After the divorce, he begged

Chapter 300

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Emotion flashed in Karen's eyes, and she unconsciously pressed her lips together.

“Don’t worry, | won't let him take you away,” Rebecca said, instantly picking up on Karen's thoughts. Then she

told Mark, who was driving, “Step on it. Let's get there before Stephen does.”

Mark replied quickly, “Got it.”

He pressed down on the gas, and the car shot forward, much faster than before.

Inside the car, a heavy silence hung in the air.

Ever since that call, Karen hadn't said a single word-she just stared out the window, quiet and withdrawn, all the

way to Rebecca’s Manor.

After they got out of the car, Rebecca was going to ask Victor to keep Stephen out if he showed up, but then she

realized that everyone was probably a bit nervous around him. So she delegated the task to Mark instead.

“If Stephen suddenly shows up, make sure he doesn’t go upstairs,” Rebecca instructed.

Mark answered quickly, “Got it.”

Rebecca scanned the room and added, “He’s only allowed in the living room. If he wants to see Kar him to wait

until I cdownstairs.”

Mark nodded. “Sure.”

St tell

Rebecca glanced at Karen and added one last reminder to Mark, “No matter what he asks, don’t say a word. Just

wait forto cdown-lethandle everything.”

“Understood,” Mark replied, completely prepared to do exactly as she said.

Rebecca nodded and repeated her instructions to Victor and the others.

Stephen was sharp, just like Jeffrey-he never missed a detail. If anything seemed off, he'd see right through my

excuse about the car, and he’d probably catch onto Karen pretending to faint too.

As for herself, Rebecca wasn’t worried-Stephen wouldn't dare mess with her.

But the person Rebecca was mostly worried about was Karen.

“Cwith me,” Rebecca said, leading Karen upstairs.

During the whole walk, Karen never took her eyes off Rebecca. They barely knew each other-their first meeting

had been in the hospital, and before that, every bit of information Karen had about Rebecca was straight out of

Stephen's stories.

Now, looking at her up close....

Rebecca was nothing like the helpless canary Stephen always talked about.

‘Men. You just can’t trust a single word they say,’ Karen thought to herself.

“You'll be staying here tonight,” Rebecca said, leading her into the guest room. “There are new clothes in the

closet-feel free to change. The toiletries are in the cabnext to the bathroom.”

Karen thought Rebecca was really gentle. “Okay.”

Rebecca handed her a set of skincare products. “No matter what happens, just stay in this room.”

“What if Stephen comes...” Karen murmured, her voice soft with worry.

“This is Rebecca’s Manor. Honestly, he’s not likely to cbarging in here,” Rebecca reassured her. “Just stay

quiet and you'll be fine.”

Karen agreed.

Once Rebecca finished giving her instructions, she was about to head out.

‘I really should think of a way to handle Stephen before he gets here,’ Rebecca thought to herself.

Karen called out to her, “Rebecca.”

“Hm?” Rebecca glanced back, her vibe an unexpected blend of playful sweetness and seasoned confi

“Aren’t you at all curious about what's really going on between Stephen and me?” Karen ventured, sensing that

her actions—and that call-had probably given everything away. There was no way someone as sharp as Rebecca

hadn’t already picked up on it.

“It's your business,” Rebecca shrugged, clearly not the type to snoop. “I'm not here to pry.”

Karen hesitated, lips pressed tight, then finally murmured the words she'd uttered most tonight, “Thank you.”

With a gentle nod, Rebecca signaled for Karen to get srest and quietly slipped out the door.

The first tRebecca met Karen, she was in a white dress-so quiet and gentle. But today, Karen was dressed

much more formally and carried herself with a confidence sharpened by determination; her beauty had a

commanding edge to it.

Rebecca had barely closed the door when Stephen showed up.

He was wearing a custom gray suit, silver-rimmed glasses on his nose, his expression as serene and composed

as ever.

He strode past Mark and asked Victor, “Where's Rebecca?”

Victor replied politely, “Ms. Jensen is upstairs.”

Stephen started heading upstairs like he owned the place, but Mark quickly stepped in front of him, blocking

his way.

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Chapter 300

Stephen paused and shot him a questioning look.

He stared at Mark, a face he barely recognized.

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Before Stephen could say anything, Mark cut in, “Sir, upstairs is off-limits unless the owner invites you. You can’t

just barge in.”

“Do you even know who | am?” Stephen asked, his lips barely moving.

“More or less,” Mark answered deadpan, his lips barely moving. “You're Rebecca’s ex's brother.”

Stephen blinked.

Victor and the others exchanged baffled glances.

Everyone paused, totally thrown off by Mark's reply.

“Please, have a seat on the couch,” Mark said, all business. “If you've got something to say, I'll relay your

message.”

Stephen fixed him with a stare, the pressure behind those glasses almost suffocating.

Mark didn’t bat an eye.

“Did Rebecca bring a woman home?” Stephen asked, his tone dropping a notch. He was starting to su guy was

someone Jeffrey had planted to watch over Rebecca.

“That's Ms. Jensen’s private matter. I'm not authorized to answer that,” Mark replied, sounding robotic- strictly

by the book. “If you need an answer, | can relay your question.”

Stephen's gaze chilled even further.

“Anything else you'd like to ask?” Mark asked, his voice calm but unyielding.

Stephen stared right back at him, eyes cold and silent, refusing to answer. ‘Does this guy really think he can

block me?’ he thought darkly.

“If you have no further questions, please take a seat over there. I'll go upstairs and let her know what you want,

Mark said, not budging an inch.

“That's all,” Stephen said coolly and turned toward the couch.

Mark replied, “Alright,” and started up the stairs, only to be overtaken by Stephen’s swift silhouette charging

past him up the steps.

Watching Stephen once again ignore basic manners, Mark hurried up and blocked him at the stairs, putting on a

businesslike, stern attitude. “Mr. Hanson, don’t you think you're being a bit out of line?”

“What's going on here?” Rebecca asked, coming over to see the two men squared off.

Stephen didn’t bother with pleasantries. “Where's Karen?” he demanded.

is

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Chapter 300

Mark called out right away, “Boss, he’s being really disrespectful.”

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Mark doubled down, unwilling to let it slide. “He agreed to sit on the couch, then tried to sneak upstairs the

moment | turned my back. People who can’t follow the rules really shouldn't be here-do you wantto kick him

out?”

“What do you think you're doing?” Rebecca asked Stephen, her tone calm but unmistakably firm.

“How is Karen?” Stephen asked, his voice steady.

“She fainted from exhaustion. She just needs a good night's sleep,” Rebecca replied, stepping forward. “Let's

talk downstairs-she needs her rest.”

“You can just lettake her,” Stephen said, still carrying that gentle, polished air. “There’s no need for you to

go to any more trouble.”

Rebecca stared at him, her eyes clear and unwavering.

She didn’t say a word.

But Stephen still felt her eyes were really getting under his skin.

“Is there a problem?” Stephen asked.

“So, what's your relationship with Karen?” Rebecca asked deliberately. She knew Stephen well-he would never

admit it. As long as he refused, she'd have every reason not to let him take Karen away.

Stephen fixed her with a piercing stare behind his glasses, his gaze sharp and assessing.

Rebecca stared right back at him, refusing to look away.

Neither of them was willing to back down.

After a long, tense moment...

Stephen adjusted his glasses, his tone as cool and familiar as ever. “Don’t you already know?”

Rebecca shot back, with the sline she'd used at the hospital, “Friends?”

“Yeah, Stephen said, sounding a little absent-minded, but his voice stayed cool and detached. “Can | take Karen

now?”

“No,” Rebecca replied, crisp and unwavering.

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