<b>Chapter </b><b>18 </b>


    Reba shot a look at Jessica.


    Jessica was focused on the road, talking a mile a minute. Finally, she asked, “So, what do you think? Can you live with that?”


    “You’re the one who bought it, aren’t you?” Reba called her out without holding back. But deep down, she felt grateful to have a friend like Jessica.


    “What?” Jessica tried to look cool.


    Reba didn’t want to drag her any deeper into this. “Jeffrey already told me everything. As long as he says no, nobody dares buy that ring. In the wholepany, you’re the only one who’d risk pissing him off to help me.”


    “You’re such an idiot,” Jessica said, still ying it cool. “Okay, maybe people are scared of him–but not his enemies. They wouldn’t think twice.”


    Just then, her phone lit up with notifications. Each message said her cards were frozen.


    There was also a text from Eugene: [I froze your ounts. Jeffrey just made it clear–none of us is to get involved in Reba’s business, or ourpany will face consequences we can’t handle.


    [If you need anything during this time, let me know. I’ll take care of it.]


    Both Jessica and Reba fell silent.


    Jessica pulled into the parking lot, still making excuses. “What if I told you this was just another one of my dad’s stupid jokes? Would you believe me?”


    “Sure,” Reba said smoothly, then quickly added, “Not.”


    Jessica was about to lose it. She didn’t even care that Reba saw right through her lie. Grabbing her phone, she dialed Eugene.


    ‘My cards are frozen. How am I going to transfer 3 million to Reba now?‘ she thought.


    Reba reached over and ended the call.


    “What are you doing?” Jessica asked, totally confused.


    “You’ve already done more than enough,” Reba said. She had seen the messages and knew Jeffrey wanted her to stand on her own. “I’ll take it from here.”


    “And how exactly are you gonna do that?” Jessica asked sharply. “Can’t <i>you </i>see? Jeffrey’s cutting off all your options so you have no choice but to go back to being his little trophy. Don’t pretend you don’t see what he’s doing.”


    Of course, Reba could see it.


    When Jeffrey blocked her from getting a job, she thought he was just being petty–angry that she’d refused his terms during the divorce and bruised his


    ego.


    –


    But now with her mom in deep trouble, and Jeffrey’s words echoing in her ears, the way he held her trapped that day–it all finally made sense. Not to mention everything she’d just gone through.


    “It’s exactly because I see it that you can’t get involved,” Reba said, trying to keep her tone light. “You’re myst real backup. I can’t afford to lose you this early.”


    Jessica wanted to argue, “Jeffrey can’t take me down that easily.” But then she remembered–he had frozen all her ounts with several words. She had noeback.


    She knew if he really came for her, her entertainmentpany would be crushed in less than a week. The Scott Group wouldn’t stand a chance either. This man had influence everywhere. Whatever he wanted, happened.


    “Starting today, let’s keep things casual, like we used to be,” Reba said calmly. She understood exactly how Jeffrey operated, and she was ready to face him alone. “You can help nie pick up Samuel if I’m busy, but don’t get involved in anything else.”


    “But…” Jessica started, frustration simmering. For the first time, she hated feeling so powerless.


    Reba gave her forehead a gentle tap. “Be good.”


    “At least tell me what trouble you’re in,” Jessica insisted. She couldn’t rx without knowing. “Why are you so desperate to sell the ring?”


    “My mom took a turn for the worse. She needs surgery now,” Reba exined honestly. “It’s going to cost at least 150 thousand.”


    Jessica immediately pulled out her phone to transfer money. Sure, her cards were frozen, but there was still some cash in her digital wallet.


    Reba stopped her.


    “Saving your momes first,” Jessica said, all hesitation gone. ‘If Jeffrey has a problem with it, let hime at me,‘ she thought.


    “It’s okay,” Reba said calmly, her voice firm. “I’ve got a n.”


    Jessica looked skeptical. “What n? You’re not thinking of going back to Jeffrey, are you? I’d rather deal with him myself than watch you do that.”


    “I’m going to Stephen, Jeffrey’s brother,” Reba said. She’d gotten the idea right when she heard Jessica talking about rivals.


    “300 thousand for something worth 30 million?” Reba grinned. “He won’t say no. Especially since Jeffrey cklisted me everywhere—Stephen loves messing with him.”


    “But Stephen’s not exactly safe either,” Jessica frowned. She didn’t know much, but the rumors were enough. “Won’t Jeffrey lose it if he finds out you went to Stephen?”


    The rivalry between the Hanson brothers was an open secret in their circle. If Reba went to Stephen, she was basically jumping out of one hell and straight into another.


    But she had no other choice. She couldn’t let her best friend take the fall for her–and she definitely couldn’t leave her mother behind.


    That night, Reba had a message delivered to Stephen. She was gambling–betting everything on Jeffrey’s pride and possessiveness–he wouldn’t let her get near Stephen, and especially not let the ring end up in Stephen’s hands.


    If she won the bet, Amelia’s surgery was paid for. If she lost, she could sell the ring anyway.


    Before the news could reach Stephen, Jeffrey had already caught wind of it.


    Sitting in a velvet booth in the dimly lit bar, Jeffrey listened to his subordinate’s report. His eyes turned cold, and his grip tightened around his ss.


    “I told you not to push Reba so hard,” Stanley said from across the table, pouring himself a drink. “Now look–if she really goes to Stephen, good luck figuring out what to do.”


    “She wouldn’t dare,” Jeffrey said, his voice icy.


    “Oh, really?” Stanley said sarcastically, taking his sweet time. “Then why did she send word to him?”


    Jeffrey’s expression darkened. He never expected Reba to challenge him like this.


    “If you really want to stop her, have someone buy that ring now,” Stanley suggested bluntly. “Once she connects with Stephen, it’s over.”


    “You do it,” Jeffrey ordered without a second thought.


    Stanley stared at him in disbelief. “You do remember I helped you mess with her earlier today, right? You sure she won’t run the second she sees me?”


    “Send someone pretending to be Stephen’s man. Offer her 200 thousand,” Jeffrey said coolly. His head was totally stuck on making Reba learn a


    Lesson


    “You’re serious?” Stanley asked carefully.


    Jeffrey looked up, his gaze intense. “Do I sound like I’m jaking?


    Stanley was left speechless. He got to his feet, grumbling. “Like I owe you some huge favor or something”


    “Wait,” Jeffrey called out just as Stanley turned to leavt


    “What now<i>? </i>Spit it out,” Stanley sand impatiently


    “Don’t make the lowball offer too slows keep i matural Jeey warned. He had to admit, he was almost impressed with Reba’s maneuvering


    €8