After the divorce, he begged

Jeffrey sat beside her bed, countering with a question. “Why risk your safety so carelessly?”

“It wasn’t intentional,” she protested, having deliberately chosen the surveillance-blind spot. “I got distracted

missing you, and didn’t see the car. Ask Michelle if you don’t believe me.”

Jeffrey gazed at her with cold, emotionless eyes.

Andrea’s heart churned with unease, but she kept her composure. “It’s true.”

“I don’t tolerate lies.” Jeffrey's voice held an icy edge, speaking to her with unprecedented severity. “And | detest

tricks even more.”

“I'm not lying.” Andrea stared at the ground, convinced Jeffrey was bluffing. “I know reaching out that night

looked calculated, but | swear | wasn’t lying to you.”

The atmosphere around Jeffrey darkened instantly. Andrea had never seen him like this.

She mentally replayed every detail of that night, confirming there were no surveillance cameras before asking,

“Don’t you trust me?”

Jeffrey flicked a glance at Gregory, who immediately handed over a phone containing the full video evidence.

“What's this?” Andrea asked tentatively.

Jeffrey lifted his frosty gaze, uttering one word. “Proof.”

Andrea froze. Her heart pounded erratically in her chest.

She held her breath as her gaze locked onto the phone screen. Video after video flooded into view, tearing apart

the meticulous scenashe'd painstakingly constructed.

The compilation combined footage from multiple dashcams, revealing every angle with crystal clarity.

Andrea’s hands turned ice-cold as panic overwhelmed her injury’s pain. “Jeffrey, I...”

No defense seemed possible now. Any explanation would sound like feeble excuses.

“I know exactly what you're calculating.” Jeffrey’s stare chilled her like a stranger's. “Most would prioritize a car

accident over playing with children.”

“That's not...” Andrea’s thoughts tangled into impossible knots.

Jeffrey's lips thinned into a razor-edge, his sculpted features hardening as the temperature around him

plummeted.

Looking at him like this, Gregory was a little more worried in the depths of his eyes, afraid that he would return

to the state before he was with Rebecca.

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Chapter 78

Fi

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Outwardly similar to his current demeanor, that version of Jeffrey had been fundamentally hollow. Rebecca's

influence had thawed his humanity.

Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt

“It was momentary despair,” Andrea lied through mounting pressure. “My mental state's been fragile lately.

Trivial upsets trigger irrational impulses...”

Jeffrey didn’t hear the rest. A sharp voice resurfaced in his mind.

“Do you have to driveto death before you're satisfied?”

“Didn’t they tell you your mother’s been depressed and anxious? Make her worry less.”

“Jeffrey, when will you start acting responsibly?”

Memories buried deep within were dredged up by Andrea’s words, revealing vivid images of that perpetually

silent child.

“Sir...” Gregory sounded concerned.

“Go rest,” Jeffrey said tonelessly. “You're dismissed.”

Gregory remained. After years as his right-hand man, he recognized the subtle shift in his boss’s demeanor.

Something was wrong.

“Meettomorrow afternoon,” Jeffrey continued flatly. “There are matters to discuss.”

Gregory finally left. Jeffrey never repeated instructions. The command itself contained the warning.

Jeffrey hummed in acknowledgment.

Once he left, only Andrea and Jeffrey remained in the room.

Andrea felt uneasy, her earlier words met with silence. She couldn’t guess what Jeffrey was thinking.

“You're not fit for sightseeing in your current condition. We'll revisit this after recovery.” Jeffrey's deep voice

remained neutral. “It's late. Rest now.”

Andrea bit her lip, the intimidating aura preventing her from voicing her questions.

She realized her gambit backfired. Instead of earning Jeffrey’s affection, she'd created emotional distance

between them.

Andrea slept fitfully that night while Jeffrey remained awake, keeping vigil by her bedside.

Meanwhile, Rebecca slept soundly through the night.

At dawn'’s first light, Rebecca rose early. After breakfast with Samuel, she took him to the Reed residence. She'd

asked Samuel if he wanted to accompany her or stay halone for hours.

Samuel hadn't hesitated to pick staying with her.

Chapter 78

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She arrived at the Reed residence before nine. Though the interview initially stated 8 to 11 AM, Lucas had called

the next day, explaining Emily wanted extra sleep on Saturdays, adjusting the hours to 9 AM-12 PM. Since then,

Rebecca had arrived before nine daily.

Emily lit up seeing them, immediately pulling Rebecca toward the dance studio.

Lucas led Samuel to Emily’s study. “Feel free to use anything here. Askin the next room if you need

anything.”

“Okay,” Samuel answered politely. “Thank you.”

Lucas left without further interruption.

Throughout the morning, Rebecca taught Emily dance routines while Samuel quietly read books upstairs.

As the noon lesson concluded, Rebecca prepared to leave with Samuel when Lucas insisted they stay for lunch.

Despite her refusal, Emily’s enthusiastic persistence kept them at the residence.

Servants brought out lavish dishes one after another at the dining table.

Emily chatted animatedly with Rebecca throughout the meal, clearly adoring her. “Ms. Jensen, this must be

Samuel, right?”

Rebecca nodded. “Yes. You've met before.”

Back then, Jeffrey didn’t get along well with Emily’s father, so the children didn’t greet each other either. They'd

just exchanged glances from afar.

“| feel like...” Emily measured with her hands seriously. “He hasn't grown much taller since last time?”

The direct hit made Samuel drop his usual calm demeanor. “I did grow.”

Emily tilted her head doubtfully. “Did you?”

Samuel emphasized. “I did.”

“But last twe were about the sheight, now I'm slightly taller?” To prove her point, Emily stood up and

moved beside him.

“That's because Samuel's half a year

younger than you.” A gentle voice,

intervened as Stenérabpfoached in

his, Rind Rttire, lightly patting her

head with his large hand. “When you

were his age, you were shorter than

him.”

Emily nodded thoughtfully. “True.”

Samuel politely greeted, “Hi, sir.”

Rebecca also greeted him, “Stephen.”

“Sit and eat.” Stephen and Lucas Reed took their seats, his movements gentle. “Make yourselves at home, no

need for formalities.”

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Chapter 78

Rebecca and Samuel exchanged glances before picking up their forks to eat.

(50),

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Throughout the meal, Rebecca kept

worrying that Stephen might bring up

Jeffrey and Andreg's iyatioh? m

TopgH$dmblef knew about Jeffrey's

condition, understanding and hearing

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As dinner drew to a close, Rebecca's tense shoulders finally relaxed slightly.

After politely thanking their hosts

with Samuel, she considered finding

the right momept 10abR Leas about

Igvihg Stebhen approached her with

his customary mild tone. “Could we

step outside to discuss something?”

AD