As Reba was deep in discussion with Timothy about Amelia’s surgery, Jeffrey arrived. He was still wearing an expensive custom–tailored suit, his expression unchanged and aposed as ever.


    The moment Andrea saw him, she struggled to her feet–putting on a pained yet brave face. “Jeffrey,” she murmured.


    Timothy quickly greeted, “Mr. Hanson.”


    “What happened?” Jeffrey walked over to Andrea, his eyes settling on her freshly bandaged injuries.


    “I heard Reba has been struggling to cover her mom’s surgery costs, so I wanted to see if I could help,” Andrea said, giving Reba a loaded look. “After all, we used to be friends,”


    Jeffrey stayed silent, waiting for her to finish her thought.


    Andrea went on, “But the moment she saw me, she lost it. She called me a homewrecker and even said-” Her voice broke off as tears filled her eyes. She covered her face and sobbed, like she couldn’t bear to say the rest.


    Jeffrey gently guided her to sit on a nearby chair, his hand resting on her shoulder. “What did she say?”


    “She said I only take things she doesn’t want–the title of Mrs. Hanson, the ck card you gave me, and even you.” Andrea’s voice trembled, tears now streaming freely.


    She took a deep breath and continued, “I can handle her insults toward me, but how could she talk about you that way?”


    Jeffrey looked up at Reba. Though his expression remained calm and he didn’t say a word, she could feel the cold intensity in his gaze.


    Timothy felt the pressure in the room drop suddenly. It became hard to breathe.


    Andrea’s voice trembled. “I couldn’t help talking back a little. But she acted all high and mighty, saying that with just one word from her, everything you gave me would go right back to her.”


    She looked up at Jeffrey, her eyes filled with tears. “But I don’t care about any of that stuff–I just want to be with you.”


    Instantly, a chill seemed to sweep through the room.


    Jeffrey’s eyes stayed fixed on Reba, calm but icy. “I’m curious, Ms. Jensen. How do you n on taking everything from Andrea and having it all returned to you with just ‘one word“?”


    Reba opened her mouth to respond, then stopped. As twisted as Andrea’s version was, the core of it was true.


    “Jeffrey.” Andrea tugged gently on his sleeve.


    Jeffrey’s expression softened almost imperceptibly. “I’m here.”


    “Reba didn’t mean it. Please don’t be upset with her, okay?” Andrea said softly,ying another usation gently into ce. “She’s just so worried about her mom that she lost her temper and pushed me.”


    “If I were in her position, I might have done worse. She paused, adding innocently, “I’m just telling you all this because I want you tofort me.”


    “She pushed you?” Jeffrey repeated, his voice low and dangerous. “Is that how you got hurt?”


    Andrea hesitated, ncing toward Reba with feigned reluctance. “It was an ident. I tried to stop her so we could talk properly, but she just…” She let her words fade, leaving a heavy silence in their wake.


    Jeffrey didn’t speak, but the ice in his eyes said more than enough.


    QUIL, 14 <b>Qepi </b>


    “I admit we argued, but I never pushed her,” Reba stated firmly. She hadn’t yet learned to navigate deception and maniption, and her honesty caine off almost as naivety. “If you don’t believe me, check the security footage.”


    Jeffrey rose to his feet and walked toward her, each step feeling like it was stepping on her heart. “Have I been too lenient with youtely? So you think you can act without consequences?”


    “Lenient?” Reba’s voice turned sharp. “You call cheating lenient? Transferring marital assets behind my back lenient? Sabotaging every job opportunity I get lenient? If that’s your idea of leniency, then I’m begging you–stop going easy on me.”


    “As you wish,” Jeffrey replied coldly. He was convinced she needed to be put in her ce.


    Reba turned away, done with the drama. Ignoring the tense atmosphere and the weight of Jeffrey’s stare, she took a steadying breath and refocused on Timothy. “Let’s continue, Dr. Johnson.”


    Timothy swallowed nervously. He couldn’t ignore the tensioning from Jeffrey and was about to suggest that Reba leave so they could talk


    another time.


    Just then, Jeffrey’s voice cut through the silence. “Timothy.”


    “Yes, Mr. Hanson?” Timothy responded immediately.


    “From now on<i>, </i>you’re off Amelia’s case,” Jeffrey said to Timothy, though his eyes never left Reba. “Assign another doctor.“..


    “Well…” Timothy nced instinctively at Reba.


    Reba’s chest tightened. “Timothy has been overseeing my mom’s care for years. Why reassign him now?” she blurted out.


    Ever since the ident that left Amelia in aa, Timothy had handled everything–from daily monitoring to emergency surgeries.


    ‘Switching doctors at this point? What will happen to Mom’s surgery?‘ Reba’s mind raced with panic.


    “Didn’t you ask me to stop going easy on you?” Jeffrey’s voice was cold and precise. “Consider it done. All special arrangements for you and your mother are now canceled–including any preferential treatment at this hospital.”


    Timothy frowned, about to speak up for Reba. “Mr. Hanson…”


    “If you insist on continuing to treat Amelia, consider yourself fired,” Jeffrey said coldly. “Your severance will be deposited after you’re gone.”


    Timothy fell silent. This was a top–tier private hospital owned by the Hanson Group, and Jeffrey could fire anyone with a single word. After all, he was the one who’d originally recruited every doctor with lucrative offers.‘


    Reba hadn’t expected Jeffrey to go this far. She knew it wasn’t just because of what she’d said he was doing this for Andrea.


    “Jeffrey,” Andrea called, limping slightly as she walked over and tugged his sleeve. “Reba doesn’t always think before she speaks. Please don’t take it


    to heart. This is about her mother’s life, after all.”


    “She made her choice. Now she can live with the consequences,” Jeffrey said, his voice icy.


    Andrea continued softly, “Then let her face those consequences herself. But Amelia shouldn’t have to suffer for it, right?” She gave his arm a gentle, pleading shake.


    Jeffrey’s gaze shifted from Reba to Andrea. “After everything she’s said and done to you, why are you still defending her?”


    “We used to be friends. Even if she resents me now, I can’t forget the good times,” Andrea said, her voice tender. “And Amelia was always so kind to me. Please, don’t make things harder for her.”


    “Okay,” Jeffrey agreed.


    Andrea held his arm and smiled gently, “I knew you’d understand.”


    20:26 Sun, 14 Sept


    Timothy let out a quiet sigh of relief and nced toward Reba.


    Reba’s eyes remained fixed on the two standing intimately close. Her beautiful face showed no emotion–only a deep, weary numbness.


    “I don’t need your phony pity,” she snapped, her eyes–once clear and pure–now cold and steely.


    “Ms. Jensen.” Timothy gently touched her arm.


    494335


    “Name your terms,” Reba said, her gaze locked on Jeffrey. She despised Andrea’s maniptive kindness and wanted <i>no </i>part of it. “What will it take to have Dr. Johnson stay on my mother’s case?”


    “Beg me,” Jeffrey replied, his eyes hard. “And apologize to Andrea.” He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. “Or, however much blood she lost today, you repay it tenfold.”


    ZV.24


    ??