After the divorce, he begged

Chapter 176

Rebecca froze, and in that instant, everything clicked.

Neither she nor Jessica had guessed the full picture. Jessica’s explanation wasn’t wrong, but Jeffrey’s purpose went deeper. By making her give in and accept those bodyguards, he had laid the groundwork to justify his demand just now.

He really was as calculating as the rumors claimed, leaving no possibility unconsidered.

“What do you think?” Jeffrey’s hand pinched the small curve of her waist.

Seeing this, the others quickly slipped away–they didn’t want to be the third wheel here.

“Does it even matter what I say?” Rebecca felt her heart sinking lower and lower. She knew there was no way out of his game. “You’ve already planned it all. Why pretend to ask for my opinion?”

“You’re my wife. Your opinion matters.” Jeffrey was used to speaking pretty words.

The calmness in his face unsettled her.

He hadn’t always been like this. Before, his kindness toward her had been genuine, and she hadn’t felt this unease. But now every word, every move of his was full of intent, and all she could feel was disgust.

“If you really valued my opinion, you wouldn’t force me to do things your way,” she said, tearing through his mask.

Jeffrey leaned closer, his voice low. “Are you blaming me?”

Rebecca didn’t bother hiding her feelings. “I just hate the way you’re doing this.”

“Since I got back from that trip, I’ve been trying hard to treat you well.” With a sudden pull, Jeffrey trapped her in his arms. “If I’m falling short somewhere, tell me. I’ll try to make it up to you.”

She didn’t even feel like answering.

On Andrea, he wouldn’t compromise. On divorce, or making their relationship public, he wouldn’t budge. Since those things weren’t open for discussion, she had nothing to say.

“Say something,” Jeffrey pressed.

“Just be straight with me,” Rebecca said, tired of the back–and–forth. “What exactly do you want from me? Spell it out. And don’t drag up the past–be specific.

“I want you to kiss me, to hold me, to look at me with joy in your eyes. His whisper tickled her ear, deep and magnetic. “I want you to let me take you out on weekends…”

“Dream on,” Rebecca shot back before Jeffrey could finish.

Jeffrey didn’t seem bothered at all.

9:01 Tue, Sep 30

Chapter 176

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“What you want is nothing but

I’m here–hoping you’ll make my

pushed against him, trying to break free, but he didn’t

give you plenty of time to adjust,” he murmured, his arms holding her firmly, not painfully, but right enough to keep her from slipping away. “But that time

him to lay it

that time is up, if you’re still treating me like a stranger, then I’ll find my own way to make those dreams happen.” His tone stayed gentle, but the words were

me go first,” Rebecca said,

Jeffrey let her go.

her eyes. “So all this talk is just about your own selfish desires, isn’t

how much he tried to make it up to her, no matter how kind he acted, it was

Andrea wasn’t his family, yet he still kept her

1

without hesitation, though he didn’t really know what Rebecca was thinking. “As long as I can keep you by my side, I’ll use any means necessary–even if it makes

him before storming off. She couldn’t stand another second

she picked up a car in the garage and headed straight for

manor felt like nothing but

the window, watching her car grow smaller and smaller in the distance. His tone was unhurried as

appeared at once. “Mr.

put on a little show.” Jeffrey didn’t even have to guess–he knew that’s where she was

“Aren’t you

already angry?” Jeffrey shot

her, drew her closer. But if all she did was shut him out, then kindness

9:01 Tue, Sep 30

Chapter 176

that

his doubts. “How far should

“But don’t

Gregory nodded. “Got it.”

ta 55 valscher

no idea what Jeffrey was plotting. All she wanted now

work when Rebecca asked her out. When she saw the bar Rebecca had chosen, she raised a brow. “You? Asking me to meet here? What’s going

to drink?” Rebecca

fine.” Jessica slid into the seat

noticed she hadn’t ordered anything for herself, she

flatly, “Lemon juice. No