“I know,” Jeffrey replied nonchntly.


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    Stanley grew increasingly confused, feeling his mind couldn’t keep pace. “Knowing that, you still let Andrea confront Reba? Aren’t you worried Reba might suffer badly?”


    Jeffrey remained silent. He thought gains and losses were matters of personal choice.


    Stanley spoke earnestly, “Take my advice. Don’t try keeping Reba through this method. Her stubborn nature won’t conform to your expectations.”


    Jeffrey lifted his eyes to meet Stanley’s gaze. Thetter straightened his posture and added, “I’ll say this even if you stare me down.”


    Jeffrey toyed with his phone. “What evidence do you have that you’re right and I’m wrong?”


    Stanley blinked, unable to think of any evidence.


    “You’ve never been in a rtionship or had long–term friendships with women,” Jeffrey said,nding the blow clean. “But I’ve spent five whole years with Reba.”


    Stanley froze. He tried to argue using his own perspective but realized personalities varied. His previous arguments stemmed from his viewpoint. He wondered, ‘What if Reba actually responds to Jeffrey’s approach?


    ‘After all,pared to an outsider like me with minimal interactions, Jeffrey lived with her day in and day out for five years. He probably knows her better.


    “But…” Stanley finally offered after consideration, “Nobody likes being targeted by a rival in love.”


    Jeffrey’s gaze drifted, and he was lost in thought. Stanley fell silent.


    After a long pause, Jeffrey suddenly asked, “Any uing parties or social events?”


    “No,” Stanley replied, perplexed. “Why?”


    Jeffrey absently rubbed his phone and didn’t reply.


    “You never cared about these things before,” Stanley pressed.


    “Is next Wednesday the exact 10th anniversary of Primey Technologies?” Jeffrey asked, recalling the information he had casually nced at and thinking of an idea.


    Stanley, who had a clearer memory of such matters, replied, “Yes.”


    Jeffrey’s thin lips parted slightly. “Let’s host a celebration.”


    Stanley tried to be tactful. “While they wee you as CEO, anniversary celebrations are internal affairs. Plus, a ten–year anniversary g could cost a fortune.”


    8:46 Sat, <b>Sep </b>20


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    Jeffrey didn’t care about expenses–money was just a number to him, and he could make as much of it as he wanted. He dialed a number from his phone, settling the matter on the spot.


    “Hello, Mr. Hanson,” Jason said with deep respect on the other end of the line.


    Jeffrey cut straight to business. “What are your ns for Primey Technologies’s anniversary?”


    Jason was momentarily stunned and then caught on. “We’ll follow your directives.”


    Jeffrey dered, “All employees must attend next Wednesday.”


    Jason gritted his teeth and agreed, “Understood.”


    Jason knew clearly that even though the party would bleed money, Jeffrey brought far greater profits to thepany. Even if he no longer served as CEO in the future, Primey Technologies would still benefit from his past association.


    “I’ll have Gregory wire the funds to yourpany’s ount,” Jeffrey announced, keeping business and personal matters distinct. “The detailed n will be sent to your email before Friday.”


    Before Jason could refuse, Jeffrey had already hung up the phone.


    Stanley genuinely couldn’t understand Jeffrey’s motive. “Don’t tell me this whole party is for Reba.”


    “Correct,” Jeffrey replied.


    Stanley demanded, “Why?”


    “Her life revolves around three points–office, hospital, and home. The pattern leaves no room for unexpected people or incidents,” Jeffrey exined calmly.


    Stanley’s mouth twitched as he suddenly had a bad feeling. “So you want to create an opportunity… for something to happen?” He voiced the disturbing suspicion.


    Jeffrey didn’t answer, but his expression confirmed everything.


    Stanley wanted to dissuade Jeffrey, recognizing it as extreme and abnormal behavior. Yet recalling Jeffrey’s traumatic upbringing, he realized words would likely fall on deaf ears,


    Stanley muttered inwardly, ‘He wants Reba to hit a brick wall and then get back to him, but that wall would likely crush his own head instead.


    After various considerations, he decided against persuasion. ‘Jeffrey needs to make a mistake. Only through failure will he be somewhat normal,‘ he told himself in his mind.


    “What can I help you with?” Stanley suppressed other thoughts, silently apologizing to Reba.


    “Inviting those who previously dared not target Reba because of my presence,” Jeffrey spoke calmly without emotional fluctuation. “If they refuse, tell them I personally extended the invitation.”


    Stanley thought, ‘Company parties typically only involve employees, but having a few extra management-


    level acquaintances attend ispletely normal.‘


    He unconditionally supported Jeffrey. “Consider it done,” he replied.


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    “Thanks.” Jeffrey knew Stanley disapproved of his n but decided to help anyway out of friendship.


    “Friends don’t need thanks.” Stanley resumed his usual casual demeanor. “But I’ll skip this party. Keep things measured and don’t go too far.”


    Jeffrey replied, “Understood.”


    After finalizing matters, they chatted untilte at night before heading home. Jeffrey briefed Gregory about the arrangements with necessary precautions, and then left it at that.


    Gregory’s efficiency was truly impressive. In no time, the matter had been fullymunicated throughout thepany.


    On Thursday morning, Reba and her colleagues had barely arrived at Primey Technologies when a group message announced apany–wide day off next Wednesday for the 10th–anniversary celebration. Each department was to prepare a performance.


    The department erupted in heated discussions the moment the message appeared.


    “While a day off on Wednesday sounds great, past parties have run past 10 PM.”


    “Do you think Mr. Hanson will attend? He’s technically part of ourpany now.”


    “Probably not. It’d be odd for someone from the Hanson Group to join Primey Technologies’s celebration.”


    “The real problem is that every department needs to prepare a performance. Our team can’t carry a tune, has the flexibility of steel beams, and zero artistic talent. How are we pulling this off?”


    “Ask Reba,” someone suggested. “She’s probably got ideas.”


    Most team members, except Reba, had transferred from previous projects, creating tight–knit familiarity among coworkers.


    Reba was busy verifying if next Wednesday truly marked Primey Technologies’s anniversary. The timing felt too coincidental, making her suspect Jeffrey’s involvement.


    “Reba,” someone called out.


    Reba looked up from her phone and turned toward the voice. “What’s up?<b>” </b>


    “Do you have any special talents? Like stand–upedy, singing, dancing, ying instruments, or acting sketches?” the girl asked directly. “None of us here are good at any of these<b>.</b><b>” </b>


    Normally, those people were fine with karaoke nights where skills didn’t matter, but it was the anniversary party. Screwing up in front of thousands would be embarrassing.


    Reba was about to say she wasn’t qualified as a new employee when she heard others whisper about the


    8:46 Sat, Sep 20 <b>d</b>.


    details.


    0:0


    “If I could do even one thing well, that 5,000–dor grand prize would be mine every year.”


    “Get real. Even if you could, do you think you’d win first ce?”


    “With my skills, first ce would be guaranteed. Too bad I don’t have any special talents.”


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    “There’s prize money?” Reba suddenly interjected. She’d read all the announcements but hadn’t seen any mention of rewards.