Jeffrey tossed out. “Why don’t you try having a talk with Lucas first?”
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“What does that have to do with me?” Stanley immediately distanced himself, then switched topics. “But what’s Jack up to with all this?”
“No idea,” Jeffrey said, ncing at the now–empty doorway. “Maybe he wants me to help him get more of the Quinn family’s assets, or maybe he wants to team up with me on something.
“Who in their right mind tries to team up with someone by hurting their own son?” Stanley couldn’t wrap his head around it.
Jeffrey didn’t bother exining.
Jack didn’t have much pull in the Quinn family, and with his brother constantly putting the screws to him<b>, </b>it was nearly impossible for him to make any progress.
The whole thing with Samuel was probably Jack making ast–ditch move, going all–in because he figured he had nothing left to lose.
“Gregory, Jeffrey called out.
“Yes, boss,” Gregory said<i>, </i>always ready for his orders.
“Call Stephen,” Jeffrey said, his eyes dark and unreadable. “Tell him I’m taking over the Honn branch for now, and he’s in charge of Jsburg.”
“Got it,” Gregory replied.
Since Reba decided to settle down here, Jeffrey stuck around with her for a while. He’d only head back whenever she felt like going.
If she never wanted to leave this ce,
then he’d have no choice but to make her move once Samuel started elementary school.
Stanley reminded him, “Now that you’re sticking around here, what are you nning to do if Andreaes knocking? You know she’s not the type to let things slide.”
Jeffrey replied, his gaze deepening, “I’ll deal with it when she shows up.”
At that very moment,
Andrea had already reached out, but it was Reba she contacted–not Jeffrey.
Reba hadn’t even made it home before she got a call from an unfamiliar number. Before she could say anything, Andrea cut in, “I need to talk to you. Don’t hang up.”
Reba didn’t hesitate–she hung up right away.
10:48 Fri<b>, </b><b>Oct </b><b>3 </b>
Andrea called again.
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Reba hung up again.
Just as she was about to block Andrea, a text came through: [It’s about Samuel. Don’t you even want to hear it?]
While Reba hesitated, Andrea called again. After what happenedst time, Reba was especially concerned about anything involving Samuel.
“What is it?” Reba asked, getting straight to the point.
“Before I tell you, there’s something I need to talk to you about,” Andrea said, her tone serious.
Reba didn’t waste any words. “Say it.”
Andrea blurted out, “Get Jeffrey to wire me 15 million and I’ll disappear from Jsburg for good—nevering back, never using the whole favor thing to get him to do anything. Deal?”
“That’s got nothing to do with me,” Reba replied tly.
“Don’t you even care about having a peaceful life with him?” Andrea’s voice was practically shaking.
Reba hung up.
At that moment, Reba realized Andrea was just using Samuel as an excuse to get her to listen to her outrageous ultimatum, pressuring her to say yes.
Andrea, fuming, spammed Reba’s phone with messages: [Don’t you want to know what’s up with Samuel?]
Andrea: [If you don’t agree, I’m not telling you anything about Samuel.]
Andrea: [Seriously, 15 million’s like pocket change to Jeffrey. Why won’t you just agree?!]
Her messages disappeared into the void–Reba didn’t even give them a nce.
Normally, Andrea would be milking Jeffrey for support as long as she could. Now, out of the blue, she’s asking for cash up front–that was seriously suspicious. Maybe Ian Yeats found out about what Jessica Scott said back at the hospital.
Reba wondered, ‘Was there something off about Andrea going to the hospital?‘
With that in mind,
Reba sent Jessica a voice message: “Did Ian find out something?”
“Wait, how did you know?!” Jessica was right there with Ian. “He didn’t tell you, did he?”
Reba: “Andrea reached out to me. It was just a hunch.”
As soon as Ian heard that, he dialed Reba right away. The second she picked up, he jumped in, “So, what did she want?”
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“She wants me to get Jeffrey to give her 15 million, and says if I do, she’ll never set foot in Jsburg again,” Reba told Ian, repeating Andrea’s words. “Honestly, that just isn’t her style.”
“I followed the clues and tracked down the stic surgeon Andrea went to–the one who specializes in scar removal,” Ian said. “The doctor said he barely remembers Andrea’s case and needs some time <i>to </i>think about it.”
Reba listened, her mind racing.
Ian continued, “And sure enough, just a couple dayster, something blew up.”
Reba frowned, “Something happened?”
“He took a nasty fall while hiking, and now he’s stuck in the ICU,” Ian said, sounding even more suspicious of Andrea.
“We had our doubts about Andrea before, but after hearing what you said, she looks a lot more suspicious,” Jessica said, her tone tense. “Seriously, what kind of scar or secret would make someone go to such lengths to hurt others?<b>” </b>
Reba thought about it for a second, but came up empty. “No clue.”
Honestly, this whole thing didn’t really add up.
Scars or stic surgery–none of that would matter to Jeffrey. He treats Andrea well because she saved his life, end of story. It’s not like the real lifesaver wouldn’t have a scar in that spot, and Andrea just randomly does.
Or maybe there was something else she wanted to tweak about herself?
“Maybe you should try asking Jeffrey?” Jessica offered. “If you figure out what’s going on, maybe Andrea will finally quit causing drama.”
“I’ll think about it,” Reba replied, notmitting right away.
Reba couldn’t care less whether Andrea’s story was legit or just another trick. ‘Honestly, whatever games she’s ying don’t bother me in the slightest,‘ she thought.
The truth was, the cracks between her and Jeffrey had already formed. Even if Andrea’s “savior” act turned out to be a sham, it wouldn’t really make a difference to her situation.
But ironically,
if Andrea’s so–called savior identity did copse, then Jeffrey would just have one more excuse to hold off on the divorce–and he’d probably act even more self–righteous about it.
“Let me handle it–I’ll check him out myself,” Ian said after thinking it through. “<b>If </b>you go asking him about this, he’s totally gonna think you’re trying to make up with him.”
Jessica nodded, grinning. “Yeah, you’re right about that.” <fnc919> Content originallyes from fin?novel</fnc919>
After they hung up,
<b>10:48 </b>Fri<b>, </b><b>Oct </b><b>3 </b>
Reba <b>was </b>just getting home.
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She brushed aside all her swirling thoughts, stepped into the living room, and found an uninvited guest lounging on the couch.
As soon as Ryan saw her, his stern features unexpectedly softened, his gaze gentling as he greeted her. “Reba, you’re back.”
Reba blinked, caughtpletely off guard. ‘Wait, what?‘
Reba’s eyes reflexively went to her mom.
Why is he here now?‘ Reba thought.
Amelia just said, “He wants you to go back with him and take over the Guzman family business.” She wasn’t kicking him out–she was leaving the choice to Reba.
Reba gave Ryan a questioning look, and he said, “Once you’re there, someone will walk you through everything. If it’s not your thing, no worries–just grab your cut and let someone else handle the details.”
“Not interested,” Reba replied, t and firm.
Ryan had pretty much expected that answer, but he wasn’t ready to throw in the towel. “I can help you deal with Jeffrey.”
Reba said, “Mr. Guzman.”
Ryan tried to soften things up. “Just call me Dad… call me Ryan.”
Reba didn’t even acknowledge that. “Why do you think I need you to deal with Jeffrey for me?”
“With his status and all his tricks…” Ryan began.
“I might have issues with Jeffrey, but the beef I have with you is way bigger,” Reba said bluntly, her tone frosty. Her mom was standing her ground, so there was no way she’d even think about backing down. “Don’t ever show up here again. You’re not wee.”
Ryan shot a look at Amelia.
Amelia didn’t even bother to look his way.
Reba’s whole vibe was pure dismissal. “Please.”