After the divorce, he begged

Chapter 42

“Disagreeing with you makesstubborn?” Rebecca met Jeffrey’s icy stare, whispering, “And if things don’t go

your way. I'm just trying to upset you?”

Jeffrey’s grip on her gradually tightened.

She winced at the pain but held back her moans. “Jeffrey, can you stop acting childishly?”

“Do you know how many messes I’ve cleaned up for you lately?” Jeffrey held firm. “You really think Richard and

those from the private room just left you alone for no reason?”

Rebecca froze for a second.

Jeffrey explained, “It’s because | handled it all before it reached you. Even if you don’t do what | ask, I still don’t

want you to stress over things that don’t really matter.”

He was upset with her-for not listening, for being stubborn, but despite her tough attitude, he couldn't stop

wanting to protect her. All he could do was hope she’d choose to cback someday.

“Have you ever considered that your ‘help’ has broughtway more trouble than it's actually solved?” Rebecca

kept her voice calm and stopped resisting his hold.

Jeffrey's gaze deepened.

“If you'd stayed out of it, | could've sold that ring for a good price and found a job quickly. Even if my dad caused

trouble, Jessica would've supported me,” Rebecca said. “Honestly, I'd be better off now, not constantly fearing

you'd turn on me.”

“So that’s how you see it,” Jeffrey said, his grip still tense, the veins on the back of his hand standing out, but he

didn’t squeeze any harder.

Rebecca answered firmly, “Yes.”

Jeffrey’s voice grew heavy. “Have you ever thought what it'd be like if | wasn’t there to watch your back?”

“Not really,” Rebecca said. She'd never really had to fend for herself before. “But honestly, | think it'd still be

better than

this.”

Jeffrey finally let go, and Rebecca took the chance to get out of the car. She put sdistance between them,

making it clear she was wary of him.

Jeffrey didn’t care. He adjusted his cuffs and strode toward her, as steadily as always. “You can go

now.”

“You still owean answer about what you promised,” Rebecca pressed, wanting something definite,

“I won't interfere with your final interview, and | won't say a word to Richard about any of this,” Jeffrey replied,

his voice cool and distant, even more withdrawn than before. “Happy now?”

“Thank you, Mr. Hanson,” Rebecca replied.

Jeffrey's eyes grew even colder.

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Chapter 42

Rebecca turned and left without lingering. She still needed to head to the hospital to see how her mother was

doing

Watching Rebecca walk off without even a hint of regret, Jeffrey felt the air around him grow heavy. Just before

she reached the edge of the garage, he couldn't help but call out, “Rebecca.”

“Is there something else, Mr. Hanson?” Rebecca paused, turning cautiously. The breeze lifted her skirt around her

ankles and sent stray hairs across her forehead.

For a split second, Jeffrey seemed caught off guard, his expression distant and faintly lost.

They'd lived through this scene countless times, but it used to be different.

Back then, he'd softly call her name, and she'd turn with a bright smile and playful eyes, asking, “What is it?”

She was gentle, sweet, and a bit mischievous then-nothing like she was now.

“If there's nothing else, I'll just go,” Rebecca said, unable to handle the intensity of his gaze and quickly looking

away.

“Starting today, | won't shield you or make things harder,” Jeffrey said, granting the freedom she wanted. “But

for Samuel's sake, he'll stay withuntil the divorce is final.”

Rebecca shut it down instantly. “No.” She knew if Samuel went back to Jeffrey now, getting him back later would

be almost impossible.

Marcus and Candice had never been happy about Rebecca getting custody of Samuel. Even though Jeffrey had

talked to them, there was no guarantee they wouldn't say all sorts of nonsense to Samuel behind her back.

“I'm not asking,” Jeffrey said, his tone firm.

“How can you be so sure Samuel will have a stable life with you?” Rebecca pushed past her fear and spoke up.

“Don’t forget. You spend most of your free twith Andrea. Do you really want him to see you two all lovey-

dovey and inseparable?”

Jeffrey met her gaze, nearly snapping back at her calling him “lovey-dovey and inseparable” with Andrea. But he

held back and stayed silent.

“You can have someone keep an eye on him, but he’s staying with me,” Rebecca insisted.

Jeffrey saw that stubborn look. If he tried arguing, she'd just keep going. So he tossed out a flat, “Whatever.”

Rebecca sighed in relief. She'd worried she might lose this argument. If Jeffrey pushed, there was little she could

do. After all, they weren't divorced yet, and both had rights to Samuel.

After leaving the Harmony Estate, Rebecca headed straight to the hospital.

Jeffrey stood out in the yard, watching her leave until she finally disappeared from view. Only then did he pull out

his phone and call Stanley. “Don’t tell Richard anything about Rebecca.”

“Man, your decisions flip faster than the weather gods change their minds,” Stanley scoffed.

“Pull your guys back. No more surveillance,” Jeffrey said calmly. “Just treat him like any other employee at the

bar.”

15:35 Thu, 18 Sept

Chapter 42

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Stanley paused, a bit baffled. “If we

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“Just do it,” Jeffrey said, thinking, ‘Since she doesn’t want my help, I'll play along. Let's see how far she can go

on her own.

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Alright,” Stanley said, dropping the

topic. Since that hospital talk, En

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Jeffrey just replied with a nonchalant “Yeah.”

Stanley didn’t say another word. He simply told his guys to pull back.

After hanging up, Jeffrey stayed out in the yard, tapping out a quick message to Gregory.

Since Rebecca left, Andrea had come

downstairs and waited by the doy.

Only after Jeffrey finished his call did

she finaly work up the nerve to walk

over, clearly a bit uneasy under his

. . « »

imposing presence. “Jeffrey.” The

content is on novelenglish.net! Read

the latest chapter there!

Jeffrey looked up, caught the uneasy look on her face, and asked with concern, “What's wrong?”

“Nothing,” Andrea said, holding back her questions, too nervous to speak. “I just want you to know. You don’t

have to keep defending me. Rebecca is still your wife.”

Jeffrey didn’t say a word, but his natural authority flooded the space, pushing down on her.

Andrea’s fingers fidgeted nervously. Jeffrey had promised her a lifetof wealth and luxury, but he'd never

once called her Mrs. Hanson, or even his wife, not once.

As for him calling her the lady of Rebecca's Manor, he did it intentionally to provoke Rebecca. Andrea knew this

clearly, and Jeffrey knew she knew.

He'd designed the entire estate for Rebecca-green lawns, a grand villa, her favorite orchard, even a wine cellar.

Divorce or not, that place belonged to her alone.

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