After the divorce, he begged

Riley lounged on the sofa. “I know you don’t listen, so | won't bother persuading you. But think about it. If

Rebecca 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 glass 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 glances, trying to get her to stay, but Riley didn’t even give him a look as she strode

out, totally unfazed and cool as ever.

“Riley makes sense. Stanley ventured, his voice 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 black and lifeless. “Try calling her again. Tell her I've blacked out.”

Stanley clicked right away. “Got it.”

Jeffrey added. “Get Barry to back you up and play along.”

Stanley nodded. “No problem.”

Just to be sure, Jeffrey pulled out his phone and sent a quick message to the driver who'd been escorting

Rebecca

Rebecca had just arrived at Rebecca’s Manor and was still in the car when her phone rang.

“Would you mind coming 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. Please come

with me.”

Stanley hesitated, “Do you think you could cover for a bit?”

Once Rebecca made up her mind, there was no changing it. She refused directly. “No.”

“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.”

Rebecca 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 the wants to drink, |

swear I'll stop him.”

10:33 Mon, Sep 29”

Chapter 171

“Mr. Garcia, what if Mr. Hanson refuses to cwith me? Barry chined in, playing 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

Rebecca 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 Rebecca was most

likely telling the truth.

“If he’s that drunk, just leave him there, Rebecca snapped, still pissed, “He'll cback once he sobers up. You

don’t need to do a thing?

Stanley and Barry glanced at each other, knowing that Rebecca really didn’t mess around.

Rebecca 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, kept completely silent, terrified that even a single stray word would

set off Rebecca's suspicion,

As Rebecca entered, Victor said, “Ms. Jensen, these are your belongings from Maple Garden. Mr. Hanson had us

sort and bring everything. Please check if anything’s missing

Rebecca shot the luggage a quick look and couldn’t help thinking. “Talk about impatient. They'd planned to

handle this together, but Jeffrey had already rushed ahead and had it all sent over before she could blink

“No,” Rebecca 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 that brake failure, Rebecca had stayed over at Rebecca’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.

Rebecca rushed toward the master bedroom, her heart racing. The maid, Mary Shaw, had changed those sheets

several times already. Rebecca 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 Rebecca, she handed her a bundle of papers. “Ms.

Jensen, | found these under the pillow while cleaning. Mr. Hanson left them there for days. | wasn’t sure if he

forgot.

Rebecca took the papers, recognizing at once that it was her property transfer. “I left it here before,” she said,

honest and upfront.

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.

Rebecca tucked the paperwork away. “Thanks.”

10:33 Mon, Sep 29

Chapter 171

“Mrs Mc Jensen, Mary started almost calling Rebecca Mrs fan not of at litore quickly

Himon*

herself

Rebecca 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”

Rebecca just nodded. | know.

Mary opened her mouth, 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

Rebecca 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.

She used to love setting out fresh flowers and rearranging the place just to keep the house feeling new, now, she

couldn't care less.

Thinking about all that, 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 her computer and hadn't even opened a new file when Victor cin. Victor reported. “Ms.

Jensen, there's someone at the door. Would you liketo let them in?”

Rebecca was confused.

Victor quickly added, “It's Andrea.”

Rebecca shifted her focus to her computer. “Doesn’t concern me. Go ask Jeffrey.”

“Mr. Hanson said you're the one calling the shots at Rebecca’s Manor, Victor replied, his tone unfailin respectful,

with a trace of suggestion. “His opinion comes second to yours.”

Rebecca scoffed inwardly. Her words stayed icy. “Then tell her to leave.”

Victor nodded. “Got it.”

Rebecca raised an eyebrow, thinking. ‘Did Victor just wait forto say that?

It wasn’t long before Andrea’s voice cut sharply through the air outside, snapping at the staff. “What right do you

have to keepout? Jeffrey told| could cand go whenever | wanted. You can’t stop me!”

“That was then. Things have changed, Victor replied, polite but detached.

“Then get him out of here! | want a face-to-face with him,” Andrea huffed, clearly fuming.

“Mr. Hanson isn’t home,” Victor answered calmly. “But if you'd like to meet the lady of the manor, | can check if

she’s interested in seeing you.”

10:33 Mon, Sep 29

Chapter 171

“Rebecca, you mean? Andrea snapped without missing a beat.

“Yes, Victor replied.

Upstairs, Rebecca caught every word loud and clear. No way she could get any peace with Andrea making a

scene. So when Victor cup for her again, she followed him downstairs.

When they cface to face, Andrea's eyes were full of unwilling resentment, while Rebecca remained calm and

indifferent.

Victor handed Rebecca 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.”

[S]

word

word

mmMwWLIII0fiflo&1

mmMwWLIII0fiflo&1

mmMwWLIII0fiflo&1

mmMwWLIII0fiflo&1

mmMwWL1i10f1ifl0&1

mmMwWLIiI0fiflO&1