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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gaze, speaking slowly. “What you

unfazed. “That’s why I’m here–hoping you’ll make my

pushed against him, trying to break free, but

but right enough to keep her from slipping away. “But that time isn’t for you to figure out

expected him to lay it all

me like a stranger, then I’ll find my own way to

first,” Rebecca said, avoiding his

Jeffrey let her go.

all this talk is just

matter how much he tried to make it up to her, no matter how kind he acted, it was still only about having both a wife and a

that didn’t change what he was. Andrea wasn’t his family, yet he still kept her on his payroll. At the core,

1

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 you hate me in the

before storming off. She couldn’t stand another

a car in

manor felt like nothing

her car grow smaller and smaller in the distance. His tone was

appeared at once. “Mr.

she meets up with Jessica, send people to put on a little show.” Jeffrey didn’t even have to guess–he knew that’s where she was going. “Let her understand what it means to break our

you worried she’ll be

already angry?”

had all the patience in the world to coax her, to shower her with care–so long as it softened her, drew her closer. But

9:01 Tue, Sep 30

Chapter 176

him, that meant she

“How

don’t lay a finger

Gregory nodded. “Got it.”

ta 55 valscher

had no idea what Jeffrey was plotting. All she wanted now was

had just wrapped up work when Rebecca asked her out. When she saw the bar Rebecca had chosen, she raised

want to drink?” Rebecca asked

Jessica slid into the seat across

Jessica noticed she hadn’t ordered anything

replied flatly, “Lemon juice.