<b>Chapter </b><b>20 </b>


    <b>4970 </b>


    Reba gently stroked Samuel’s hair and chose not to tell him the truth. “I’ve got a lot to handle right now, so I won’t being back just yet. Be good at home, okay? Message me anytime if you need me.”


    Samuel nodded, wrapped his small arms around her, and nuzzled softly into her neck.


    “Good boy,” Reba whispered, and then saw him into the Hanson family’s car. She knew Jeffrey wouldn’t turn her away if she showed up with Samuel, but she had no intention of ever stepping back into that house again.


    Once Samuel’s car drove off, Reba headed to Jessica’s ce. She had thought about going straight to the hospital to settle Amelia’s surgery bill, but by the time she got there, it’d be nearly closed for the day.


    When Reba arrived at Jessica’s apartment, no one was home. She pulled out her phone and called Jessica, who picked up after just a second.


    “Where are you?” Reba asked.


    “Meeting with my dad,” Jessica said without hesitation. “If I don’te back tonight, make sure you lock up, okay?”


    Reba was just about to ask if it was because of her when Jessica spoke first. “Did you sell the ring?”


    “Yeah,” Reba replied. “200 thousand dors.”


    “Only 200 thousand?” Jessica couldn’t believe it–that ring was worth 30 million. “Stephen might as well have just robbed you blind.”


    “Did you go to see your dad?” Reba started, wanting to ask if this was somehow rted to her.


    Jessica had already guessed what she’d ask and cut her off before she could finish. “I’m driving right now. Let’s talk when I get back.”


    Reba didn’t push. After hanging up, she texted Jessica that everything was handled and reminded her to stay clear of any trouble with Stanley.


    Half an hourter, Jessica replied: [Don’t worry.] Then she went quiet.


    The next morning, Reba got up early, grabbed her bank card, and headed straight to the hospital. She wouldn’t feel easy until that money was safely


    in the hospital’s ount.


    But just as she arrived, she ran into the one person she really didn’t want to see: Andrea. Reba ignored her and made her way toward Timothy’s office.


    Just because Reba didn’t want drama, though, didn’t mean Andrea felt the same. She’de today looking for trouble–and she wasn’t about to let Reba slip by.


    “Where are you off to in such a hurry?” Andrea stepped right into Reba’s path, oozing superiority from head to toe. “How about we have a little chat?”


    Reba tried to step around her, but Andrea mirrored her move, not nning to let her go anytime soon.


    Reba stopped and shot her an icy look. “What exactly do you want?”


    Andrea was dressed in thetest designer wear, watching Reba like she was enjoying a show. “I heard you’ve been a little short on cashtely–even had to sell the wedding ring Jeffrey gave you. Looks like it’s not going too well, huh?”


    Reba didn’t hold back. “What’s it to you?”


    “If you really can’t sell it, I could buy it–for old times‘ sake,” Andrea said, flipping her auburn waves casually as she pulled out a ck gold card. “How does 1.5 million sound?”


    Reba went quiet. ‘Crap. I sold it too soon.‘


    20:26 Sun, 14 Sept


    0.49%


    <b>49</b><b>%</b>杯


    “If that’s not enough,” Andrea added, her tone dripping with mock sweetness, “I can go higher. All you have to do is call me Mrs. Hanson”


    Reba’s grip lightened around her phone. Why couldn’t this easy target have shown up earlier<i>?</i><i>‘ </i>


    “What do you think?” Andrea pressed, smiling smugly.


    “Do you love taking the things I don’t want?” Reba shot back with a cold smirk. Knowing the “buyer” wasn’t about to return the ring, she didn’t waste her breath arguing.


    Andrea’s face flushed with anger, but she forced herself to stay calm. “Still acting tough, aren’t you? Believe it or not, all it takes is one word from me, and Jeffrey will have your mom kicked out of this hospital.”


    Reba didn’t even nce her way and kept walking. She knew Jeffrey better than Andrea ever would.


    “You’re not Mrs. Hanson anymore. What are you so proud of?” Andrea grabbed Reba’s arm and yanked her back. “Jeffrey already threw you out and took back all your privileges.”


    “And?” Reba asked coolly. She’d stopped caring a long time ago.


    Andrea froze, the words sticking in her throat.


    “Seems like you still can’t break that habit–taking what I don’t want,” Reba said, hitting right where it hurt.


    Andrea couldn’t take it anymore. “What nonsense are you talking about?” she snapped.


    “I want neither the title of Mrs. Hanson nor Jeffrey,” Reba said. Her eyes drifted to the ck card in Andrea’s hand. “And I don’t want that fancy card of yours, either.”


    “Really? Then why do you still cling to Jeffrey and refuse to let go?” Andrea asked angrily.


    “Believe it or not, I could take back the Hanson name and that ck card with just one word,” Reba shot back, matching Andrea’s arrogant tone for


    tone.


    Andrea’s chest tightened with panic. She wanted to snap back, but deep down, she knew exactly how much Jeffrey still cared for Reba.


    ‘If Reba really asks, Jeffrey might just hand everything back. Then I’d be right back where I started–the hidden mistress. I hate thatbel. I’m the only one who deserves to be Mrs. Hanson,‘ Andrea thought, staring at Reba fiercely.


    Reba shook off her grip and turned to leave, not wanting to waste another second.


    “I won’t let you win.” Andrea clutched the card tightly, jealousy burning hotter than ever. “Jeffrey is mine–only mine!”


    With that, she suddenly lunged at Reba.


    Reba sidestepped just in time. Andrea stumbled hard onto the steps, scraping her knees and elbows. Blood instantly soaked through her clothes.


    “What is wrong with you?” Reba snapped. She really couldn’t understand what went through Andrea’s mind.


    “Do you think Jeffrey will still treat <i>you </i>the same when he knows how you pushed me and made me bleed like this?” Andrea asked, ignoring the blood trickling down her arm. She was determined to kick Reba out of Jeffrey’s life.


    Reba nced up at the security camera and said calmly, “There’s a camera right there.”


    “So what?” Andrea sneered. She’d already thought this through–she’d even picked the angle carefully. “From that distance, it can’t pick up our voices. It’ll just look like you pushed me.”


    Reba took another look and realized Andrea was right. But she had zero interest in ying these childish games. She had real things to deal with.


    Andrea mistook Reba’s silence for fear. She pulled out her phone and dialed Jeffrey. As soon as he answered, she bit her lip, forcing her voice to sound


    20:26 Sun, 14 Sept &


    weak and tearful. “Jeffrey, it hurts. Can youe be with me?”