After the divorce he begged novel Chapter 106

Chapter 106

“It’s getting late. You should head home and get some rest,” Stephen said gently to Rebecca, his back to the door, not realizing Jeffrey had come in. “I’ll ask Bernard to drive you home.”

“That’s alright, I’ll just grab a cab,” Rebecca replied, turning down his offer.

Stephen gave a weak smile. “Cabs aren’t safe this late. I’d feel better if Bernard took you.”

Rebecca was just about to decline again when she noticed Jeffrey’s eyes locked onto her. She braced herself and said, “Alright. Sorry for the trouble, Stephen.”

“We’re family, right?” Stephen said with a soft chuckle.

After saying she’d come by tomorrow, Rebecca grabbed her bag and left, brushing past Jeffrey without even glancing at him. She walked straight out of the room with Bernard.

Jeffrey shot her a brief sideways glance. Stanley leaned in and whispered. “Want me to stop her?”

Jeffrey’s response was cool and brief. “No need.”

“Jeffrey, you’re here.” Stephen greeted Jeffrey from his hospital bed, his face pale but his eyes warm. “It’s been over ten years since you last visited me in the hospital.”

Jeffrey walked over to the bed, his gaze cool. “She’s gone. You don’t have to keep pretending now.”

Stephen looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”

“Do you know why I’m the one running the Hanson Group instead of you?” Jeffrey said coolly, not the least bit. rattled. “Because rats from the gutter never make it to the big leagues. They can’t stand the light.”

“Look at you, the mighty boss.” Stephen teased. “You sure have gotten good at laying it on thick.”

“I know you planned everything tonight,” Jeffrey said, not bothering to hide it. “And I get that you’re trying to get between me and Rebecca. But just remember, when you try to take me down, you’re gonna pay a price yourself.”

“You think I was behind the chandelier incident?” Stephen looked genuinely puzzled.

Jeffrey just shot back, “Wasn’t it?”

Stephen frowned, “And what exactly do I get out of doing that?”

There were plenty of perks. Jeffrey didn’t say a word because talking to him about this was pointless.

“I know you’ve had issues with me because of all the drama at the Hanson Group,” Stephen said, trying to be rational. “But just like you, I’d never drag innocent people into our mess.”

“Would you swear on the safety of that woman you’re keeping at home?” Jeffrey challenged.

12:58 Wed, Sep 2

Chapter 106

Stephen fixed his gaze on him, a hint of confusion in his eyes. ‘Why was Jeffrey suddenly bringing this up so often, when he’d never mentioned it before?‘ Stephen couldn’t help wondering.

“There’s something you probably haven’t heard yet,” Jeffrey said, his voice cool. “After all, your trusted cronies were all here tonight, helping you run this act.”

Normally, Jeffrey wouldn’t pull innocent bystanders into the mess, but he wasn’t above using outsiders when push came to shove.

Stephen kept a straight face. “What’s that?”

“While you were off playing hero for your own interests, Karen ended up getting cornered by her deadbeat, gambling father,” Jeffrey commented blandly, as if it barely mattered. “Heard she went home covered in bruises.”

A flicker passed through Stephen’s eyes, gone as soon as it appeared.

Jeffrey caught every bit of it. “Bet you’re thinking, you sent bodyguards to keep an eye on her, so nothing could happen to her, right?”

Stephen lifted his gaze. This time, he was really scrutinizing his brother. He’d kept everything so deeply hidden, not even Lucas had a clue. ‘How did Jeffrey figure it out?‘ he wondered.

“Just because you’re working overtime to protect her doesn’t mean someone else isn’t trying to hurt her,” Jeffrey said, his tone unhurried. “If my timing’s right, she’s most likely facing the second wave of trouble now.”

Stephen instinctively reached for his phone. Jeffrey’s sharp gaze didn’t miss a thing. “Worried?” he asked.

Stephen paused. He knew that Jeffrey was deeply calculating and ruthless in his methods, but he hadn’t expected him to maintain such sharp insight even after something like this had happened.

“A person who doesn’t matter, why should I worry?” Stephen casually picked up his phone, turned on the screen, and glanced at it. “I just felt a bit sleepy and wanted to check the time.”

Deep down, a hint of mockery flickered in Jeffrey’s eyes. ‘Seriously, can’t even face your own feelings? How pathetic,‘ Jeffrey scoffed inwardly.

“Don’t use Rebecca again.” Jeffrey cut him off, his cold eyes as unfathomable as midnight. “Or I won’t hesitate to drag other people into this mess.”

With those words, he strode out, his back straight and indifferent as ever. Only after Jeffrey and Stanley vanished from view did Stephen finally pick up his phone and make a call.

In the parking lot, Stanley sat in the driver’s seat. Looking at the silent Jeffrey, he tried to break the tension by speaking up. “You just mentioned that Stephen has someone? Karen?”

Jeffrey, remembering some info he’d picked up by accident, shrugged. “Not exactly.”

Stanley blinked in confusion. “Huh? Not exactly?”

Jeffrey replied flatly, “He’s never owned up to it.”

12:58 Wed, Sep 24

Chapter 106

20 vouchers,

“Damn, the Hanson family really is full of heartbreakers.” Stanley blurted out. “One drops his wife for another woman, the other just strings her along, never making it official.”

Before Stanley could finish, the air inside the car felt suddenly tense. He caught a glimpse of Jeffrey’s face out of the corner of his eye.

“I never brought up divorce,” Jeffrey said, voice cold and steady. From start to finish, it had always been Rebecca bringing it up, not him.

“I misspoke. I’ll slap myself as punishment, I swear.” Stanley stammered out, desperate not to tick him off any further.

Suddenly, Stanley got why all those reality show judges only ever say nice things and never mention anyone’s flaws. With a mood like Jeffrey’s, he realized he’d be way too intimidated to speak his mind, too.

The car rolled on in silence. As they neared an intersection, Jeffrey told him ahead of time, “Take a left at the next light.”

“Why take a left?” Stanley asked, but he still switched lanes without hesitation. “That’s not the way back to Rebecca’s Manor.” Jeffrey didn’t bother explaining.

Meanwhile, Rebecca got home and started replying to her messages one at a time. For the board members, she sent updates about Stephen’s injuries using the company app, then switched over to her socials to handle everyone else who’d messaged her.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify