ub Younnars
“Fine.” Jeffrey replied, not missing a beat, his gaze unwavering. “If there’s one thing I’ve got plenty of, it’s cash.
With that, he hung up.
Stephen spoke up before Jeffrey could end the call. “Wait.”
Jeffrey’s voice was cool and indifferent. “What is it?”
“I won’t reach out to Andrea again,” Stephen said, still uncertain whether Jeffrey was bluffing or not, but wanting to y it safe. “But you stay out of my business, too.”
Jeffrey didn’t say a word and just hung up.
He had zero interest in meddling in other people’s business; that was just his way of warning Stephen to back off.
Honestly, Stephen clearly cares about whether Karen stays or goes, but he still lets his parents pick out a fiancée for him. Pathetic.
Half an hourter.*
Jeffrey pulled up at Harmony Estate.
Andrea was sitting on the living room couch, clearly furious, with the two bodyguards Jeffrey had hired for her standing stiffly in front of her.
As soon as Jeffrey walked in, Andrea jumped up and started airing her grievances, “I just asked them to help me move a few things, and they t–out refused. Then they started talking trash right to my face. So, what are you going to do about this?”
Jeffrey gave them an icy stare.
The two bodyguards started trembling.
“So, how do you want me to handle it?” Jeffrey asked.
“Make them p themselves and kneel down to apologize to me,” Andrea demanded, not holding back anymore–she was just acting like herself now.
“They work for me, that’s it,” Jeffrey replied, his voice cool and steady. “I can’t just order them around to do stuff like that.”
Andrea shot back, “If you say the word, they’ll do it.”
Jeffrey fixed her with an intimidating stare.
Andrea’s bravado faltered for a second, but she stubbornly continued, “So, all that talking about taking care of me–was that just for show? You can’t even bother to stick up for me when I need it?”
<b>11:03 </b><b>Thu</b><b>, </b><b>Oct </b><b>2 </b>
Vow here
“You seriously have no idea why they said those things?” Jeffrey asked, his tone sharp but not quite exposing
her.
For a split second, Andrea’s heart skipped a beat, caught off guard by his words.
What does he mean by that?‘ Andrea’s mind spun.
Is he referring to what they said, or the fact that they insulted me?‘ she wondered, confused.
“I’m keeping quiet about some things to save your dignity,” Jeffrey said as he stepped closer. <b>“</b>But don’t think that means I don’t know exactly what’s going on.”
“W–What are you getting at?” Andrea stammered, still determined to keep up her act until the bitter end, not willing to admit a thing.
“Just keep living your life the way you are,” Jeffrey warned, his voice low<i>, </i>“Everything you’ve got now will stay yours–as long as you know your limits. But if you get greedy or start ying games, don’t be shocked if things turn ugly fast.”
“Are you going back on your promise?” Andrea’s heart lurched, panic shing in her eyes.
“Do you even understand what kind of man Stephen is?” Jeffrey cut her off, throwing the question straight at her without even bothering to answer her usation.
Andrea’s face drained of color, a chill creeping down her spine.
‘He really does know,‘ Andrea thought, her heart sinking.
“Anyone who tries to profit off him always ends up stripped bare,” Jeffrey said, his voice even, almost detached. “Any idea why he’s actually helping you?”
Andrea wanted to say it was because Stephen just wanted to make her life difficult.
But from the look in Jeffrey’s eyes, Andrea realized things weren’t nearly that simple.
“He’s got a friend in bad shape who needs a heart transnt,” Jeffrey went on. “He was desperate for a suitable donor for the longest time, but out of nowhere, he dropped the search.”
Andrea flinched, her voice trembling. “Are you saying…”
Jeffrey replied, “I’m only telling you about him, nothing more.”
Andrea fought to keep her fear in check, forcing herself to stay calm.
‘If Stephen’s only helping me because my heart matches his friend’s–what happens to me after that?‘ Andrea wondered, anxiety gnawing at her.
The two bodyguards practically jumped out of their skins.
‘Wait—since when did our boss want her freaking heart?!‘ Their minds went nk, totally freaked out.
<b>11:03 </b>Thu<b>, </b><b>Oct </b><b>2 </b>
A
80
‘Seriously, Mr. Hanson, stop making up wild stories! They wanted to yell on the spot.
55 vouchers
“You can’t let him take my heart!” Andrea clung to Jeffrey’s arm in a panic, voice trembling with fear. “I’m your lifesaver—it’s your job to keep me safe!”
“Usually, sure,” Jeffrey said, smoothly pulling his arm free, totally unfazed. “But if you ever offer up your heart to him yourself–whether you realize it or not–then even I can’t help you.”
Andrea tried to recall everything they’d talked about before, going over the details in her head.
Honestly, their conversation had seemed totally ordinary–just boring, everyday stuff.
But then she remembered just how devious Stephen really was, and a chill ran down her spine. What if she’d walked right into his trap?
“So, have you decided what to do with them?” Jeffrey asked, smoothly changing the subject.
“Just rece them,” Andrea said, not daring to push her luck any further.
Jeffrey shot a look at the two bodyguards, still standing stiff ás boards. “You heard her?”
The bodyguards kept up their act, protesting, “We didn’t do anything wrong! Why are you firing us?”
“Want me to call Stephen and let him deal with you?” Jeffrey said tly, busting through their act without a hint of mercy.
Wide–eyed, the two bodyguards nearly had heart attacks.
Pure terror was written all over their faces.
‘Wait, how did Mr. Hanson figure out we’re Stephen’s guys?‘ they thought, heart pounding.
Questions buzzing in their heads, they didn’t dare say a word–just slipped out the door as fast as they could.
“Problem solved,” Jeffrey said, ncing at Andrea. “Get some rest. I’m heading out.”
Andrea asked, “Aren’t you staying?”
Jeffrey just pressed his lips together, staying silent.
Andrea tried to y it cool, but couldn’t hide the nerves in her voice. “I’m just… a little freaked out. What if Stephen sends someone after me tonight to take my heart?”
Jeffrey brushed off her fear, his voice t. “This is a society withws. Stephen’s not some lunatic running wild. Just don’t contact him and none of that crazy stuff will ever happen.”
Andrea hesitated, wanting to say something else, but the words caught in her throat.
Jeffrey said a few brief words to the staff and headed out, leaving her alone in the room.
As Jeffrey’s car drove farther and farther away, Andrea’s hands tightened into fists at her sides, and her chest
<b>11:03 </b><b>Thu</b><b>, </b><b>Oct </b><b>2 </b>
80
356 vouchers
was heavy with frustration.
She knew full well that Jeffrey was just getting more and more neglectfultely. He used to always respond to her moods and wishes, but now–even when she was genuinely scared–he wouldn’t even stay with her.
He said he’d take care of her.
But he hadn’t kept his word at all.
The more she thought about it, the darker her mood became.
Suddenly, her phone began to buzz. She wasn’t in the mood to answer, but when she saw the caller ID, she frowned.
She walked back to her bedroom and picked up the call. “Dr. Cole?”
“Ms. Scott,” came the upbeat voice of a young man on the other end. “Long time no see.” <fn1683> Updates are released by FιndＮovel</fn1683>
Andrea couldn’t shake a bad feeling. “Is there something you need?”
After the surgery, there was nothing more between them–their lives stopped crossing paths.
No way something goodes out of a call like this out of the blue.
“Yesterday, someone reached out asking if I’d ever treated a woman named Andrea Scott,” Ben said, voice slow and casual. “I told them I couldn’t recall and needed to think it over. So, Andrea, do you want me to ‘remember,‘ or forget I ever knew you?”
“Just answer exactly like we talked about before,” Andrea replied, each word firm and deliberate.
“They’re offering me 150 thousand,” Ben said, his tone almost yful. “And if I can actually show proof I treated you, they said they’d sweeten the deal.”
Andrea pressed, “Who was it?”
Ben answered, “Can’t really say–just that it’s some young guy, that’s all I’ll give you.”
Andrea shot back, voice tight. “Don’t forget what you promised.”
“Times have changed,” Ben Cole said over the phone. “Back when I did that surgery for you, I had no clue the scar would be such a headache. If I want to avoid trouble, maybe I’d better just keep my hands clean…”
“Just tell me how much do you want?” Andrea demanded, drawing in a shaky breath.
Ben Cole answered, “1 million.”
Andrea blurted out, “Where am I supposed to pull 1 million out of thin air for you?!”
Ben Cole just shrugged, “That’s your mess to handle, not mine. If you don’t have it and someonees asking, I’ll spill the truth, no skin off my back.”