<b>Chapter </b><b>131 </b>
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Reba never cared much about people’s stares or opinions, but she was dying to break free <b>from </b><b>the </b>whole “Mrs. Hanson”bel.
She wanted to show Jeffrey that she could thrive on her own, even without him. For five years of their marriage, she hadn’t earned a dime.
It was not because she couldn’t, but because he’d said he’d handle all the bills and she should just care for their kid and love him. And that–he had no idea.
He didn’t realize that the things he said to push Reba into leaving him, just to get a rise out of her, had turned into the sharpest thorn buried deep in her heart.
Because he didn’t understand, even though he loved her and thought he knew her inside out, he still couldn’t see why she was so upset. “I never tried to ruin your career, and I’m not interfering with your work,” he said.
“In everyone’s eyes, I’m just another employee,” Reba shot back, staring him down. “You’re <i>a </i>billionaire, but you bring me breakfast. What do you think they’ll make of that?”
“You work hard, and I appreciate it,” Jeffrey said, his lips barely moving.
Reba started to say something, but swallowed her words. He wasn’t wrong, but to most people, it would just look like something was going on between them, or even something more. Only a handful would see it the way he did.
“Stop doing these things for me. Seriously, what’s the point? I’m just another regr employee at Primey Technologies,” Reba said, her voice firm. “Gossip like that? It’s too much. And I don’t want all my hard wo to be for nothing.”
She didn’t even wait for Jeffrey’s reaction. She just turned around and walked off.
“Wait,” Jeffrey called out.
Reba paused, her back to him, her tone frosty and detached. “What else do you need, Mr. Hanson?”
“Head home and get ready. Next Monday you’ll be heading out of town for a week–it’s a training trip, Jeffrey said, passing her a folder.
Reba paused, raising an eyebrow questioningly. She turned to look at him. “A business trip? Seriously?” She took the paperwork from him and skimmed through it, her gaze settling on the words: Hanson Group’s gaming division.
“You guys are talented, but honestly,pared to Hanson Group’s in–house artists, there’s still a gap,” Jeffrey admitted–partly personal, partly professional. “Go learn from them, pick up what you can, and let’s make
game our best work yet.”
this
Reba paused, gripping the folder, her mind racing with uncertainty.
Jeffrey added, “I mean, you want the first game you’re really a part of to be as perfect as possible, right?”
<b>Sep </b>
“Why can’t the <b>rest </b>of the team go too?” Reba asked, switching gears.
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Jeffrey shrugged, “Look, I won’t force you. If you’re busy or just not feeling it, I’ll toss the whole n. Your call. If you say yes, I’ll make it official.”
He had plenty of ways to boost Primey Technologies, so whether this game turned out perfect didn’t really matter to him. Even if it ended up less than ideal, he could still make good on his deal with Jason.
But Jeffrey saw just how much effort Reba was putting into this, and he genuinely wanted her to make it big on her own terms.
“I’m just one of the team, you know? Decisions like this shouldn’tnd on me, and honestly, I can’t shoulder all that responsibility,” Reba said tly. She really didn’t like mixing personal favors with professional matters in the office.
Jeffrey understood exactly what she meant. He didn’t bother asking for her opinion again. He just gave her the official word. “Let the team know. You’re all heading out next Monday.”
“Got it,” Reba replied, her lips barely moving.
She headed back to her desk with the folder in hand. Besides her, E and a few other teammates were also going: some focused on the scenery, some took care of the characters, and others worked on nning.
Reba let each of them know about the trip, one by one.
When E heard the news, she was stunned. “Is Mr. Hanson out of his mind?”
Reba paused, raising an eyebrow questioningly.
“He’s letting us go learn at his ownpany. Doesn’t he worry we’ll swipe their ideas?” E asked, curiosity written all over her face.
“Now that’s where you’ve got it wrong,” the concept artist butted in. “Anybody who’s ever tried ripping them off? Theirwyers have wrecked them in court–never lost a case, not even once.”
“Reba, what’s going on between you and Mr. Hanson? Why are you the one telling us all this?” someone blurted out, eyes filled with curiosity.
“I even spotted him dropping off breakfast for you this morning,” another added, raising an eyebrow.
“Seriously, does he have a thing for you?” someone else teased.
All those rumors that had been squashed before just came rushing back. Everyone started specting. throwing Reba curious looks. She hated being in the spotlight like this, but there was no way to change what people thought.
“Can you guys chill with the romance drama all the time?” E said, rolling her eyes. “So he brings her breakfast, and you all think he likes her? What if he did that for you every day? Would you suddenly think he’s crushing on you?
“And if passing out assignments means someone’s into you, then what about our boss? He hands out tasks <i>to </i>
12:26 Fri<b>, </b>Sep 26
everyone–guess that means he’s got a thing for the whole office, huh?” <ol><li>ZL) </li></ol>
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E really let them have it, not giving anyone a chance to interrupt. Everyone backed down, and nobody dared go back to gossiping like before.
“The supervisor and Mr. Hanson are on entirely different ying fields,” Lisa finally chimed in. Ever since Reba overheard her talking with Jeffrey, things between them had been getting more and more frosty
At the start, Lisa tried to patch things up. But Reba kept giving her the cold shoulder, acting all high and mighty, so Lisa just stopped bothering to be nice.
“Plus, think about it,” Lisa went on, “when our supervisor tells us to do something, it’s always just our names.
“But Mr. Hanson? He calls Reba all sweet, and with everything that’s happened before, you really think he’s got no feelings for her?”
Everyone else just shut up, not daring to say another word. Lisa’sment was <i>way </i>too blunt. She wasn’t just gossiping anymore. It sounded like she wanted to settle the whole thing.
E never liked her, so she fired back without thinking, “What does it matter to you if they have feelings or not? You getting all hyped up just because of a nickname?”
“I’m just telling it like it is,” Lisa replied coolly. “If there’s really nothing between her and Mr. Hanson, howe she hasn’t denied it?”
As soon as Lisa dropped that line, all eyes locked onto Reba.
Most folks were just bored, looking for a little drama and ready to watch the show. Only a few, like Lisa, w just itching for some scandal they could dish aboutter when everyone’s grabbing coffee.
“Reba,” Jane said, her voice calm as the conversation was winding down. “Anything you care to set the record straight about, or maybe deny?”
Reba’s response was cool and t. “No.”
Lisa shrugged. “See? She doesn’t even care to deny-”
Reba cut in. “What, every time someone takes a shot at me, I’m supposed to fire back? It’s a waste of time and energy. Not worth it.”
“You!” Lisa was caught off guard, her face turning bright red.
Reba didn’t even nce her way.
Lisa clenched her fists and finally snapped, “Don’t think I don’t know what’s going on between you and Mr. Hanson. You’re just his little side piece, hiding in the shadows. Why act so high and mighty?”
“If I really were Jeffrey’s secret lover, do you honestly think you’d still be working at Primey Technologies?” Reba shot back, her gaze drilling straight into Lisa, fearless and intense.
Lisa froze, her face going pale.
<i>111 </i>
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Reba didn’t back down, shooting her a re. “You’re calling me a side piece, but can you prove ir
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