<b>Chapter </b><b>32 </b>


    Hearing some juicy gossip was one thing–it felt great. But when it was the kind that could blow up, even making a clean exit became a challenge.


    “Jeffrey, I think that was just a friendly hug between old friends. No need to read too much into it,” Stanley said, trying to lighten the mood and catch his breath.


    Gregory thought, ‘Maybe you should just stop talking”


    Clearly missing Jeffrey’s icy re, Stanley went on, “Besides, you and Reba have been married with kids for years. Ian’s crush is ancient history by now.”


    Worried about getting dragged into the mess, Gregory asked seriously, “Mr. Garcia, are you thirsty?”


    “Nope,” Stanley blurted out defensively.


    Gripping the wheel with a sweaty hand, Gregory insisted, “I think you’re thirsty.”


    Finally feeling the tension ease a bit, Stanley muttered, “Jeffrey, what’s wrong with your assistant? First he blocks me from leaving, and now he’s trying to force water on me.”


    Jeffrey turned slowly toward him. “I think you’re thirsty, too.”


    “I-” Stanley’s words caught in his throat under Jeffrey’s dangerous look.


    ‘What was I thinking? Lactually believed I was getting through to him,‘ Stanley thought.


    Heart pounding, he grabbed a water bottle and sat back down obediently. “Well, if you say I’m thirsty, then I’m thirsty,” he


    said.


    Jeffrey looked away, his eyes darkening. n? I’ve almost forgotten this guy,‘ he thought.


    The car continued down the street before following Reba andn into an upscale restaurant. Through the window, Jeffrey watched the two step inside,ughing and chatting closely. His lips tightened into a cold, thin line.


    Silence hung heavy in the car. Neither Stanley nor Gregory dared to speak.


    Jeffrey nced at the restaurant and asked, “Who owns this ce?”


    Stanley looked nk. ‘How am I supposed to know? It’s my first time here, too.‘


    “It’s under one of the Garcia Group subsidiaries,” Gregory answered smoothly, relieved he’d anticipated the question.


    Jeffrey’s gaze shifted to Stanley.


    Stanley froze. ‘Seriously? I didn’t even do anything–how did I still end up in trouble?‘


    He quickly pulled out his phone and said, “I’ll call the manager and haven thrown out. And cklist him from every Garcia property. Permanently.”


    13.20 wea, 17 Sept


    Jeffrey still stared at him, unmoved.


    Gregory stepped in carefully. “Mr. Hanson isn’t that petty, Mr. Garcia.”


    0.46<b>% </b>


    “Then tell me what to do,” Stanley said, frustrated. He could easily figure out what Jeffrey wanted, except when it came to this kind of thing, Gregory always got Jeffrey better.


    “Have the manager decorate their private room,” Jeffrey said, his tone cool and detached. “Romantic setting. During the meal, send in red roses and an engagement ring. Make sure Reba knows it’s all fromn.”


    Gregory was confused.


    Stanley stared in disbelief. “You’re helping your rival make a move on her?”


    “If he likes her, I’ll help him say it,” Jeffrey replied, his voice cool and controlled.


    Stanley was about to ask if he’d lost his mind when it suddenly clicked–he understood exactly what Jeffrey was doing.


    Stanley had heard about Reba’s principles. With her divorce from Jeffrey not finalized, ifn suddenly confessed and proposed, she’d bepletely turned off.


    On the surface, it looked romantic. But in reality, it was deeply disrespectful–treating her like someone who’d entertain a proposal while still legally married.


    ‘Damn, that’s a killer move,‘ Stanley thought.


    “But what if Reba doesn’t see it that way?” he asked, jumping on the gossip train. “She andn still seem really close.”


    Jeffrey didn’t answer. He knew Reba better than anyone.


    Once she turned someone down, she wouldn’t even stay friends. She believed she owed them something if she couldn’t return their feelings–better to end it clean than to lead them on.


    Jeffrey assumedn, who had known Reba since childhood, was already aware of the situation, so he never confessed


    to her.


    “I’ll go brief the manager,” Stanley said, suddenly energized and havingpletely forgotten his earlier decision to stay away from drama. “I’ll update you when everything’s set.”


    “No need,” Jeffrey replied.


    Stanley looked at him, confused.


    Jeffrey stepped out of the car. “I’ming with you.”


    “Alright,” Stanley said. Before leaving, he bragged to Gregory that he was going to get a front–row seat for the drama while Gregory had to stay behind and watch the car.


    Gregory returned a polite smile. Somehow, he had a feeling Stanley wasn’t heading for some juicy gossip–more like straight into Jeffrey’s wrath.


    Stanley just charged ahead without a second thought. He grabbed the restaurant manager and quickly exined the n. With Jeffrey here, he double–checked every detail to make sure nothing could go wrong.


    In the end, Stanley whispered, “If Reba turns down the flowers, just nce at the card and pretend it was delivered to the wrong person.”


    Jeffrey looked over at him.


    The manager stared back, confused.


    “Once you step out of the room, mutter something–but make sure it’s loud enough for the people inside to hear,” Stanley continued. “Say, ‘Mr. Yeats is so smart. No matter how that confession goes, he’s got a perfect excuse to save face.”


    Stanley was usuallyid–back. The reason he went this hard–aside from following Jeffrey’s request–was that he already had some bad blood withn.


    “Got it.” The manager nodded eagerly and hurried off.


    “How’s my n?” Stanley turned to Jeffrey, looking pleased with himself.


    “Finally using your brain,” Jeffrey remarked coolly. He had originally just wanted to make Reba realizen had feelings for her–but for now, he decided to let Stanley run with it.


    He was telling Reba stories from his time overseas, trying to cheer her up. Once she finally started smiling, he asked cautiously, “Jessica mentioned you divorced Jeffrey because he cheated. Is that true?”


    Reba nodded. “Yeah.”


    “Don’t worry. I’ll make him pay for that,”n promised, thumping his chest confidently. “When the timees, I’ll castrate him for good.”


    Outside the room, Stanley overheard and froze. ‘Damn, this guy’s got guts,‘ he thought. He nced at Jeffrey, whose expression had turned stone–cold, just as expected.


    “Oh, and you should go get tested at the hospital soon,”n added seriously. “They say people who sleep around can carry all sorts of diseases. Who knows what he might’ve passed on to you?”


    Reba knew he meant well, even if he was being blunt. “Okay,” she replied softly.


    Jeffrey’s mood dropped below freezing.


    Stanley felt the chill radiating off him and held his breath, silently sending prayersn’s way. ‘This guy really has a death wish,‘ he thought.


    “Go handle something for me,” Jeffrey said, his voice low and eyes unreadable.


    “What’s it?” Stanley asked cautiously.


    “Charge the flowers and the ring ton’s ount,” Jeffrey said. His voice was calm, but his eyes were colder than ever.


    10.20


    wed, 17 sept▼ 03


    “That’ll make the ‘confession‘ look real.”