After the divorce, he begged

Rebecca was a lightweight. Two glasses of 3-8% fruit wine would make her tipsy, and three or four would knock her out. Tonight, she’d already had four strong shots. If she kept going, trouble was inevitable.

“I’ve checked it,” Jeffrey said as he handed her a full glass of water. His long fingers glinted against the crystal glass, strangely magnetic. “Go ahead and drink.”

Rebecca didn’t hesitate; she took the glass and downed it in one go.

Watching her, Jeffrey’s eyes darkened. She’d drunk whatever was handed to her without hesitation. He wasn’t sure

whether to be moved by her trust or worried by her carelessness.

“All done,” Rebecca announced, slamming the glass down. She was so drunk now she couldn’t tell booze from water.

Jeffrey went along with her, replying softly, “Mm.”

“Can I go now?” Rebecca asked, totally unaware that it was just the two of them left in the private room.

Jeffrey casually grabbed her bag and then slipped his arm around her drunken body. “I’ll take you.”

Rebecca turned him down without a second thought. “No.” That was her truest feeling; she wanted to avoid any unnecessary drama with him.

“If you go out like this, trust me, something’s bound to happen,” Jeffrey said, lifting her as she leaned into his chest. “If you get hit by a car, whose fault is it–the driver’s or yours?”

Rebecca’s mind spun as Jeffrey lifted her. Her thoughts went blank, her head grew heavy, and her eyelids drooped. Alcohol numbed her limbs, and though she tried to reach out, her hand fell weakly each time.

Seeing her like this, Jeffrey felt a rare wave of regret. He really shouldn’t have let her drink that fourth shot.

Jason watched everything unfold from the corner. After confirming that Rebecca really was Jeffrey’s soon–to–be ex–wife, he wisely kept his distance and didn’t say a word.

Once they were outside the hotel, Jeffrey carried Rebecca toward his car.

Before they could meet up with Gregory, who was still in the car, a figure suddenly rushed out from the shadows and headed straight for them. “Rebecca!”

Jeffrey stopped in his tracks.

lan was already standing in front of Jeffrey. “Hand her over. I’ll take her home,” he said, locking eyes with Jeffrey, making it clear he wasn’t backing down.

shot lan an emotionless

reached out, trying

Samuel’s dad had already come, lan didn’t think

1/3

Chapter 49

he arrived, he saw Jeffrey carrying a totally wasted Rebecca out of

two bodyguards, stepped in just in time to block lan’s way. “Our boss will make sure Ms. Jensen gets home safely. You don’t have to

his way through, determined to snatch Rebecca out

and the bodyguards weren’t pushovers. After several attempts,

lan called out loudly. “Mr. Hanson, your scumbag skills are next–level. I’ve

stopped in his tracks and gave lan

stared right back at Jeffrey, standing his ground, making it clear

story you told her so she wouldn’t suspect your feelings, but

amazing.

enunciated each word, “I mean

what we have ‘romantic love‘ sells us short,” lan said, stepping close. He glanced at Rebecca, eyes closed in Jeffrey’s arms. “What connects me, her, and Jessica goes beyond anything

this, lan would just admit he liked Rebecca, just

but you don’t even have the guts to admit how you really feel,” Jeffrey threw

his voice full of irony. “Even while you’re with her, you’ve still got time

women.”

grew darker, but he didn’t bother correcting lan’s accusation, which wasn’t

serious. “Tomorrow morning, when she finds out

to make a difference,” Jeffrey said coolly, carrying Rebecca

situation was locked and the bodyguards alert, lan climbed into the passenger seat

glanced back at Jeffrey in

into a more comfortable position. His tone was casual, almost bored. “If he wants to ride along, let him. The

wonder Jessica always rips into him. With a mouth like that, even I’d

2/3

Chapter 49

shut him

mirror, watching for any sign that Jeffrey might make a move on Rebecca. As long as Jeffrey kept his hands to

a forty–minute drive, they finally pulled up to Maple