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Stanley said, “I didn’t know it was her number.”
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By now Stanley saw the picture: Jeffrey’s unruffled silence when he’d posed that question hade from having the phone already off–or parked in airne mode. What nobody banked on was Andrea ringing Stanley instead.
He thought, ‘Now everything <b>is </b>screwed.’
Jeffrey said, “I have to go to the hospital.” He shot a nce at Reba on stage and added, “Keep an eye on her while I’m gone.
“They can hassle her all they want, but don’t let her apologize, give in, or let anyoney a finger on her.”
Stanley was speechless. He grumbled inwardly, ‘Isn’t that basically just saying don’t let her get bullied? If it’s just trash talk, and she’s tough enough, she’ll barely feel a thing!
Still, no matter how much he grumbled in his head, Stanley would never let his buddy down. He replied, “Alright.”
Jeffrey said, “Don’t let her see you. I don’t want her thinking I’m still in her corner.”
“Understood,” Stanley agreed without hesitation.
Jeffrey hummed in acknowledgment. He pulled out his phone, switched it on, and strode away.
“Wait a sec,” Stanley called out.
Jeffrey turned to look at him, confused.
Stanley said, “Doesn’t this whole thing seem a little off? How did Andrea get my number, and how did she manage to call me at such a coincidental moment?”
“Someone gave it to her,” Jeffrey replied,pletely emotionless.
Stanley asked, “You know who?”
Jeffrey said, “Not sure yet.” He’d sensed something fishy as soon as Stanley handed him the phone. He said,
Just keep an eye on Reba and make sure nothing big happens.”
After saying that, he didn’t hang around–he walked out, steady andposed.
An hourter, Jeffrey made it to the hospital.
Andrea had just finished herst IV drip for the day. She’d dropped all pretenses sincest time–didn’t care to hide who she was anymore, She said, “Jeffrey, you are here.”
“Yeah,” Jeffrey answered, taking a seat next to her bed.
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Andrea said. “I know it’s probably not the best time to call you here. But honestly, when I’m stuck in a hospital feeling miserable, I really can’t let you go off keeping Rebapany.”
Jeffrey just stared at her, his eyes as dark as ink.
Andrea met his gaze, totally unbothered. She said, “It’s not about being jealous. I just t out don’t want that.”
“How’s your wound doing?” Jeffrey asked, not even slightly phased by herints. He sounded like he was just ticking off a checklist.
Andrea replied, “It’s only just started to heal over.” She reached out, wanting to hold his hand.
She asked, “These past two days, I didn’t call you, and you really never came to see me. Do you even care about me at all<b>?</b><b>” </b>
“Wasn’t it you who told me to keep busy and only swing by when I had some spare time?” Jeffrey retorted.
Andrea’s other hand, tucked under the nket, unconsciously clenched tighter as her chest tightened a little. She thought, ‘He’s ruthless. He really doesn’t give a damn about me!‘
Her thoughts drifted back to something someone once told her.
That person said, “Jeffrey only ever understands when Reba is saying one thing but meaning another. If you’re indirect or try to hint at what you want, he’ll just take your words at face value and do exactly that.
“If you want something, just say it straight out. Don’t bother with roundabout talk.”
Andrea pushed down her feelings and said, “I was just saying some stuff out of frustration. Honestly, has there ever been a patient who didn’t want the person they care about to visit and look after them?”
Jeffrey frowned.
Before Jeffrey could get a word in, Andrea continued, “I know exactly what you’re about to say. I’m just asking for something normal here–it’s not about feelings, I promise.”
Jeffrey replied, “I’ve been swampedtely. If you want something, just tell me straight, like you used to. And if I miss anything, just nudge me.”
Andrea gave a littleugh and said, “Okay,”
They chatted for a while longer, then Jeffrey’s phone buzzed with a message from Stanley: [Trouble just showed up. Gotta deal with it. If anythinges up, call me.]
Jeffrey replied: [Yeah.]
After reading the message, Stanley slipped his phone into his pocket and zeroed in on Reba down in the
hall.
By this point, the performances had ended, and the host was announcing the “Top Ten Leaders” awards. Someone from every department went up to receive theirs, and for Reba’s department, the winner was Jane. Next up was the “Top Ten Employees” award.
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When all the awards were done, the host went off about how thepany and its people made <b>each </b>other sessful–typical official speak. Then he turned and introduced, “Now, let’s give a big hand for Mr. Smith and his friends.”
Everyone pped.
Then, Alexander, Yannie, Sterling, Bary, and a bunch of other rich heirs headed up on stage with Jason.
Reba’s lips twitched. She hadn’t expected them to show up like this. She thought they were absolutely fucking idiots.
Alexander aside, the other three families all had their own gamepanies.
Sure, games weren’t their main business, and none of them couldpete with a dedicated gamingpany like Primey Technologies, but by showing up here, they were basically handing Primey Technologies some free promo.
Reba thought, ‘If any of them make it home without getting chewed out, I’ll give them a standing ovation.‘
Just then, Yannie asked, “Mr. Smith, would you mind if I use the mic for a moment?”
Jason handed it over.
Yannie began with the usual pleasantries, wishing Primey Technologies continued sess and growth. Once she’d got that out of the way, she shifted gears, her gaze sweeping toward Reba.
She said, “And in addition to all that, I’d like to invite a friend up here.”
Reba quickly ducked down and slipped away through the crowd. No way she was letting herself be their circus act.
She thought, ‘If management came askingter, I’d just im food poisoning or something–missed the whole thing. Good thing I’ve already cleared it with Jane and E.’
‘Reba?” Yannie called out, scanning the ce where Reba had just been–only to see the seat empty.
Everyone from Reba’s department started looking around. When no one spotted her, people began murmuring all at once.
“Wait, where did she <i>go</i>? Wasn’t she just sitting here a moment ago?” someone blurted out.
Another asked, “Jane, did you catch where Reba went?”
Jane replied, “She’s not feeling well. Went to the restroom.”
Derek said, “Why does she always bail when it matters most? First, she goes head–to–head with Mr. Kendall this afternoon, and now she doesn’t even bother ying along for Ms. Barton. Seriously, this girl’s got a mind
of her own.”
Reba couldn’t <b>care </b>less about the chatter. Just to be safe, she really did slip into the restroom–for real, no bluffing. She wasn’t about to risk getting exposed.
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Alexander was one thing–Reba could use their past to keep him in check. But Yannie and her crew were a different story. None of them would be easy to handle.
After about half an hour, Reba finally came out of the restroom, taking her time on purpose. Based on how little patience those folks had, she figured they must have left by now.
She pulled out her phone and sent Jane a quick message: [Jane, are they still around?]
Jane texted back right away: [They left ten minutes ago.]
Reba finally rxed and let out a big sigh of relief. She bent over to wash her hands, and just as she nced up at the mirror, nning to head out, she nearly jumped.
Staring at her in the reflection was Yannie–who was supposed to be long gone–locking eyes with her out of nowhere.
AD