<b>Chapter </b><b>28 </b>


    “If that’s your excuse, then go to the hospital and apologize to Mom,” Reba said, her voice clear and unwavering.


    Richard set down his ss and slowly rose to his feet.


    Reba thought he was about to go with her, only to see the guilt on his face vanish–reced by something dark and cold.


    “You think Amelia deserves my apology?” Richard took a step closer, his mask slippingpletely. “Let me remind you: if I hadn’t left you two in Jsburg, you would never have met someone like Jeffrey.”


    Reba finally realized Richard wasn’t here to make things right.


    “You should thank me,” Richard went on, his voice growing louder. “I’m the reason you got to live the high life as Mrs. Hanson.”


    “I can’t believe Mom ever loved someone like you,” Reba said, thest trace of warmth draining from her voice. She


    turned to leave.


    “Watch your mouth!” Richard snapped. He grabbed her arm and shoved her back onto the couch. “Remember who put a roof over your head all those years.”


    Reba was about to fire back when he cut her off, “I heard you divorced Jeffrey.”


    Reba frowned. ‘The divorce is something barely anyone knew about–so how did he?‘


    “Let’s cut the crap,” Richard said coldly. The earlier grief was gone, reced by pure calction. “I’m here for your divorce settlement. I don’t want it all–just give me seventy percent.”


    “Then you’ll be disappointed.” Reba got to her feet, her voice dripping with cold mockery. “Jeffrey didn’t give me a


    dime.”


    ??


    “Cut the nonsense. My patience is about to run out,” Richard said, his expression hardening.


    At that moment, Reba almost felt grateful she hadn’t gotten a divorce settlement.


    “If you know about the divorce, then you should also know I had to sell the wedding ring to cover Mom’s surgery,” She sneered. “If I’d gotten any money, why would I have needed to do that?”


    Richard studied her face carefully, searching for any hint of a lie. But her eyes were steady and cold–dead serious.


    He’d heard she sold the multi–million–dor ring for far less than it was worth. He assumed it was because Jeffrey had given her so much that a few million meant nothing. He never imagined the truth was this pathetic.


    “He really gave you nothing?” Richard asked onest time.


    “If you don’t believe me, go ask Jeffrey yourself,” Reba said, done with the talk. She turned to leave, ready to cut Richard out of her life for good.


    She just couldn’t understand why Richard, who had been good to her throughout her childhood, would <b>abandon </b><b>her </b><b>and </b>


    her mom the moment things got tough–were all those happy memories just an act?


    “Since Jeffrey didn’t give you anything,” Richard snarled, grabbing Reba’s arm and staring hard at her stunning face, “then you’ll have to earn it yourself. Honestly, a face like yours could be worth plenty.”


    Reba paused, confused. But before she could process his meaning, he was already dragging her toward the next booth. The room was loud and thick with smoke, making her cough instantly.


    Meanwhile, Stanley, who had been scoping out the bar, saw the whole thing. He quickly snapped a photo, sent it to Jeffrey, and made the call. “Check your messages. Now,” he said.


    Jeffrey pulled up the image–a rough hand was gripping Reba’s arm, and the sight pissed him off instantly.


    Stanley walked over to the private room’s door, peering through the crack. “Want me to go in and get her? These guys are bad news. Your wife could be in serious trouble.”


    Jeffrey’s eyes darkened, his fingers tapping slowly on the table.


    He didn’t say a word, but Stanley felt the cold anger through the screen.


    “Send me the guest list,” Jeffrey said, his voice low.


    “Okay,” Stanley replied. “But what about Reba?”


    Before he could get an answer, his phone was hacked. The rear camera flicked on by itself, and a cool, detached voice came through. “Point the camera inside. Don’t move until I say.”


    Stanley was speechless. ‘Seriously? You could’ve just asked for a video call.’


    Inside, the private room was rowdy and thick with smoke. As Richard dragged Reba in, almost every eye turned her way.


    “Over here!” Richard pulled her roughly toward a group of men. “Go make a toast to these gentlemen.”


    “Mr. Jensen, who’s this?” one of them asked, looking Reba up and down with a sleazy grin.


    “This is my daughter, Reba,” Richard said with a ttering smile–aplete change from earlier. “She’ll be drinking with you tonight. We’re hoping for your support with our coboration.”


    “Not an issue,” the manughed, trading a meaningful look with the group.”


    “Have you lost your mind?” Reba fought to break free, her eyes erupting with a hatred so intense it was almost terrifying. She’d considered every scenario imaginable, except her father selling her out.


    Richard struck her across the face, his eyes cold and cruel. “Drinking with these gentlemen is an honor. You think you’re still Jeffrey’s precious wife?”


    He figured that her getting zero divorce settlement was just a sign that Jeffrey was one with her and had thrown her away -if he’d given a damn, he wouldn’t have left her empty–handed.


    “Jeffrey?” a voice said, a mix of confusion and growing concern. “You mean she’s Mr. Jeffrey Hanson’s precious <b>wife</b><b>?</b><b>” </b>


    The atmosphere shifted instantly. Everyone knew how protective Jeffrey was of his wife. Once, a guy made an inappropriate remark to her, and the next day, hispany’s stock plummeted, and he’d been struggling ever since.


    “That was in the past,” Richard exined quickly. “They’re divorced now. There’s no need to worry about Jeffreying


    after anyone.”


    “Divorced? For real?” a man asked.


    Richard replied, “Would I lie? Remember those phot Mr. Hanson at Harmony Estate with another woman that were all


    over the inte?”


    The man murmured, “I thought that was just gossip.”


    Richard shook his head. “No media would dare post anything about Mr. Hanson without his permission.”


    It clicked for everyone–Reba had clearly fallen out of favor<b>, </b>no longer Jeffrey’s treasured wife. Instantly, their eyes on her becamepletely dirty.


    Reba was still reeling from Richard’s p. He had never once hit her growing up, not even raised his voice. <b>But </b>today, he’d not only struck her–he’d dragged her into this disgusting situation. It felt crueler than when he’d run off with the


    money.


    “What are you waiting for? Go pour the drinks.” Richard shoved her forward roughly.


    Reba spun around and bolted for the door. But before she could even touch the handle, Richard yanked her back hard.


    His face was dark with rage as he red at her, his voice colder and harsher than she’d ever heard. “Run again, and I’ll break your legs.”


    Reba snatched a bottle from the table, smashed it against the edge, and pointed the jagged end straight at him. “Let me out. Or I’ll make sure someone bleeds tonight.”


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