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Gregory and Barry couldn’t help but think at the same time, ‘Where did Ms. Jensen find this bodyguard with such a smart mouth?
Mark caught their expressions and bluntly asked, “Judging by your faces, you two aren’t happy with what I said, huh?”
Obviously! Barry grumbled inwardly.
But since they barely knew Mark, Barry kept his tone polite. “Of course not. We respect everyone’s opinion.”
“Even if you do have an opinion, it doesn’t matter,” Mark said, clearly indifferent. The only people he answered to were Madam Jensen and Ms. Jensen, the ones who signed his paycheck. “They’re divorced now, so you’ll just have to swallow whateverints you have.”
Barry gave Gregory a silent look that said, ‘Man, why is this guy so obnoxious?‘
Gregory’s expression said, ‘Seriously!
Barry cracked his knuckles and muttered under his breath, “Can I punch him?”
Gregory hadn’t even opened his mouth when Mark overheard and shot back, “Go ahead.”
Barry stared at him, baffled.
Gregory was just as baffled.
“But you’d never beat me,” Mark said, giving Barry a quick once–over. It wasn’t about hurting him–it was pure disrespect. “Three moves, and you’d be t on your back.”
“Oh, please. I don’t believe that for a second,” Barry shot back, rolling up his sleeves. His pride wouldn’t let him take that lying down. “Go on, I’ll let you have the first three moves…”
“Knock it off. Mr. Hanson and Ms. Jensen are about toe out,” Gregory said, stepping in to stop him.
Barry’s bravado fizzled instantly.
If Mr. Hanson saw him getting into it with Ms. Jensen’s bodyguard, Barry knew he’d be the one catching hell.
While they were all talking, Reba and Jeffrey stepped outside after finishing the paperwork, each holding a little red divorce certificate.
“You can go ahead and reset the security system and change the ess codes at Reba’s Manor,” Jeffrey said, pausing to make sure she heard him clearly. “I’ve already spoken to Victor–it’s all yours now. From today on, you’re the sole owner.”
Reba replied tly, “Mm.”
Jeffrey hesitated, the words catching in his throat.
His grip on the divorce certificate slowly tightened.
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“I trust you’ll stick to what you promised,” Reba said, not letting it go. “If we’re ending things, let’s do it cleanly.”
If he kept ying secret guardian, always jumping in to fix her troubles for her, no matter how long it went on, he’d never really move on, and Reba would never get to stand on her own two feet.
It was better to just make a clean break.
Better to rip off the bandaid and get it over with than drag things out forever.
“What about Samuel?” Jeffrey asked, his expression calm.
“Whenever you want to see him, I can drop him off, or you cane by to get him,” Reba said,ying it out inly. “Other than that, let’s keep our contact to the bare minimum–just about Samuel.” <fn6c17> Th?s chapter is updated by f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?</fn6c17>
Jeffrey’s lips parted as if to say more, but he just replied, “Alright.”
Reba replied with a soft “Mm,” sinking into a brief silence.
Jeffrey could sense she had something else on her mind. “If there’s anything else, just say it.”
“You should see a therapist sometime. You’re obsessed with keeping promises–it’s like you’re stuck on it, seriously,” Reba finally blurted out after some thought.
Jeffrey fixed his gaze on her. “Why didn’t you ever mention it before?”
Reba didn’t bother hiding anything. “Honestly? I was afraid if you did, you wouldn’t want the divorce
anymore.”
Jeffrey let out a quiet chuckle, his tone calm but his eyes darker than ever. “Never one to mince words, are you?”
Reba just replied, “Mm.”
With that, she turned and walked away, getting into the car with Mark without looking back.
Barry and Gregory exchanged a look, both realizing Mr. Hanson was really all alone now–a total bachelor with no one left at his side.
They hurried over, eager to show they still had his back. “Mr. Hanson.”
Jeffrey said, “Let’s head to the office.”
Gregory replied, “Yes, sir.”
Barry quickly opened the car door, his handing up to the door frame to make sure Mr. Hanson didn’t bump his head as he got in.
As the car pulled away, Stanley, sitting in the inconspicuous ck sedan parked off to the side, quietly told his
14:16 Wed, Oct 8 $4
driver. “Let’s go
Soon after.
Stanley couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
He pulled out his phone and shot Gregory a quick message: [llow’s Mr. Hanson holding up?]
[Everything’s fine.] Gregory replied, keeping it short and sweet.
[Is he really okay, or just putting on a front?] Stanley pressed, still not convinced.
Gregory pressed his lips together, then, after some thought, let Stanley save face: [He’s just pretending to be okay.]
Those two words set off a flood of messages from Stanley.
Gregory thought it over and decided not to reply.
Stanley stared at his phone, confused. [What the hell?]
‘Whatever, if Jeffrey wants to act cold like that, fine, Stanley muttered.
‘But why is Gregory ghosting me too?‘ Stanley wondered.
When Reba arrived in Honn, it was already past six. Once she got home, she immediately dropped the news of her divorce in their three–person group chat, tossing in a photo of the certificate as proof.
Soon after,
The group chat was flooded with celebration and congrattions stickers from Jessica and Ian.
“You seriously don’t know what I’ve been through this month,” Jessica said in a voice note once she’d finished celebrating. “I was so freaking worried you’d pull something unexpected again during the cooling–off period!”
Ian: [Same!]
Jessica: “Good thing everything went off without a hitch.”
Jessica: “I’m free now! Want to hang out and celebrate?”
Reba: “Sure.”
After putting the divorce certificate away, Reba headed out.
The three of them met up at a restaurant. Before the food arrived, Jessica and Ian kept the conversation light, chatting about everyday stuff. Once the dishes starteding out, Jessica finally asked, “So, Jeffrey’s really not going toe looking for you anymore?”
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“Nope, not unless it’s about Samuel Rebrces repliest.
“So, what’s next for you?” Jessica asked, though she couldn’t help but feel a bit weavy.
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She just couldn’t shake the feeling that Jeffrey wasn’t the type to just let it all go. After everything bed pulled to keep Reba around, it was seriously strange for <b>him </b>to back off now–just became of one promise.
Reba was clear about her goals. “First, I need to get through the Quinn family’s challenge and get <b>my </b>
mom’s shares”
“Totally–just focus on your career, get things rolling Jessica said, unwavering in her support. <b>“</b><b>If </b>you ever need us, just hit us up–we’ll always have your back”
Jan jumped in, “Absolutely!”
Reba smiled. “Alright.”
By the time they got back, it was already past eight.
After dropping Reba off, Jessica turned ton in the passenger seat and said, “Don’t say I didn’t warn you- if you want a shot at Reba, you’d better jump at it in the next few months. When Jeffrey finally wakes up, your shot’s gone.”
Ian blinked, totally confused.
“Didn’t he promise Becky he wouldn’t bother her unless it’s about Samuel?” Ian asked, still not getting it.
“You seriously believe what guys say?” Jessica scoffed, clearly doubtful. “Right now, he’s just trapped in that promise cage. But once it hits him that losing Becky is too much to handle, you really think he’ll just sit there and stick to his promise like that?”
Ian’s gut reaction was instant: ‘Not a chance, he thought.
He didn’t even have to think–he just knew.
Jessica gave him a sideways nce. “Dude, if Jeffrey sets his sights on Becky again, you’re out of the picture.”
Ian could only gape at her,pletely at a loss for words.
He remembered when he’d gotten swamped with work and stopped reaching out for a bit–next thing he knew, Becky was already dating Jeffrey.
It hit him like a thunderp–he never saw iting.
“If I tell Becky how I really feel, do you think she’ll stop being my friendpletely?” Ian muttered, sounding unsure. He’d kept it all to himself for ages, especially after watching so many people try with Reba, only to get rejected.
One minute they’re friends, next thing you know, they’re total strangers.
Becky didn’t mess around either–after someone confessed, she’d just start keeping her distance, sometimes
not even texting them back ever again.
Jessica gave him a look. “Seriously? You’re worried about losing a friend?”
Jessica was speechless.
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Jessica thought, ‘Actually, that’s true. Besides me and Becky, all his other friends are just fairweather party buddies–none of them would ever be there for him when it counts.
After some thought, she reassured him, “Don’t worry. Even if Becky says no, she won’t cut you out of her life. At worst, she’ll just gently try to help you get over her.”
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