TimeNovelStanley said, “I didn’t know it was her number.”
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By now Stanley saw the picture: Jeffrey’s unruffled silence when he’d posed that question had cfrom having
the phone already off-or parked in airplane mode. What nobody banked on was Andrea ringing Stanley instead.
He thought, ‘Now everything is screwed.’
Jeffrey said, “I have to go to the hospital.” He shot a glance at Rebecca on stage and added, “Keep an eye on her
while I'm gone.
“They can hassle her all they want, but don’t let her apologize, give in, or let anyone lay a finger on her.”
Stanley was speechless. He grumbled inwardly, ‘Isn’t that basically just saying don’t let her get bullied? If it’s just
trash talk, and she’s tough enough, she'll barely feel a thing!
Still, no matter how much he grumbled in his head, Stanley would never let his buddy down. He replied,
“Alright.”
Jeffrey said, “Don’t let her see you. | don’t want her thinking I'm still in her corner.”
“Understood,” Stanley agreed without hesitation.
Jeffrey hummed in acknowledgment. He pulled out his phone, switched it on, and strode away.
“Wait a sec,” Stanley called out.
Jeffrey turned to look at him, confused.
Stanley said, “Doesn't this whole thing seem a little off? How did Andrea get my number, and how did she
manage to callat such a coincidental moment?”
“Someone gave it to her,” Jeffrey replied, completely emotionless.
Stanley asked, “You know who?”
Jeffrey said, “Not sure yet.” He'd sensed something fishy as soon as Stanley handed him the phone. He said,
Just keep an eye on Rebecca and make sure nothing big happens.”
After saying that, he didn’t hang around-he walked out, steady and composed.
An hour later, Jeffrey made it to the hospital.
Andrea had just finished her last IV drip for the day. She'd dropped all pretenses since last time-didn’t care to
hide who she was anymore, She said, “Jeffrey, you are here.”
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
“Yeah,” Jeffrey answered, taking a seat next to her bed.
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Andrea said. “I know it’s probably not the best tto call you here. But honestly, when I'm stuck in a hospital
feeling miserable, | really can’t let you go off keeping Rebecca company.”
Jeffrey just stared at her, his eyes as dark as ink.
Andrea met his gaze, totally unbothered. She said, “It's not about being jealous. I just flat out don’t want that.”
“How's your wound doing?” Jeffrey asked, not even slightly phased by her complaints. He sounded like he was
just ticking off a checklist.
Andrea replied, “It’s only just started to heal over.” She reached out, wanting to hold his hand.
She asked, “These past two days, | didn’t call you, and you really never cto see me. Do you even care about
“Wasn't it you who toldto keep busy and only swing by when | had sspare time?” Jeffrey retorted.
Andrea’s other hand, tucked under the blanket, unconsciously clenched tighter as her chest tightened a little.
She thought, ‘He's ruthless. He really doesn’t give a damn about me!”
Her thoughts drifted back to something someone once told her.
That person said, “Jeffrey only ever understands when Rebecca is saying one thing but meaning another. If
you're indirect or try to hint at what you want, he'll just take your words at face value and do exactly that.
“If you want something, just say it straight out. Don’t bother with roundabout talk.”
Andrea pushed down her feelings and said, “I was just saying sstuff out of frustration. Honestly, has there
ever been a patient who didn’t want the person they care about to visit and look after them?”
Jeffrey frowned.
Before Jeffrey could get a word in, Andrea continued, “I know exactly what you're about to say. I'm just asking for
something normal here-it’s not about feelings, | promise.”
Jeffrey replied, “I've been swamped lately. If you want something, just tellstraight, like you used to. And if |
miss anything, just nudge me.”
Andrea gave a little laugh and said, “Okay,”
They chatted for a while longer, then Jeffrey's phone buzzed with a message from Stanley: [Trouble just showed
up. Gotta deal with it. If anything comes up, call me.]
Jeffrey replied: [Yeah.]
After reading the message, Stanley slipped his phone into his pocket and zeroed in on Rebecca down in the
hall.
By this point, the performances had ended, and the host was announcing the “Top Ten Leaders” awards.
Someone from every department went up to receive theirs, and for Rebecca's department, the winner was Jane.
Next up was the “Top Ten Employees” award.
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When all the awards were done, the host went off about how the company and its people made each other
successful-typical official speak. Then he turned and introduced, “Now, let's give a big hand for Mr. Smith and his
friends.”
Everyone clapped.
Then, Alexander, Yannie, Sterling, Barclay, and a bunch of other rich heirs headed up on stage with Jason.
Rebecca's lips twitched. She hadn't expected them to show up like this. She thought they were absolutely
fucking idiots.
Alexander aside, the other three families all had their own gcompanies.
Sure, games weren't their main business, and none of them could compete with a dedicated gaming company
like PrimePlay Technologies, but by showing up here, they were basically handing PrimePlay Technologies some
free promo.
Rebecca thought, ‘If any of them make it hwithout getting chewed out, I'll give them a standing ovation.”
Just then, Yannie asked, “Mr. Smith, would you mind if | use the mic for a moment?”
Jason handed it over.
Yannie began with the usual pleasantries, wishing PrimePlay Technologies continued success and growth. Once
she'd got that out of the way, she shifted gears, her gaze sweeping toward Rebecca.
She said, “And in addition to all that, I'd like to invite a friend up here.”
Rebecca quickly ducked down and slipped away through the crowd. No way she was letting herself bectheir
circus act.
She thought, ‘If management casking later, I'd just claim food poisoning or something-missed the whole
thing. Good thing I've already cleared it with Jane and Ella.’
‘Rebecca?” Yannie called out, scanning the place where Rebecca had just been-only to see the seat empty.
Everyone from Rebecca's department started looking around. When no one spotted her, people began
murmuring all at once.
“Wait, where did she go? Wasn't she just sitting here a moment ago?” someone blurted out.
Another asked, “Jane, did you catch where Rebecca went?”
Jane replied, “She's not feeling well. Went to the restroom.”
Derek said, “Why does she always bail when it matters most? First, she goes head-to-head with Mr. Kendall this
afternoon, and now she doesn’t even bother playing along for Ms. Barton. Seriously, this girl's got a mind
of her own.”
Rebecca couldn't care less about the chatter. Just to be safe, she really did slip into the restroom-for real, no
bluffing. She wasn’t about to risk getting exposed.
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Alexander was one thing-Rebecca could use their past to keep him in check. But Yannie and her crew were a
different story. None of them would be easy to handle.
After about half an hour, Rebecca finally cout of the restroom, taking her ton purpose. Based on how
little patience those folks had, she figured they must have left by now.
She pulled out her phone and sent Jane a quick message: [Jane, are they still around?]
Jane texted back right away: [They left ten minutes ago.]
Rebecca finally relaxed and let out a big sigh of relief. She bent over to wash her hands, and just as she glanced
up at the mirror, planning to head out, she nearly jumped.
Staring at her in the reflection was Yannie-who was supposed to be long gone-locking eyes with her out of
nowhere.
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