“It’s gettingte. You should head home and get some rest,” Stephen said gently to Reba, his back to the door, not realizing Jeffrey hade in. “I’ll ask Bernard to drive you home.”


    “That’s alright, I’ll just grab a cab,” Reba replied, turning down his offer.


    Stephen gave a weak smile. “Cabs aren’t safe thiste. I’d feel better if Bernard took you.”


    Reba was just about to decline again when she noticed Jeffrey’s eyes locked onto her. She braced herself and said, “Alright. Sorry for the trouble, Stephen.”


    “We’re family, right?” Stephen said with a soft chuckle.


    After saying she’de by tomorrow, Reba grabbed her bag and left, brushing past Jeffrey without even ncing at him. She walked straight out of the room with Bernard.


    Jeffrey shot her a brief sideways nce. Stanley leaned in and whispered. “Want me to stop her?”


    Jeffrey’s response was cool and brief. “No need.”


    “Jeffrey, you’re here.” Stephen greeted Jeffrey from his hospital bed, his face pale but his eyes warm. “It’s been over ten years since youst visited me in the hospital.”


    Jeffrey walked over to the bed, his gaze cool. “She’s gone. You don’t have to keep pretending now.”


    Stephen looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”


    “Do you know why I’m the one running the Hanson Group instead of you?” Jeffrey said coolly, not the least bit. rattled. “Because rats from the gutter never make it to the big leagues. They can’t stand the light.”


    “Look at you, the mighty boss.” Stephen teased. “You sure have gotten good atying it on thick.”


    “I know you nned everything tonight,” Jeffrey said, not bothering to hide it. “And I get that you’re trying to get between me and Reba. But just remember, when you try to take me down, you’re gonna pay a price yourself.”


    “You think I was behind the chandelier incident?” Stephen looked genuinely puzzled.


    Jeffrey just shot back, “Wasn’t it?”


    Stephen frowned, “And what exactly do I get out of doing that?”


    There were plenty of perks. Jeffrey didn’t say a word because talking to him about this was pointless.


    “I know you’ve had issues with me because of all the drama at the Hanson Group,” Stephen said, trying to be rational. “But just like you, I’d never drag innocent people into our mess.”


    “Would you swear on the safety of that woman you’re keeping at home?” Jeffrey challenged.


    12:58 Wed, Sep <b>2 </b>


    Stephen fixed his gaze on him, a hint of confusion in his eyes. ‘Why was Jeffrey suddenly bringing this up so often, when he’d never mentioned it before?‘ Stephen couldn’t help wondering.


    “There’s something you probably haven’t heard yet,” Jeffrey said, his voice cool. “After all, your trusted cronies were all here tonight, helping you run this act.”


    Normally, Jeffrey wouldn’t pull innocent bystanders into the mess, but he wasn’t above using outsiders when push came to shove.


    Stephen kept a straight face. “What’s that?”


    “While you were off ying hero for your own interests, Karen ended up getting cornered by her deadbeat, gambling father,” Jeffreymented ndly, as if it barely mattered. “Heard she went home covered in bruises.”


    A flicker passed through Stephen’s eyes, gone as soon as it appeared.


    Jeffrey caught every bit of it. “Bet you’re thinking, you sent bodyguards to keep an eye on her, so nothing could happen to her, right?”


    Stephen lifted his gaze. This time, he was really scrutinizing his brother. He’d kept everything so deeply hidden, not even Lucas had a clue. ‘How did Jeffrey figure it out?‘ he wondered.


    “Just because you’re working overtime to protect her doesn’t mean someone else isn’t trying to hurt her,” Jeffrey said, his tone unhurried. “If my timing’s right, she’s most likely facing the second wave of trouble now.”


    Stephen instinctively reached for his phone. Jeffrey’s sharp gaze didn’t miss a thing. “Worried?” he asked.


    Stephen paused. He knew that Jeffrey was deeply calcting and ruthless in his methods, but he hadn’t expected him <i>to </i>maintain such sharp insight even after something like this had happened.


    “A person who doesn’t matter, why should I worry?” Stephen casually picked up his phone, turned on the screen, and nced at it. “I just felt a bit sleepy and wanted to check the time.”


    Deep down, a hint of mockery flickered in Jeffrey’s eyes. ‘Seriously, can’t even face your own feelings? How pathetic,‘ Jeffrey scoffed inwardly.


    “Don’t use Reba again.” Jeffrey cut him off, his cold eyes as unfathomable as midnight. “Or I won’t hesitate to drag other people into this mess.”


    With those words, he strode out, his back straight and indifferent as ever. Only after Jeffrey and Stanley vanished from view did Stephen finally pick up his phone and make a call.


    In the parking lot, Stanley sat in the driver’s seat. Looking at the silent Jeffrey, he tried to break the tension by speaking up. “You just mentioned that Stephen has someone? Karen?”


    Jeffrey, remembering some info he’d picked up by ident, shrugged. “Not exactly.”


    Stanley blinked in confusion. “Huh? Not exactly?”


    Jeffrey replied tly, “He’s never owned up to it.”


    20 vouchers,


    “Damn, the Hanson family really is full of heartbreakers.” Stanley blurted out. “One drops his wife for another woman, the other just strings her along, never making it official.”


    Before Stanley could finish, the air inside the car felt suddenly tense. He caught a glimpse of Jeffrey’s face out of the corner of his eye.


    “I never brought up divorce,” Jeffrey said, voice cold and steady. From start to finish, it had always been Reba bringing it up, not him.


    “I misspoke. I’ll p myself as punishment, I swear.” Stanley stammered out, desperate not to tick him off any further.


    Suddenly, Stanley got why all those reality show judges only ever say nice things and never mention anyone’s ws. With a mood like Jeffrey’s, he realized he’d be way too intimidated to speak his mind, <i>too</i>.


    The car rolled on in silence. As they neared an intersection, Jeffrey told him ahead of time, “Take a left at the next light.”


    “Why take a left?” Stanley asked, but he still switchednes without hesitation. “That’s not the way back to Reba’s Manor.” Jeffrey didn’t bother exining.


    Meanwhile, Reba got home and started replying to her messages one at a time. For the board members, she sent updates about Stephen’s injuries using thepany app, then switched over to her socials to handle everyone else who’d messaged her.


    By the time she was done, half an hour had slipped by.


    She copsed onto the sofa, her gaze troubled. ‘Trying to twist the truth about someone when I actually know what’s going on. That’s really not me,‘ Reba thought, feeling conflicted.


    With all kinds of emotions crowding her mind, she tossed her phone aside, grabbed some pajamas, and headed for a shower, hoping to wash away the mess inside her.


    The sound of running water echoed from the bathroom. Outside, someone was knocking on the door. After knocking a few times with no response, Jeffrey whipped out his phone and called Samuel, who was just getting ready for bed.


    As soon as Samuel picked up, Jeffrey went straight in. “I’m standing outside your mom’s room.”


    Samuel helpfully reminded. “Mom doesn’t want you here.”


    Jeffrey said, “I think she’s in danger.”


    Samuel didn’t fall for it. “Honestly, the real danger here is you.”


    Jeffrey was speechless. ‘No doubt about it. He’s definitely my kid, Jeffrey couldn’t help thinking, both proud and exasperated.


    “I know you’re trying to get me to say it’s okay for you toe in,” Samuel said, his quick little brain catching on right away. “That way, if Mom gets mad, you can say I let you in.”


    478


    <b>78 </b>


    20 vouchers


    Jeffrey just fell silent. ‘Man, are kids really getting this quick nowadays?‘ Jeffrey mused to himself, a little taken aback.