<b>Chapter 227 </b>


    75 vouchers


    “Mr. Guzman, do you need Mr. Stephen Hanson’s contact info?” Gregory asked, looking all businesslike as he finished re–wrapping the bandage. “I can get it for you.”


    “No need,” Ryan said, casting a brief nce at the still–pale guy. “I don’t have time to worry about someone who doesn’t matter.”


    With that, he walked off without sticking around.


    After getting into the car, he realized he’d actually knocked on Ryan’s window just to ask why he hadn’t left yet. ‘Talk about a pointless move,‘ he thought, a bit amused at himself.


    He turned, shot onest look through the back window, then shrugged it off and told the driver, “Let’s go.”


    Jeffrey didn’t leave right away. He had Gregory drive the car to a spot hidden from view, and they waited quietly until 10:30 PM, when brilliant fireworks exploded over the front yard of the vi, painting the night sky with color. Only then did Jeffrey finally head out.


    He pulled out his phone and shot her a quick message: [Happy birthday, Reba.]


    Reba saw it.


    She gazed out her window at the never–ending fireworks. ‘He set that up just for me, Reba thought softly to herself.


    Just like in Jsburg, fireworks weren’t banned in Honn unless there was some special situation. Every year on her birthday, Jeffrey would work things out with the officials,e up with some reason, and make sure she had fireworks. This year was no different.


    Midnight rolled around.


    Reba opened up Jeffrey’s chat, typed out “Happy birthday,” and had her finger on send. Just as she was about to tap it, she suddenly hesitated.


    Jeffrey hadn’t mentioned taking her back to Jsburg these past few days, and he’d been calm the whole time. But still, they hadn’t officially split up yet.


    After mulling it over, she erased the message.


    Just then, Jeffrey texted her: [It’s your birthday. Got any wishes? (Don’t pick anything about me.)]


    Reba hesitated for a beat.


    Every year, she’d make two birthday wishes–one for herself and another for Jeffrey, right after midnight when it turned into his birthday. She’d asked once why he never made a wish of his own, but his answer was always the same: the only thing he ever wanted was to stay by her side.


    His wish had alreadye true, so nothing else mattered to him.


    138


    In all five years of their marriage, Jeffrey had made every single one of her wishese true—no exceptions.


    Jeffrey: Just tell me what you want. I’ll make it happen.J


    Reba closed the chat window without replying.


    The way things stood between them now, these kinds of mixed signals really didn’t make sense anymore. Answering him now would just make him think they still had a chance, and once he started hoping, he’d never let her walk away.


    Jeffrey waited for five minutes, but she still didn’t text back.


    ‘She saw it for sure.‘ Jeffrey thought, noticing the “typing…” bubble pop up in the chat–that was all the proof he needed.


    After a moment’s hesitation, he sent another message: [Received your blessing.]


    Reba: [??]


    When did I ever actually send him a blessing?‘ Reba muttered inwardly,pletely bewildered.


    Jessica came out of the bathroom and saw Reba frowning, looking a bit annoyed. She nced at Reba’s phone screen, which was still lit up. “Did Jeffrey piss you off?”


    “Not really,” Reba said honestly.


    Jessica ran a towel through her mostly dry hair and sat down next to Reba. “Have you ever considered a question?”


    Reba nced over at her. “What is it?”


    “If Andrea gets in trouble and Jeffrey decides to cut her offpletely,” Jessica asked seriously, “what if hees back to you, wanting to patch things up? What would you do?”


    “I wouldn’t do anything,” Reba answered, firm. “The divorce is still happening.”


    “Good,” Jessica said, exhaling in relief.


    That night, the two of them crashed together.


    They had a proper sleepover, sharing the bed like besties.


    At first, they just gossiped about Reba and Jeffrey, then moved on to the Quinn family and the Guzman family. Soon enough, Jessica was spilling all the juiciest office drama, and when morning came, they were both totally wiped out, yawning like crazy.


    Jessica was so tired she could barely keep her eyes open. “Let’s just sleep in a bit longer. We don’t have to work today anyway.”


    “You go ahead,” Reba said, forcing herself out of bed. Her head was still fuzzy from staying up all night. “I’ve got a meeting with Ms. White, Attorney. I’ll wake you up when I get back.”


    “Alright,” Jessica mumbled, pulling the covers over her head and crashing right back to sleep.


    <b>? </b>(38


    35 vouchers


    At 9:30 AM, Reba showed up at the spot where she was meeting Ms. White, Attorney.


    She’d barely taken her seat when aposed, professional–looking woman in a tailored business suit approached–the kind of person whose calm confidence made everyone around her rx. Her hair was neatly swept back, and she radiated a briskpetence.


    It was only Reba’s second time seeing Ms. White, Attorney, yet she still found herself admiring her. “Ms. White,” Reba greeted, unable to hide her awe.


    “Hope I didn’t keep you waiting,” Ms. White, Attorney said, settling in across from her, her smile gentle and reassuring.


    They exchanged a couple polite words.


    Reba filled her in again about everything that had gone down at the hospital. It wasn’t exactly fresh news anymore–just her retelling the details. <fn4a39> Checktest chapters at find~novel</fn4a39>


    “It’s fine, honestly. I only had you go to see if by any chance something unexpected woulde up,” Ms. White, Attorney said knowingly–after all, we’re talking about Jeffrey here. “Since there’s nothing more to be done, I’ll head to the court tomorrow and submit thewsuit. Just hang tight and let me handle it.”


    Reba nodded. “Alright.”


    “There’s one thing you need to know before we get started,” Ms. White, Attorney said.


    “Sure,” Reba nodded.


    “This could turn into a real marathon, so you’d better buckle up,” Ms. White, Attorney warned,ying it all out. “He’s the type to y dirty just to keep from signing those divorce papers.”


    Reba didn’t even blink. “Trust me, I’m ready for whateveres.”


    He could just ignore the court’s calls and pretend he never got served, so the documents end up getting posted publicly. After that, he might start tossing out jurisdiction challenges or keep trying to stall things with endless mediation.


    It’s all just for show–none of those tricks actually get him anywhere, he’s just dragging it out for as long as possible.


    With all these little dys piled up, just getting to trial might take a whole year.


    “Alright,” Ms. White, Attorney said, handing Reba all the paperwork she’d prepared. “Take a look. If it all looks good, I’ll start the process tomorrow.”


    Reba looked them over. “No problem.”


    “Alright,” Ms. White, Attorney replied.


    They went over a few more details, and by the time they wrapped up, it was already past eleven.


    36 youchere


    Reba wanted to grab lunch with Ms. White, Attorney, but she had another lunch lined up, so she had to turn Reba down. Still, she made sure to remind Reba to take care on her way home, and to text her once she got there so she’d know she was safe.


    Reba promised she would.


    After watching Ms. White, Attorney leave, Reba unlocked her new car and climbed inside.


    She had just gotten into the driver’s seat when the passenger door flew open–Andrea hopped in and snapped on her seatbelt in a sh.


    Reba jumped in surprise.


    “I need to talk to you about something,” Andrea said before Reba could even get a word out. “I’ll be quick. I won’t take up much of your time.”


    “Get out,” Reba said, still shaken.


    She couldn’t even imagine what she’d do if it had been some psycho killer who just hopped in.


    She’d checked both sides of the car before getting in–there was no one around.


    Andrea shot her a look, clearly fed up. “Do you always have to act like you’re above it all, looking down on everyone? I’m here for something serious.”


    Reba checked her watch and kept quiet.


    This ce was pretty far from the police station–getting the cops involved over something like this just seemed pointless. ‘Next time, I’m definitely dragging Mark with me, Reba thought.


    “So, have you given any thought to what we talked aboutst time?” Andrea pressed again. “If 15 million is too much, I can just forget about the money–as long as you make sure Jeffrey stays out of my life for good.”


    Jeffrey had already agreed to pay up anyway.


    Andrea was just here to cover her bases.


    If Jeffrey found out the truth and tried to go back on his word, at least Reba would be there to stop him.


    “So you’re really that terrified Jeffrey will find out you’ve been faking being his benefactor?” Reba blurted out without even thinking.


    Andrea stared in shock, eyes wide,pletely floored.


    She stared at Reba in utter disbelief, heart hammering in her chest. “When–when did you find out?”


    Reba was momentarily stunned.


    As the words sank in, she hesitated, realizing what she’d just blurted out.


    <b>33 </b>


    35 vouchers


    Jessica had been tossing out all those crazy theories and suspicionstely–so Reba had just said whatever without thinking, mostly to brush Andrea off.


    ‘Wait a sec… did I just hit the nail on the head by ident?‘ Reba thought, dumbfounded at her own random guess.