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When Jessica came downstairs, Eugene kept signaling for her to stay upstairs, but obedience wasn’t her style. She plopped down next to him, facing Jeffrey and Andrea directly.
“Jessica…” Andrea said, making sure to emphasize her words. “No, I should call you sister now. Reba often<b>–</b>mentioned how loyal you were as her best friend in college.”
“I don’t ept homewreckers as sisters,” Jessica shot back, biting into an apple.
Andrea’s face instantly paled, and she was clearly caught off guard by her blunt words at Jeffrey’s presence.
“Gics are fascinating,” Jessica said casually, taking another bite of her apple and crossing her legs. “When the mother
is a mistress, the daughter follows suit. Like mother, like daughter. Rotten apples don’t fall far from the tree.”
“Do you even realize who 1-” Andrea said.
Jessica turned her sharp gaze to her father, delivering the verbal blow unflinchingly. “Where there’s a mistress, there’s
always scum. Thank God I inherited Mom’s genes instead of your trash DNA.”
Eugene pressed his lips into a thin line. ‘Is this coteral damage really necessary?‘ he thought.
Andrea put on her wounded puppy look. “Don’t you like me, sis?”
Jessica feigned surprise. “Even the blind could see how much I hate you. Turns out you’re not just morally bankrupt but visually impaired, too.”
A sh of malice crossed Andrea’s eyes before she clutched Jeffrey’s sleeve, biting her lip with a pitiful look.
Jessica almost gagged at her food at the sight of her dramatic act.
“The family reunion’s over,” Jessica said, tossing her apple core into the trash with finality. “Time for you two lovebirds to
leave.”
“Jessica,” Eugene whispered, reminding her.
Jessica didn’t care. She was upset, and there was no reason to hold back when it came to her feelings.
“Ms. Scott seems upset,” Jeffrey said slowly, his deep eyes glinting coldly, his tailored ck suit adding to his icy presence.
“Sorry, my daughter is immature,” Eugene said quickly, not wanting to offend Jeffrey. “Please don’t take it to heart, Mr.
Hanson.”
Jeffrey didn’t say anything, but his cold/intimidating aura made everyone ufortable,
Eugene grabbed Jessica’s arm. “Apologize to Mr. Hanson.”
“Why should I?” Jessica didn’t think Jeffrey could actually harm her. As long as she survived, nothing else mattered.
“My dear, you know Jeffrey’s methods,” Eugene muttered in her ear, urging her to see reason. “If you anger him, have you thought about the consequences?”
14:12 Fri, 19 Sept 00
Jessica turned away, refusing to apologize.
Eugene tugged at her sleeve. “Hurry up. Don’t make things harder for your future self.”
“If Mom were here, she wouldn’t make me apologize,” Jessica said seriously.
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Eugene paused. Jessica’s mother, Kate Scott, wouldn’t force an apology but would stubbornly insist on principles, Jessica had inherited most of her personality from Kate. But in this situation, refusing a reasonablepromise would only lead
to retaliation.
“Mr. Hanson, let me apologize on my daughter’s behalf,” Eugene said with strained dignity. “I hope you won’t take her earher words to heart. I’ll discipline herter.”
Jessica tugged at him several times, but she couldn’t stop him from apologizing.
Jeffrey was about to respond when Andrea stepped in as the peacemaker. “Jessica has always been spoiled by Dad and Kate. Please don’t take her careless words too seriously.”
Jessica’s temper red instantly.
Jeffrey’s gaze swept over her briefly. As Reba’s closest friend, Jessica was off–limits to him. “Very well. I’ll let this slide,” he said, conceding.
Andrea stiffened for a moment.
When Reba hade to apologize earlier, Andrea’s pleading had been met with cold indifference. He’d said Reba’s feelings didn’t matter, only her mistakes did. But now, he actually let Jessica off the hook.
Jessica easily read Andrea’s expression. The pitiful act she’d put on to appear virtuous hadpletely backfired when Jeffrey actually went along with it. When she saw Andrea’s frustrated face, Jessica’s irritation shifted into amusement.
“Thank you, Jeffrey,” Andrea said with a forced smile.
“How do you n to handle Andrea’s situation, Mr. Scott?” Jeffrey redirected the conversation.
“Letting her live with us will be difficult. The head of our household is Jessica’s mother,” Eugene replied, unwilling to jeopardize his position for an illegitimate child. “She’ll never allow Andrea into the Scott family.”
Jeffrey raised an eyebrow slightly, surprised by this response.
Eugene attempted to sugarcoat it. “But rest assured. I’lle up with apromise solution as soon as possible.”
Jeffrey merely hummed nomittally. “We’ll take our leave,” he said, standing up and escorting Andrea out.
Before leaving, Andrea lingered, trying to provoke <b>Jessica</b>. She gave Eugene a meaningful look when getting up from the sofa. “Dad, could you give me a hug<i>?</i>”
Jessica’s lips twitched. She fixed her re on Eugene, her eyes sending a clear warning, as if to say,” Try hugging her, and see what happens.”
Eugene froze. “We’re both inmitted rtionships now. Physical contact would be inappropriate,” he said quickly
14:12 Fri, 19 Sept 00
under Jessica’s piercing stare. “People might misunderstand.”
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Andrea wanted to argue, but she stopped, realizing Jeffrey might actually care, especially since it was the first time she’d met Eugene.
Eugene took the opportunity to add, “Mr. Hanson, have a safe trip.”
Jeffrey didn’t respond, simply leading Andrea away.
Once they were gone, Eugene turned to Jessica, feigning helplessness. “Why did you deliberately provoke Jeffrey like that? You were obviously trying to upset him.”
“Don’t talk to me, you cheater,” Jessica muttered, still seething with resentment.
“Andrea was an ident,” Eugene exined
Jessica started heading upstairs. “Save your exnation for Mom. She’s probably already heard by now.”
Eugene stood there, flustered.
Jessica quickly updated Reba about the situation upstairs. As she recounted how she’d provoked Jeffrey on purpose, Reba could feel the tension in her palms, though she was relieved Jeffrey hadn’t escted things further.
As they talked, Jessica suddenly became serious. “Reba,” she said.
Reba responded, “Yes?”
Having worked in the business world, Jessica saw things clearly. “From what happened today, it’s clear Jeffrey doesn’t care for Andrea the way he cares about you. If he realizes his mistakes and apologizes, would you forgive him?”
“No,” Reba replied immediately, though she knew it was hard to give a final answer until things yed out.
Maybe. Maybe not. After thinking it over, she added, “But either way, there’s no chance of us getting back together.”
Forgiveness would mean letting go of their five years of shared memories, while refusing to reconcile meant separating the good moments from his betrayal.
A