Riley lounged on the sofa. “I know you don’t listen, so I won’t bother persuading you. But think about it. If Reba and Samuel walk away over all this and never return, won’t you regret it?”
Jeffrey poured himself a drink in silence. His life was already littered with regrets; the one that hurt him most had happened long ago when he was still young-
“I’m heading out,” Riley said, tapping her ss against theirs. “Been back this long and still haven’t seen my mentor. She finished her drink and left without a word.
Stanley shot her desperate nces, trying to get her to stay, but Riley didn’t even give him a look <b>as </b>she strode out, totally unfazed and cool as ever.
“Riley makes sense. Stanley ventured, his <b>voice </b>awkward. He knew better than to push this issue too much. “Nobody wants to see you like this, not even him.”
Jeffrey gave Stanley a cold stare, and Stanley instantly shut his mouth, not daring to say another word.
Jeffrey stared at his phone, still ck and lifeless. “Try calling her again. Tell her I’ve cked out.”
Stanley clicked right <b>away</b>. “Got it.”
Jeffrey added. “Get Barry to back you up and y along.”
Stanley nodded. “No problem.”
Just to be sure, Jeffrey pulled out his phone and sent a <b>quick </b>message to the driver who’d been escorting
Reba
Reba had just arrived at Reba’s Manor and <b>was </b>still in the car when her phone rang.
“Would you minding to pick up Jeffrey!” Stanley said through the phone, his tone carrying a hint of difficulty. “He refuses to leave with Barry. He keeps saying he wants you there.”
In the background, Barry’s muffled voice could be heard. “Ms. Jensen is busy at the moment. Pleasee
with me.”
Stanley hesitated, “Do you think you coulde over for a bit?”
Once Reba made up her mind, there was no changing it. She refused directly. “<b>No.</b><b>” </b>
“I wouldn’t call if I had a choice, Stanley said, searching for words. “You know Jeffrey isn’t the type to drink without reason. If he’s like this, something’s really hurting him.”
Reba didn’t say anything, just waited for Stanley to finish.
Seeing she was starting to crack. Stanley pressed his luck. “Just this once, alright? Next time he wants to drink, <b>I </b>swear I’ll stop him.”
10:33 Mon, Sep 29 ”
“Mr. <b>Garcia</b>, what if Mr. Hanson refuses toe with me? Barry chined in, ying his part perfectly.
Tous it just hold tight Stanley replied casually. Keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn’t wander off
“Ti
Reba listened to their conversation and immediately called them out. Jeffrey’s not someone who gets drunk just because he’s upset”
Stanley and Barry instinctively looked at Jeffrey, who stayed silent. They knew deep down Reba was most likely telling the truth.
“If he’s that drunk, just <b>leave </b>him there, Reba snapped, still pissed, “He’lle back once he sobers up. You don’t need to do a thing?
Stanley and Barry nced at each other, knowing that Reba really didn’t mess around.
Reba hung up without a second thought and stepped out of the car. She couldn’t care less what was happening to Jeffrey
The driver, following Jeffrey’s strict orders, keptpletely silent, terrified that even <b>a </b>single stray word would set off Reba’s suspicion,
As Reba entered, Victor said, “Ms. Jensen, <b>these </b>are your belongings from Maple Garden. Mr. Hanson had us sort and bring everything. Please check if <b>anything’s </b>missing
Reba shot the luggage a quick look and couldn’t help thinking. “Talk about impatient. They’d nned to handle this together, but Jeffrey had already rushed ahead and had it all sent over before she could blink
“No,” Reba said. She didn’t have much stuff there anyway, and kept her important documents with her most of the time. As she scanned the boxes, something important suddenly popped into her mind.
The night when Jessica had <b>that </b>brake failure, Reba had stayed over at Reba’s Manor. Worried he’d discover it, she’d tucked her mom’s property transfer paperwork under the pillow. She had left in such a hurry and forgotten all about it.
Reba rushed toward the master bedroom, her heart racing. The maid, Mary Shaw, had changed those sheets several times already. Reba guessed that the paperwork might have gotten tossed out, or maybe Jeffrey had already found it.
When she walked in, Mary was changing the sheets, Seeing Reba, she handed her a bundle of papers. “Ms. Jensen, I found these under the pillow while cleaning. Mr. Hanson left them there for days. I wasn’t sure if he forgot.
Reba took the papers, recognizing at once that it was her property transfer. “I left it here before,” she said, honest and upfront<b>. </b>
Apparently, Jeffrey never looked under the pillow, and since Mary always put things back when changing the sheets, no one had noticed it until now.
“That’s good then, Mary replied.
Reba tucked the paperwork away. “Thanks.”
“Mrs Mc Jensen, Mary started almost calling Reba Mrs fan not of at litore quickly
Himon‘
herself
Reba paused for a moment when she heard the change in address the knee jetty Food rdered there to call her “Ms. Jensen
Mary hesitated and then said, “I probably shouldn’t meddle, but we all see how much you and Mr. Hanson mean to each other. We just want you two to be happy”
Reba just nodded. I know.
Mary opened her mouth<b>, </b>almost as if she might say more, but ultimately just kept it to herself. She quickly finished swapping out the sheets, hugged the old bedding to her chest, and slipped renerly out of the rootri
Reba slipped the papers into her suitcase. She was about to find something to do, but realized all she cared about these days was hustling for cash. <fn8c4d> ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? find{n}ovel</fn8c4d>
She used to love setting out fresh flowers and rearranging the ce just to keep the house feeling new, now, she couldn’t care less<b>. </b>
Thinking about all <b>that</b>, she headed for the study. Her painting stuff had been moved there. Since she couldn’t bring herself to do anything fun, she might as well throw herself into work and keep busy.
She’d just booted up herputer and hadn’t even opened a new file when Victor came in. Victor reported. “Ms. Jensen, there’s someone at the door. Would you like me to let them <b>in</b><b>?</b>”
Reba was confused.
Victor quickly added, “It’s Andrea.”
Reba shifted her focus to herputer. “Doesn’t concern me. Go ask Jeffrey.”
“Mr. Hanson said you’re the one calling the shots at Reba’s Manor, Victor replied, his tone unfailin respectful, with a trace of suggestion. “His opinion <bes </b>second to yours.”
Reba scoffed inwardly. Her words stayed icy. “Then tell her to leave.”
Victor nodded. “Got it.”
Reba raised an eyebrow, thinking<b>. </b>‘Did Victor just wait for me to say that?
It wasn’t long before Andrea’s <b>voice </b>cut sharply through the air outside, snapping at the staff. “What right do you have to keep me <b>out</b>? Jeffrey told me I coulde and go whenever I wanted. You can’t stop me!”
“That was then. Things have changed, <b>Victor </b>replied, polite but detached.
“Then get him out of here! I want a face–to–face with <b>him</b>,” Andrea huffed, clearly fuming.
“Mr. Hanson isn’t home,” Victor answered calmly. “But if you’d like to meet thedy of the manor, I can check if she’s interested in seeing you.”
10:33 Mon, Sep <b>29 </b>
“Reba, you mean? Andrea snapped without missing a beat.
“Yes, Victor replied.
Upstairs, Reba caught every word loud and clear. No way she could get any peace with Andrea making a scene. So when Victor came up for her again, she followed him downstairs.
When they came face to face, Andrea’s eyes were full of unwilling resentment, while Reba remained calm and indifferent.
Victor handed Reba a tablet. “Mr. Hanson transferred the house to you a while ago,” he said. “You’re in full control. You can decide who enters or locks them out if you want.”
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