After the divorce, he begged

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All Stanley got in response was the sound of Rebecca hanging up on him.

‘Wait, did she just hang up on me?‘ Stanley thought, stunned.

Stanley stared at Gregory in disbelief. “She actually hung up on me!”

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‘With a request that weird, isn’t it normal for her to hang up on you?‘ Gregory thought to himself.

But Gregory kept his thoughts to himself, just quietly sighing inside.

“Good thing I’m quick on my feet–I started recording as soon as she picked up,” Stanley said, feeling like he was practically bending over backwards for Jeffrey. ‘Seriously, with a buddy like me, Jeffrey should count his blessings,‘ he thought.

He pushed open the door to the private room.

The air inside was thick with tension. Everyone at the table was a big shot in their field, but right now, they were all holding their breath, intimidated by Jeffrey’s presence.

As soon as Stanley walked in, everyone shot him desperate, pleading looks, silently begging for help.

Stanley walked over to Jeffrey, sat down beside him, and leaned in to whisper, “I just called Rebecca. She told me straight up–she’s not in Jelasburg anymore.”

Jeffrey didn’t even blink, his eyes cool and unreadable.

“Seriously, if you don’t believe me, I can play you the recording,” Stanley said.

“And who are you to her, exactly?” Jeffrey said, his tone icy, keeping everyone at arm’s length.

“I’m her…” Stanley started to say “friend,” but then hesitated. ‘Wait, am I really her friend?‘ he thought. “Her husband’s friend?” he finally said.

“Why do you think she’d tell you where she is, just because you’re her husband’s friend?” Jeffrey replied coolly, not rushing his words. “This is her seat. Move.”

Stanley was stunned for a moment, at a loss for words..

Stanley let out a slow breath, slipped a Bluetooth earpiece into Jeffrey’s ear, and quickly hit play on the call recording with Rebecca.

“Mr. Garcia,” came Rebecca’s voice through the earpiece.

“Did you leave Jelasburg?” Stanley asked on the recording.

“Yes,” Rebecca replied.

Stanley paused the recording. “See? Now do you believe me?”

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cold as midnight. He yanked out the earpiece, tossed it back

patience. I’ve never seen anyone so stubborn, he thought. “She’s gone, okay? She’s not in Jelasburg anymore. You could sit here all night and she

Jeffrey replied,

was holding his

hit him, and

anyone this impossible

“Gregory,” Jeffrey called out.

walked in right away, face as calm and

with his phone. “Go wait by the door. If she shows up,

Boss,”

thought, just staring

Gregory out of the

a knot. “Is he crazy? And what’s wrong

told Mr. Hanson earlier that she’s busy today and doesn’t need him to pick her up,” Gregory

then what?‘

calmly, “Boss won’t leave until it’s 5:30, no matter

and completely at a

he seriously out of his mind?‘ Stanley thought, unable

budge. Out of options,

sounded distracted when he picked up, barely pausing whatever he

Stanley exaggerated. “Seriously, can you come over

typing as he replied, totally unfazed.

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Chapter 207

mean it!”

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ship him off to a mental hospital or something.

I’m

is everyone like this?‘ Stanley thought, totally

normal for once?‘ he muttered under his

buying it,” Riley said, eyes glued to the screen, still finding time to poke fun. “You care about that guy way too much–like you’d actually

a curse

he thought,

swear, this whole bunch is

to a sane person here. “You’re seriously sure he’ll leave

said. After all these years with Jeffrey, he felt

it was almost five, and tried to keep his cool. “I’ll wait another thirty minutes. If he’s still here after

stood

to go that far, honestly,’ he

Time was crawling by.

hours flew past when he was having fun, but now, even after all this waiting, barely half an hour had gone

would be in a rotten mood once he finally came out, so he texted Riley again: [When you’re done, get over here. Not for him, then do

Riley didn’t reply.

forever, half

room. He leaned in close to Jeffrey and whispered, “Ms.

calm, completely devoid

in the room felt a chill run down

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