<b>Chapter </b><b>45 </b>


    Reba stiffened for a moment, instinctively tracing where Elmer was looking.


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    Jeffrey was sprawled out on a sofa by the window, a financial magazine in hand. As if sensing her gaze, he lifted his eyes and nced over at her.


    “Mr. Hanson, do you still have Reba’s contract?” Elmer asked, taking the initiative.


    Jeffrey nced up at Elmer, his gaze cool and casual.


    Feeling a little unnerved by that look, Elmer didn’t push the matter and instead turned to Reba. “Why do you need the contract?” he asked.


    “I just want to double–check the details,” Reba replied, keeping her tone carefully neutral in front of Elmer. “If it hasn’t been officially signed and sealed, is it possible for me to add another use?”


    Right after she finished speaking, someone walked in from the hallway, with a contract in hand. They walked straight up to Jeffrey and handed it over. “Mr. Hanson, the contract has been officially signed and sealed,” the person announced.


    “Just give it to Reba,” Jeffrey said, his eyes settling on her. His voice was unhurried, casually pointing her out. “That’s


    her.”


    The legal assistant handed Reba the contract, just as Jeffrey had instructed.


    Holding the contract, Reba felt its weight. She couldn’t shake the sense that this was part of Jeffrey’s n. Steadying herself, she flipped through the pages, seeing thepany seal and Primey Technologies‘ legal representative’s


    signature.


    The contract was now fully in effect; quitting would mean a 3–million–dor penalty.


    “If there’s anything you need, just tell me,” Elmer said,pletely missing the tension in Reba’s face. “As long as it’s reasonable, I can make it happen. No need to put it in the contract.”


    “It’s fine,” Reba answered, feeling icy all over. She forced a smile, offered a stiff nod, and headed out. She didn’t stick around, slipping away as fast as she could.


    Elmer stared at Reba’s retreating figure, a look of doubt flickering in his eyes. He ventured. “Mr. Hanson…”


    Jeffrey nced up, his eyes cool. “Yes?”


    Elmer froze. Any questions he had died in his throat. “No, nothing,” he blurted out, instantly backing off.


    Jeffrey didn’t say another word, just looked back down at his magazine. But ten minutes ticked by and he didn’t flip a single page. He was obviously miles away in his own head.


    “Mr. Smith has arranged a dinner at the Jsburg Grand Hotel to wee you,” Elmer said, rying the important news. “When would you like to go over?”


    Jeffrey raised an eyebrow. <i>“</i>To wee me?”


    15:35 <b>Thu</b>, 18 Sept


    “Yes,” Elmer replied.


    Jeffrey’s lips curled into a faint smile. “I’m not the only one new here today.”


    “Are you suggesting Reba shoulde, too?” Elmer ventured a guess.


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    “That’s for you to decide, not me,” Jeffrey said, checking his watch. He set his magazine down and stood. “I’ve got other


    things to do, so I’m heading out.”


    Elmer didn’t stop Jeffrey. He reported the incident to upper management, knowing Jason had asked him to watch Reba. If she were connected to Jason, things could getplicated.


    In the end, Elmer was overthinking. After hearing the situation, Jason told him to follow Jeffrey’s lead and bring Reba along. Jason made it clear. For now, Jeffrey’s word wasw. Everything in thepany, business and people alike, was


    Jeffrey’s call.


    With that settled, Elmer went to find Reba. He didn’t spell things out, just mentioned that thepany was holding a


    wee dinner for the new team members.


    “I have some things to handle at home,” Reba said, trying to get out of it. “Is it okay if I don’t go?”


    “Turning down thepany dinner on your first day might not look so good,” Elmer said, his tone gentle but insistent. “It’s just one meal. It won’t take much of your time.” And with that, he walked off without waiting for Reba’s answer.


    Frustration tightened around Reba’s chest. She wanted to leave, but knew she couldn’t afford the impulse this time. Skipping dinner and refusing to y along would likely make her a targetter.


    She was still just the new hire here, and thanks to that ruthless breach–of–contract use, quitting wasn’t even an option


    now.


    “What did Elmer say to you?” Jane asked, stepping over when she noticed the troubled look on Reba’s face.


    “He wants me to join him for dinnerter,” Reba said, forcing herself to put on a neutral front so she wouldn’t pass on her bad mood. “Supposedly, it’s a wee dinner for the new faces.”


    Jane paused for a moment, a thoughtful crease forming between her brows.


    Reba immediately sensed something was off. “Is there something I should know?”


    “It’s likely their way of introducing you to keypany leaders,” Jane said calmly. “They might want to fast–track you. Just enjoy your dinner.”


    Reba’s face fell; this was exactly what she dreaded. “If I don’t go, will I get singled out?” she asked, feeling more at ease with Jane’s calming, big–sister vibe. She was rxed around Jane.


    Jane looked at Reba and gave a definite answer. “Yes, you will.”


    Reba’s mood tanked <i>in </i>a heartbeat.


    “Seriously, don’t sweat it,” Jane said, looking at Reba. “Those big shots in thepany? They’re just regr folks, not the type to mess with you or take advantage. They’ll probably just talk your ear off.”


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    Resigned, Reba messagedn to ask if he could pick up Samuel, and then checked the time and forced herself to head to the hotel for dinner.


    Even though Jane had tried to reassure her, Reba was always on guard when it came to these kinds of things. From her past dinners with Jeffrey, she’d caught glimpses of all kinds of messy drama going down in private rooms.


    She sentn the address, just in case. It was probably fine, but if anything did happen, at least she had someone she could


    count on.


    “Elmer.” Reba paused with her hand on the car door, suddenly remembering something really important.


    Elmer nced sideways at her. “Yeah?”


    Reba thought for a second, not bothering to sugarcoat it. “Is Mr. Hanson going to be there?”


    Elmer lied smoothly, not missing a beat, “No, he’s not.”


    Earlier, Gregory, Jeffrey’s assistant, messaged Elmer with strict orders: If Reba asked about Jeffrey, Elmer had to say he wasn’ting. Elmer didn’t know why, but followed the instructions.


    Reba tried to read anything from Elmer’s face, but with all those years navigating office politics, Elmer had mastered the art of hiding his true feelings; he didn’t give anything away.


    The car stopped outside the hotel. As Reba was about to enter, her phone buzzed. It wasn. She slipped into a quiet


    corner to answer.


    Without small talk, he asked bluntly, “They’re having you eat at the Jsburg Grand Hotel on your first day?”


    Reba let out a breath, answering honestly, “Yeah, supposedly it’s some kind of wee dinner for the new hires.”


    “There’s something else I forgot to mention,” Reba hesitated, and then decided to be honest about what happened today.


    Reba lowered her voice, ncing around to make sure no one was listening. “The CEO of Primey Technologies is


    Jeffrey.”


    Han went silent for a moment, his mind buzzing with disbelief. He finally blurted out, “Wait. Are you absolutely sure it was Jeffrey?”


    “I’m sure,” Reba said. “The manager even introduced him to us.”


    “Reba, listen to me. Don’t go to that dinner,”n said, his voice urgent and low. “I’mpletely sure Jeffrey set this whole thing <i>up </i>to mess with you.”