After the divorce, he begged

“I wonder how he felt when he learned | rejected him,” Lucas mused aloud while tapping his phone to send a

message to Jeffrey.

Stephen's pale lips curved slightly. “Most likely no emotional reaction at all.”

Lucas was confused. “How could that be?”

Facts proved that Stephen understood Jeffrey best.

Jeffrey had returned to the Hanson Group from PrimePlay Technologies before noon for an important board

meeting. After concluding the session, he noticed the message while discussing business matters with Stanley in

his expansive CEO office.

Stanley glanced at his illuminated phone. “Should you

check

your message first?”

Jeffrey maintained composure. “It’s from Lucas.”

Stanley asked, “What's it about?”

“He rejected my proposal.” Jeffrey absorbed the content with peripheral vision. “He won't dismiss Rebecca.”

“After all, he’s Stephen’s man. If he really fired Rebecca just because you said so, that'd be a betrayal of his

friend.” Stanley analyzed the situation clearly, pointing out the key points.

Jeffrey continued reviewing project details. “I know.”

“Then why confront him...?” Stanley looked perplexed. Going despite knowing the unfavorable outcdidn’t

match Jeffrey’s usual style.

“To assess how important Joanna is to him,” Jeffrey replied calmly, maintaining perfect composure. “And have

strategies ready if situations change.”

“But he refused,” Stanley reminded him kindly.

Jeffrey's eyes met Stanley’s. “Do you know why | never take your advice on relationships?”

Stanley answered earnestly, “You think I'm always wrong.”

“From your observation,” Jeffrey casually asked, though his expression turned serious, “does Lucas care about

Joanna?”

“Not particularly,” Stanley answered based on witnessed events. “He wouldn't have fought her for Emily's

custody years ago, nor left her overseas this long if he did.”

Lucas’s was notorious enough for overseas observers like Stanley to know every detail.

“This is why | never take your advice,” Jeffrey answered the question. “You don’t get it at all.”

Stanley looked astonished.

“If he really didn’t care about Joanna, he wouldn't have reacted so strongly when | mentioned her, and he

wouldn't have hesitated so long before answering a simple question,” Jeffrey said.

Stanley wanted to argue, but realized he couldn't find a starting point. “What if you're wrong?”

Jeffrey said, “Stephen used his resources to investigate Joanna these past few days.”

Stanley pressed, “So?”

Jeffrey’s unfinished words hung in the air as his gaze shifted through complex emotions.

“Why stare at me?” Stanley persisted with his questioning.

“With Lucas’s capabilities, he could’ve uncovered most things himself.” Jeffrey initially ignored him but

reconsidered, valuing their friendship. “Stephen’s involvement is likehelping you with investigations.”

Stanley half-understood. He knew Stephen's intervention indicated importance, but couldn't get it. He thought,

‘If she’s important, why doesn’t Lucas actively pursue reconciliation? Shouldn't he make more effort to earn

forgiveness when he cares for her?”

“Do you have anything else to say?” Jeffrey asked while finishing his current tasks.

“No,” Stanley replied.

He thought Lucas was insane, and so was Jeffrey. Their insane behaviors and actions made no sense to him, and

that was exactly how it was.

With the complex mix of emotions, Stanley left the Hanson Group, his mind stirring with turbulent thoughts.

‘Before that incident, Jeffrey had struggled but remained mentally stable. After the accident, he beca

completely different person.

‘lI thought Rebecca’s appearance would change him. During their marriage, he acted like a normal person,

treating Rebecca with unparalleled affection as the perfect husband. But now it turns out that things have gotten

worse.

Jeffrey spent the afternoon handling major affairs at the Hanson Group, leaving less critical matters to Gregory,

Gregory entered Jeffrey's office before he left. “Sir...”

“What is it?” Jeffrey asked.

“Mr. Marcus Hanson wasn’t pleased about the anniversary celebration of PrimePlay Technologies,” Gregory said

in his usual professional tone. “He requests your return call.”

Jeffrey replied indifferently, “No time.”

Gregory continued, “He said if you didn’t return his call, he and your mother would go see Ms. Jensen.”

Chapter 67

55 vouchers

Jeffrey glanced up, his previously calm eyes turning icy as danger radiated from him. “Tell them I'm not above

making their lives miserable if they keep testing me. Sentimentality isn’t in my nature.”

“They're waiting in the conference room,” Gregory said nervously.

Jeffrey's glare made Gregory shrink under the oppressive atmosphere.

Knowing his parents were behind it,

Jeffrey didn't blhis assistant for

the poor timing. Before hearing to

the eonferencehe said, “You

report to me, Gregory. Others’

opinions don’t matter, not even

theirs.” The content is on

novelenglish.net! Read the latest

chapter there!

“Understood,” Gregory responded.

When Jeffrey entered, Marcus and Candice were sitting in the conference room-the former was fuming while the

latter was trying to calm him down with complex expressions.

Both of them looked up abruptly as the door opened, meeting their son’s impassive gaze.

“Jeffrey...” Candice began hesitantly.

“Are you involved in the anniversary celebration of PrimePlay Technologies?” Marcus suppressed his fury upon

sensing Jeffrey’s intimidating aura.

Jeffrey glanced at them. Just as they thought he might offer an explanation, he instructed his staff, “Escort them

out.”

“Yes, sir.” Four bodyguards promptly appeared.

Marcus's suppressed anger flared, but he only dared to vent it slightly. “What are you doing? Don’t forget I'm

your father.”

“If it weren't for your status, my order

would've been to Taos Quband

dump Ry nthe ste “not to

‘Secbrt you out.” Jeffrey stood at the

door, his figure imposing. The

content is on novelenglish.net! Read

the latest chapter there!

Marcus retorted, “You little-*

Candice’s eyes flickered with sorrow. “Can’t you have a proper conversation with your parents?”

After their last call, they'd hoped their son was opening up. Yet it turned out things remained unchanged.

“Don’t touch Rebecca,” Jeffrey warned with unprecedented seriousness. “If anything happens to her because of

you, I'll repay every grievance from the past.”

Marcus, though not in their circle,

knew enough. “You've had ead

harass heryourseiDidokat your

réeent actions. Is this how the CEO of

the Hanson Group should behave?”

Jeffrey was working for another company and helping organize their anniversary celebration. Marcus had never

seen anyone do something so utterly senseless.

Chapter 68