After the divorce, he begged

“Weren’t you sleeping?” Jeffrey sat up, his composure unshaken.

“Sleep can’t compete with juicy gossip,” Stanley motioned for the staff to bring two glasses and a bottle. After the staff left, he added, “Especially when it’s about you.”

Jeffrey stayed silent as the drinks arrived.

Stanley poured two glasses, dismissed the staff, and slid one across the table. “You’ve got the stories, and I’ve got the liquor. Spill.”

Jeffrey’s gaze was unreadable, filled with layers of hidden emotions.

“Stop staring at me like that. It’s freaking me out,” Stanley joked.

Jeffrey picked up the glass but set it down without drinking.

Stanley’s curiosity grew. “What exactly happened?”

“Last night, Samuel asked me two questions. He got angry after I answered,” Jeffrey said calmly. “He even told me to treat

him like he’s dead.”

“What two questions?” Stanley asked, sensing these weren’t ordinary questions.

Despite his rare visits back home over the years, Stanley knew Samuel was a sensible boy who wasn’t the type to make

such dramatic statements unless deeply hurt.

Jeffrey glanced at him without replying. His distress wasn’t just about the questions themselves but what they hinted at in

other areas.

“I won’t press you,” Stanley said, though he had an idea. “But this probably has something to do with Andrea. If you know she’s manipulative, why are you still involved with her?”

He thought, ‘She plays tricks and twists the truth, yet Jeffrey surprisingly indulges her instead of cutting ties with her. That’s very unlike Jeffrey.‘

“Because of a promise,” Jeffrey confessed for the first time.

“Even though it’s a promise, shouldn’t…” Stanley paused, realization hitting him. He kept his mouth open, no longer lighthearted.

silence

downed the glass of wine on the table, his voice slightly hoarse

his head down, his hands resting limply on

want,” Stanley said, stopping his attempts to persuade. “Matters of the heart aren’t like other problems. No

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Chapter 52

breaking the silence.

further, “What

a sideways glance. “What

could help Rebecca, but lan

his car keys and phone. His eyes lingered on the empty wineglass. “Need a ride

+20

usual carefree attitude came back, as if

me this late. I’m

responded with a quiet hum, and the two left the private room

to have someone drive the

drive back, Stanley kept glancing at Jeffrey before speaking up. “Why bring Jessica back all

financial support. At least let her keep offering emotional support

for a moment

minutes later, Jeffrey arrived home and smoothly

drive to Harmony

his foot on

“Don’t tie yourself to the past.

burden,”

steering wheel tightened, his lips

take it easy.” Stanley waved with a smile. His

conversation,

the past flooded his mind with the bright smile of that optimistic boy who

who achieved fame early, dazzling the world, would forever be

the present. The traffic light

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13:17 Fri, 19 Sept