’re worried about. Worst case, Jeffrey tries to ruin my company or drag my dad into this mess. But I’ve taken precautions. Don’t stress over it,” lan said. He had already thought everything through.

“Thank you,” Rebecca said softly. She knew there was no changing his mind.

lan shot her a look. “You know if Jessica hears you being this formal, she’ll lecture you for an hour, right?”

A faint smile touched Rebecca’s lips. She finally let go of the urge to argue, She figured maybe if she kept a low profile and didn’t draw attention, Jeffrey wouldn’t go too far against them.

About half an hour later, lan pulled up in front of Rebecca’s apartment building. He frowned slightly as he looked up at the modest complex. “You live here?”

“Yep.” Rebecca nodded.

“Why not stay at one of Jessica’s places? She’s got plenty of empty properties,” lan couldn’t help asking. He remembered Rebecca had never lived somewhere so ordinary before.

“It’s comfortable here,” Rebecca replied and offered a practical reason. “It’s close to Samuel’s school. Makes drop–offs and pickups easier.”

mouth to say more, then

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Chapter 35

going up now,” Rebecca said, gesturing

inside before pulling out his phone and dialing

with a groggy but furious voice–he’d clearly woken her up. “Are you out of your mind? Do you know what

to check in about Becky,” lan

Jessica mumbled, “Let’s talk when I’m actually awake.” She hung

surprised. Just as he started looking for a

screen, his confident expression faltered. After letting it ring for about ten seconds, he finally

moment later, lan drove off, a slight

far away, Jeffrey watched the

and what he’d just seen, Stanley pieced things together.

didn’t answer, but his cold face said

he wasn’t worried after the proposal stunt failed,‘ Stanley thought. ‘He has a backup plan all

in Jelasburg knew lan and his father Henry didn’t get along. Every

family business in a fit of rage, and lan had built his

scratch.

on lan these next few days,” Jeffrey instructed Gregory in the

he does.”

“Okay,” Gregory replied.

minutes, Jeffrey finally let

was sure both she and lan were being watched by him–at

today.

her apartment, she set up her computer and tablet on the living room table near the balcony and took on a

was easy. She’d even won major game art contests against thousands of competitors back in the day. Back then, though, it was just for fun–not

typical full–body commission could go for anywhere from

17 Sept

Chapter 35

several thousand dollars. This one paid a thousand–low requirements, quick turnaround. Too bad gigs like this

afternoon, Rebecca lost herself in sketching. Four hours flew by

pick up Samuel–that

evening, after putting Samuel to bed, Rebecca settled back at her computer and picked up her stylus. Just as she began refining her drawing,