<b>Chapter </b>112
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Derek took the dishwasher voucher and the 1,000 dors in cash. After giving her a quick thanks, he left.
After work, she overheard Derek on the phone. Only then did she realize why all the fuss had happened.
“Hey, babe, I bought that dishwasher we liked,” Derek said as he walked, phone to his ear. “It was 1,000 dors cheaper than what we saw online. I only spent 9 thousand dors.”
Reba immediately understood. She hadn’t expected that Derek, usually so honest and easygoing, would deceive his wife over such a trivial matter.
She acted like she hadn’t heard and walked to the subway. She had intended to pick up Samuel herself, but Jessica had already taken care of it.
When she got home, she saw Jessica and felt a little surprised. “Ian said you’ve been really busytely.”
“It’s all done,” Jessica blurted out.
Reba set down her bag and walked over.
With <i>a </i>sly smile, Jessica whispered, “Do you know what I’ve been up totely?”
Reba shook her head.
Jessica said, “A few days ago, Dad told me Andrea contacted him, demanding shares of the Scott Group, as well as my entertainmentpany and other assets.”
Jessica hadn’t mentioned it earlier to keep Reba from worrying. She continued, “Andrea said that if we didn’t agree, Jeffrey would help her get them.”
Reba felt <i>a </i>jolt of concern and frowned. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“I didn’t want you to worry,” Jessica said bluntly. “Besides, I’ve already taken care of part of it.”
Curious, Reba asked, “How did you handle it?”
Jessica said slowly, “I had someone look into Andrea, and they found some secrets she’s been hiding. I’m going to bring it up with her tomorrow.”
“It might not be that easy,” Reba said carefully, knowing Andrea well. “Jeffrey spoils her. He’ll go to great lengths to hide whatever she doesn’t want anyone to know.”
“Guess what? She deliberately hid this from Jeffrey,” Jessica said with a smile.
Reba felt puzzled. She thought, ‘What could Andrea possibly be hiding from Jeffrey? She has already made <b>it </b>clear she’s not exactly a good person.
By noon the next day, Reba skipped lunch and headed straight to the hospital where Andrea was. Jessica offered toe along, saying she might be able to help.
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Andrea wasn’t surprised to see them. Instead, she greeted them politely, “Hi. Didn’t expect you’de to visit
me.”
“I’m here to discuss the ownership of my entertainmentpany, Jessica said, cutting straight to the point.
“You should talk to Jeffrey,” Andrea said with a smile, openly showing her ambition. “I’ve handed the whole thing over to him.”
“Are you sure you want me to talk to him?” Jessica asked.
Andrea had no idea she was about to hear news that would unsettle her. “Of course,” she replied.
“Cool,” Jessica agreed cheerfully. She stood, looking calm, and added, “I’ll also let him know you went <i>to </i>see the doctor. Seems like he doesn’t know about this yet.”
“Go ahead. What’s the big deal about seeing-” Andrea stopped mid–sentence. Her smile disappeared, and she stared at Jessica and Reba.
She thought, ‘What did that mean? Did she know something?‘
“What exactly do you mean?” She sat up in bed, quietly clenching her hand under the nket.
“You heard me,” Jessica said as she sat back down, a hint of provocation in her eyes. “Do you still want me to talk to Jeffrey now?”
“Speak. What are your terms?” Andrea asked.
Jessica said firmly, “I don’t care whether you’re interested in Eugene’s shares, but you won’t take anything from me. Otherwise, I’ll tell Jeffrey your secret.”
Andrea’s hand curled into a fist.
She thought, ‘Jessica probably didn’t know why I had visited the doctor. If she did, she would have told Jeffrey already!’
If Jeffrey found out, he would probably give up on Andrea without a second thought. Without his help, even if she got Eugene’s shares, they could easily be taken back.
“So, what’s your answer?” Jessica asked, noticing that she seemed to have reached a conclusion.
After some careful thought, Andrea finally agreed. “Alright, but I have conditions.”
Jessica shrugged. “Go ahead.”
Andrea spoke slowly, her eyes full of resentment. “From now on, you’re not allowed to investigate me, nor can you tell
anyone what you know.”
“Deal,” Jessica agreed without hesitation.
Andrea turned to Reba, her gaze sharp. “And her, too.”
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Jessica replied, “Sure.”
:.
Reba didn’t say a word.
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With the matter settled, Andrea called Jeffrey. However, the call went unanswered until it disconnected automatically.
Andrea’s expression gradually darkened. Not wanting to embarrass herself, she said, “Jeffrey must be in a meeting. I’ll try againter.”
Ever since what happened two nights ago, Jeffrey hadn’t answered her calls, replied to her messages, ore to see her.
All Andrea could think about was what he had said when leaving. He said, “Don’t you think you’re rushing things a bit?”
“What if you’re lying to me?” Jessica didn’t buy it.
“I can’t do anything right now. He’s not picking up,” Andrea said, annoyed again. “Do you want me to take you to the Hanson Group to see him?”
“No need,” Jessica said. She had another goal besides negotiating with Andrea here. “Reba, give me your phone.”
Reba passed her phone to her without hesitation.
Jessica found Jeffrey’s number and called him.
Both Reba and Andrea were speechless.
Andrea knew Jessica was deliberately humiliating her, but there was nothing she could do.
Jeffrey, in a meeting, heard the special ringtone. He checked his phone, and after a moment’s pause upon seeing Reba’s name, he picked up. “What’s up?”
He knew she wouldn’t call over something minor, especially with the current strain in their rtionship.
“Hi, Mr. Hanson, this is Jessica,” she said, putting the phone on speaker, looking proudly at Andrea, who was clearly annoyed.
What she didn’t know was that during the few seconds she spoke, Jeffrey felt a twinge of unease.
He thought something had happened to Reba; otherwise, Jessica wouldn’t be calling him with her phone.
Just as he was about to ask what was happening, Jessica continued, “Andrea tried calling you, but you pick up, so I just used Reba’s phone to check if you were busy.”
didn’t
Jeffrey quickly hung up, his face darkening. He wondered, ‘Why are they with Andrea?‘
“Looks like Mr. Hanson really doesn’t want to talk to you. The moment he heard your name, he hung up,” Jessica said to Andrea, handing the phone back to Reba.
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She said, “Since he refuses tomunicate with you, just send him a message to tell him about our deal.”
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