Rebecca glanced up, and her eyes collided with his.
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She knew nothing was going on between her and Stephen, yet for some reason, with Jeffrey staring at her like that, it felt like pins and needles on her skin.
Jeffrey set his helmet down on the car, then strode over with confident, powerful steps.
Even in the darkness, his deep eyes were so intense that Rebecca instinctively wanted to back away, but he just stared her down from afar.
She didn’t flinch or turn away.
“You’re here,” Stephen greeted him like it was just another night.
Jeffrey took one look at how close Stephen and Rebecca were standing.
Rebecca instinctively stepped aside, putting some space between them. Then she realized what she’d done, and a hint of embarrassment flashed across her face.
‘Seriously, what am I freaking out for? I didn’t do anything wrong,‘ she scolded herself.
“Where’s Stanley?” Jeffrey asked Stephen in a cold, distant tone, without glancing at Rebecca. “What did you do to him?”
“So you’re here for him?” Stephen teased, a playful smirk on his lips.
Jeffrey just ignored the question. “None of your business.”
“He’s upstairs with my secretary, probably just finishing up,” Stephen said as he casually adjusted his glasses, looking every bit the easygoing gentleman. “Want to come up with me?”
Jeffrey glanced at Rebecca. “We’re not close enough yet to walk up together. So, I’ll pass.”
“Then I’ll go up first,” Stephen replied gently, not bothering with any drama. “Take your time and chat with Rebecca.”
“Talking with her so sweetly? Aren’t you afraid your girlfriend will get jealous?” Jeffrey said flatly, knowing full well he was poking at Stephen on purpose. “Heard you two were bickering the other day.”
“Just a little spat. Haven’t you and Rebecca ever had one?” Stephen replied, unfazed.
Jeffrey lifted his gaze at him. “So, you admit it?”
Stephen hesitated for a moment.
‘Damn, walked right into his trap,’ Stephen thought, his eyes darkening.
“It’s not a big deal, but it’s not exactly nothing, either,” Jeffrey said coolly. “If someone wanted to stir the pot,
Chapter 102
do you think Rebecca wouldn’t assume you showed up just for her?”
“I really did come here for her,” Stephen shot back, locking eyes with him.
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“Keep that line for when you’re alone with her,” Jeffrey replied, his gaze icy and unblinking. “See if she still wants anything to do with you after she finds out, even with how sketchy your relationship already is.”
Stephen’s gentle gaze suddenly sharpened, a subtle edge creeping into his voice. “What exactly do you know?”
But Jeffrey didn’t bother to answer; he just grabbed Rebecca and strode off.
This time, Rebecca didn’t struggle at all. She let him pull her over to the far side of the garden.
He kept going for a minute or two before finally stopping. His deep eyes locked on her, and he almost said something, but in the end, the words just stuck in his throat.
He knew Rebecca would never try to get close to Stephen on her own.
He knew Stephen treated her so sweetly and stood so close to her, all just to get a rise out of him. It was all on purpose.
He also knew she would never trust Stephen.
But even so, the moment he realized Stephen really showed up for her, a tiny flicker of fear still crept in.
They stood there like two statues, neither making a move. Rebecca wanted to say something several times, but the words got stuck in her throat each time.
‘What’s the point? We’re basically about to sign the divorce papers,‘ she reminded herself, suddenly feeling the distance between them.
“So, what did Stephen say to you?” Jeffrey broke the silence, his voice steady and almost intimidating.
“Not much,” Rebecca answered, instinctively pulling back a little. “He just asked me to have dinner in a private room, and then, right in front of everyone, he announced he’d be on my side.”
Jeffrey’s brow furrowed a little. ‘What’s Stephen trying to pull now?‘ he thought.
“I know he’s got his own motives. I didn’t take it to heart,” Rebecca added quickly, hoping to keep things calm between them.
As for those photos Stephen showed her and the stuff he told her, Rebecca kept it all under wraps.
It was not just because she didn’t want drama, but because she knew how much Jeffrey hated anyone glimpsing his softer side. She didn’t plan on saying a word about it, ever.
Stephen clearly had his agenda, trying to use her as a weapon to get under Jeffrey’s skin–hurting him a second time, right where it hurt most.
Jeffrey was always so guarded, putting up walls and never letting anyone see what he was really feeling–and Rebecca knew she’d never be the one to rip those old wounds open.
Chapter 102
He had been good to her.
She wanted to protect his past, too. That was the least she could do for him.
He didn’t want anybody’s sympathy or their pity.
Jeffrey caught the look on Rebecca’s face and, seeing she was upset, asked, “That’s all?”
“That’s all,” Rebecca said, meeting his eyes without hesitation.
Seeing that Rebecca didn’t want to say any more, Jeffrey didn’t press her.
He just warned her, “Stephen can’t be trusted. Whatever he tells you, whatever he does for you–it’s all just to serve his own agenda.”
Rebecca stayed quiet. She knew it.
They fell into silence again.
Rebecca almost opened her mouth to ask if Jeffrey was the one who brought Yannie and the others here, but stopped herself.
With everything going the way it was, the answer didn’t matter anymore.
Either way, their relationship was basically over.
“Mr. Jeffrey Hanson,” Stephen’s secretary walked over with a polite nod. “Mr. Stephen Hanson wants you upstairs. He’s got something to talk to you about.”
Jeffrey’s gaze darkened as he gave Rebecca one last look, then strode off without another word.
Good thing–he had business to settle with Stephen anyway.
Once they were gone, Rebecca finally let out a breath she didn’t even realize she’d been holding.
Rebecca didn’t head back inside right away. Too much had happened tonight, and she needed a minute to process it all.
Plus, she had to come up with some excuse to explain everything to the office; if she didn’t, all her hard work would be drowned out by gossip.
*****
Ten minutes later, Rebecca finally got her act together and headed inside. She’d barely taken a seat when her coworkers flocked around, ready to spill the tea.
“Rebecca, who would’ve guessed you were hiding so much from us?”
“Heiress undercover as an office worker? This is wild.”
“So, what did the big boss Stephen want with you just now?”
12:57 Wed, Sep 24
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