<b>Chapter </b>42


    “Disagreeing with you makes me stubborn?” Reba met Jeffrey’s icy stare, whispering, “And if things don’t go your way. I’m just trying to upset you?”


    Jeffrey’s grip on her gradually tightened.


    She winced at the pain but held back her moans. “Jeffrey, can you stop acting childishly?”


    “Do you know how many messes I’ve cleaned up for youtely?” Jeffrey held firm. “You really think Richard and those from the private room just left you alone for no reason?”


    Reba froze for a second.


    Jeffrey exined, “It’s because I handled it all before it reached you. Even if you don’t do what I ask, I still don’t want you to stress over things that don’t really matter.”


    He was upset with her–for not listening, for being stubborn, but despite her tough attitude, he couldn’t stop wanting to protect her. All he could do was hope she’d choose toe back someday.


    “Have you ever considered that your ‘help‘ has brought me way more trouble than it’s actually solved?” Reba kept her voice calm and stopped resisting his hold.


    Jeffrey’s gaze deepened.


    “If you’d stayed out of it, I could’ve sold that ring for a good price and found a job quickly. Even if my dad caused trouble, Jessica would’ve supported me,” Reba said. “Honestly, I’d be better off now, not constantly fearing you’d turn on me.”


    “So that’s how you see it,” Jeffrey said, his grip still tense, the veins on the back of his hand standing out, but he didn’t squeeze any harder.


    Reba answered firmly, “Yes.”


    Jeffrey’s voice grew heavy. “Have you ever thought what it’d be like if I wasn’t there to watch your back?”


    “Not really,” Reba said. She’d never really had to fend for herself before. “But honestly, I think it’d still be better than


    this.”


    Jeffrey finally let go, and Reba took the chance to get out of the car. She put some distance between them, making it clear she was wary of him.


    Jeffrey didn’t care. He adjusted his cuffs and strode toward her, as steadily as always. “You can go


    now.”


    “You still owe me an answer about what you promised,” Reba pressed, wanting something definite,


    “I won’t interfere with your final interview, and I won’t say a word to Richard about any of this,” Jeffrey replied, his voice cool and distant, even more withdrawn than before. “Happy now?”


    “Thank you, Mr. Hanson,” Reba replied.


    Jeffrey’s eyes grew even colder.


    10.04


    10


    εμι


    30%


    Reba turned and left without lingering. She still needed to head to the hospital to see how her mother was doing


    Watching Reba walk off without even a hint of regret, Jeffrey felt the air around him grow heavy. Just before she reached the edge of the garage, he couldn’t help but call out, “Reba.”


    “Is there something else, Mr. Hanson?” Reba paused, turning cautiously. The breeze lifted her skirt around her ankles and sent stray hairs across her forehead.


    For a split second, Jeffrey seemed caught off guard, his expression distant and faintly lost.


    They’d lived through this scene countless times, but it used to be different.


    Back then, he’d softly call her name, and she’d turn with a bright smile and yful eyes, asking, “What is it?” She was gentle, sweet, and a bit mischievous then–nothing like she was now.


    “If there’s nothing else, I’ll just go,” Reba said, unable to handle the intensity of his gaze and quickly looking away.


    “Starting today, I won’t shield you or make things harder,” Jeffrey said, granting the freedom she wanted. “But for Samuel’s sake, he’ll stay with me until the divorce is final.”


    Reba shut it down instantly. “No.” She knew if Samuel went back to Jeffrey now, getting him backter would be almost impossible.


    Marcus and Candice had never been happy about Reba getting custody of Samuel. Even though Jeffrey had talked to them, there was no guarantee they wouldn’t say all sorts of nonsense to Samuel behind her back.


    “I’m not asking,” Jeffrey said, his tone firm.


    “How can you be so sure Samuel will have a stable life with you?” Reba pushed past her fear and spoke up. “Don’t forget. You spend most of your free time with Andrea. Do you really want him to see you two all lovey–dovey and inseparable?”


    Jeffrey met her gaze, nearly snapping back at her calling him “lovey–dovey and inseparable” with Andrea. But he held back and stayed silent.


    “You can have someone keep an eye on him, but he’s staying with me,” Reba insisted.


    Jeffrey saw that stubborn look. If he tried arguing, she’d just keep going. So he tossed out a t, “Whatever.”


    Reba sighed in relief. She’d worried she might lose this argument. If Jeffrey pushed, there was little she could do. After all, they weren’t divorced yet, and both had rights to Samuel.


    After leaving the Harmony Estate, Reba headed straight to the hospital.


    Jeffrey stood out in the yard, watching her leave until she finally disappeared from view. Only then did he pull out his phone and call Stanley. “Don’t tell Richard anything about Reba.”


    “Man, your decisions <i>flip </i>faster than the weather gods change their minds,” Stanley scoffed.


    “Pull your guys back. No more surveince,” Jeffrey said calmly. “Just treat him like any other employee at the bar.”


    15:35 Thu, 18 Sept


    Stanley paused, a bit baffled. “If we back off, Richard will definitely make trouble for Reba. He’s not the type to let things go. Plus, he can easily track down where Reba’s staying.”


    “Just do it,” Jeffrey said, thinking, ‘Since she doesn’t want my help, I’ll y along. Let’s see how <i>far </i>she can go on her own.


    “Alright,” Stanley said, dropping the topic. Since that hospital talk, he knew he’d never understand Jeffrey. “By the way, Richard’s struggling with dishwashing. If he gets out, he’ll likelysh out hard.”


    Jeffrey just replied with a nonchnt “Yeah.”


    Stanley didn’t say another word. He simply told his guys to pull back.


    After hanging up, Jeffrey stayed out in the yard, tapping out a quick message to Gregory.


    Since Reba left, Andrea hade downstairs and waited by the door<i>. </i>Only after Jeffrey finished his call did she finally work up the nerve to walk over, clearly a bit uneasy under his imposing presence. “Jeffrey.”


    Jeffrey looked up, caught the uneasy look on her face, and asked with concern, “What’s wrong?”


    “Nothing,” Andrea said, holding back her questions, too nervous <i>to </i>speak. “I just want you to know. You don’t have to keep defending me. Reba is still your wife.”


    Jeffrey didn’t say a word, but his natural authority flooded the space, pushing down on her.


    Andrea’s fingers fidgeted nervously. Jeffrey had promised her a lifetime of wealth and luxury, but he’d never once called her Mrs. Hanson, or even his wife, not once.


    As for him calling her thedy of Reba’s Manor, he did it intentionally to provoke Reba. Andrea knew this clearly, and Jeffrey knew she knew.


    He’d designed the entire estate for Reba–greenwns, a grand vi, her favorite orchard, even a wine cer. Divorce or not, that ce belonged to her alone.


    田