<b>Chapter </b><b>124 </b>
With her thoughts sorted out, Reba stepped out of the elevator and followed Jason to the conference
room.
In front of Marcus and Candice sat two untouched cups of coffee. Their faces were stern, radiating an unmistakable sense of authority.
“Take your time. If you need anything, just let me know. I’ll be right outside,” Jason said politely, knowing all too well what it would mean if Primey Technologies were to anger the Hanson family.
Marcus replied, “Yeah.”
As the conference room door closed behind them, Reba found herself alone with Marcus and Candice.
Sitting across from Marcus and Candice, Reba felt thest remnants of fear fade away. She looked them right in the eye and asked casually, “Mr. Hanson, Mrs. Hanson, what brings you here today?”
“Switching the way you address us already, and you haven’t even divorced yet.” Candice’s disapproving re was obvious. “The Jensen family sure has a way with daughters.”
Reba snapped back, “Weren’t you the ones who said you didn’t like me?”
Reba could still recall thatst encounter, every detail crystal clear in her mind. She’d addressed them with all the proper manners, only for Candice to throw her a biting remark: “We don’t like you.”
Reba wasn’t shameless. If they didn’t like her, she’d simply be away from them.
“You really think that just because Jeffrey took care of you for a few years, you have the right to stand up to the Hanson family?” Candice said, her tone heavy with pressure. “If we wanted to, ruining you would be all too easy.”
Reba replied politely, “You’re right.”
Candice’s anger red up instantly. ‘This clueless brat,‘ Candice cursed inwardly. ‘Does this girl seriously think Jeffrey’s going to shield her forever?‘
“Let’s get down to business,” Marcus said, giving Candice a small nudge before fixing his eyes on Reba. “So, when are you two going to divorce?<b>” </b>
“Next Friday,” Reba answered.
Marcus frowned. “Why Friday?”
<b>Reba </b>replied, “That’s the only time he can make it.”
Marcus and Candice exchanged a nce, both thinking that Jeffrey had finallye to his senses and realized what <b>was </b>truly important.
They thought, “They still need to wrap up this divorce as soon as possible. Having Reba around our son is
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like having a ticking time bomb.‘
“Fine,” Marcus said. “Since you’re actually cooperating with the divorce and not clinging or making a scene, we’ll discuss the matter of the child with you.”
Reba paused, raising an eyebrow questioningly. “Child?”
“We went back and thought it over. Jeffrey’s reasoning isn’t wrong, but the kid should still be raised with us,” Marcus said, his tone hard. “Otherwise, people will mock the Hanson family for not even being able to keep our own child.”
“Samuel is mine,” Reba said coldly.
“He’s yours, and he’s ours, too,” Marcus said. “If you don’t cooperate, we’ll have no choice but to force your hand.”
Reba stood up, done talking. “Suit yourselves.”
‘They’re just grandparents. As long as Samuel’s parents are still alive, they’ve got zero chance at custody. Even if they dragged us to court, I’d win, no contest,‘ Reba thought.
“You’re leaving us no choice,” Marcus said angrily.
Reba didn’t bother responding and walked straight to the door. The door had just barely swung open. But four burly bodyguards blocked her way.
“Jason, we’re taking Reba with us for a private talk. She won’t be at work today,” Marcus said, stepping out, making it abundantly clear this wasn’t a suggestion. “Is that clear?”
Jason offered a polite smile. “Go ahead.”
A bad feeling pricked at Reba. “Mr. Smith, I never said I was taking the day off.”
“I’m giving you two days off. Just take this time to talk things over with Marcus and Candice,” Jason said. He’d sized things up instantly. Risking Primey Technologies for an outsider like Reba wasn’t worth it, especially since Jeffrey didn’t stop them.
Reba was jolted by a harsh realization. ‘So, this is what real power looks like,‘ she thought. People like me, small fry, can be discarded whenever it suits them. The thought left Reba bitterly aware of her vulnerability.
“Why are you just standing there?” Marcus barked, ring at Reba’s guarded face. “Do you want me to have the bodyguards drag you over?”
“Isn’t it all about getting custody of the kid?” Reba said, deciding she’d have to get through this round with them first. Thest thing she wanted was to actually go anywhere with Marcus and Candice. “I’m willing to negotiate.”
Marcus narrowed his eyes. “Negotiate?”
“Yes,” Reba replied.
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Marcus grabbed a divorce agreement and slid it across to her. His face was all business, eyes so sharp it felt like they could see straight through any scheme she had. “Sign this first. Then we talk.”
Reba took the papers and nced over them. It was a clean break that she’d walk away with nothing, and Jeffrey would get full custody of Samuel.
Reba considered just signing it to throw them off. After all, she had the old divorce agreement tucked away. But she didn’t want to risk it.
With the Hanson family’s power, forging Jeffrey’s signature would be a piece of cake for them. And getting the divorce finalized behind his back wouldn’t be hard either.
Once that happened, getting Samuel back would be next to impossible.
“So, you’re refusing to sign?” Marcus said, his tone ice–cold.
“That’s right,” Reba replied, meeting his gaze without flinching.
“Then don’t me me for what happens next,” Marcus said, passing the divorce agreement to a bodyguard. “Take Reba with us.”
The bodyguards responded in unison, “Yes, sir!”
Reba nced over at Jason, hoping for a lifeline, but he just offered a smile. “Afraid I can’t help you. This is family business, and it’s out of my hands.”
Reba was forcibly escorted away. Four bodyguards nked her, two in front and two behind, marching her out. Midway, Reba covertly messaged Jessica and Ian on her phone, then tried to call the police.
Marcus caught her in the act and calmly reached over, cutting off the call. “If you dare call the cops again, I’ll make sure your mother in the hospital and your friends in Jsburg pay the price,” he warned, his tone cold and threatening.
Reba gripped her phone tightly in her hand.
“And those friends you tried to contact? If any of them show up, I’ll make sure they regret it,” Marcus threatened, his voice icy and ruthless.
Reba’s <i>gaze </i>sharpened with a hint of ridicule. ‘So, that’s why my messages went out so smoothly. They let me do it on purpose, Reba thought. She deleted the messages, just praying her friends hadn’t seen them
yet.
Marcus and Candice watched her like hawks, catching every tiny move. Candice asked, “Why didn’t you try calling Jeffrey?”
“No need,” Reba replied coolly, keeping her distance.
‘So, that’s Jeffrey’s answer. He’s done trying to help me. I guess he’s letting go, for good,‘ Reba thought to
herself.
‘Maybe it’s better this way. Maybe now I’m actually free, she told herself. ‘But for some reason, my heart still
12:23 Thu, Sep <b>25 </b>
feels tangled up
inside.‘
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“d you understand,” Marcus said, sounding satisfied. “Sign the divorce papers now, or you’ll have a much rougher time afterward.”
Reba didn’t say a word. No way was she ever handing over Samuel, not now, not ever.
‘So, Jeffrey spent his whole childhood under threats and power ys like these?‘ Reba thought, a mix of disbelief and sympathy tugging at her heart.
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