After the divorce, he begged

Chapter 216

Jeffrey tossed out. “Why don’t you try having a talk with Lucas first?”

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“What does that have to do with me?” Stanley immediately distanced himself, then switched topics. “But what's

Jack up to with all this?”

“No idea,” Jeffrey said, glancing at the now-empty doorway. “Maybe he wantsto help him get more of the

Quinn family’s assets, or maybe he wants to team up withon something.

“Who in their right mind tries to team up with someone by hurting their own son?” Stanley couldn't wrap his

head around it.

Jeffrey didn’t bother explaining.

Jack didn’t have much pull in the Quinn family, and with his brother constantly putting the screws to him, it was

nearly impossible for him to make any progress.

The whole thing with Samuel was probably Jack making a last-ditch move, going all-in because he figured he

had nothing left to lose.

“Gregory, Jeffrey called out.

“Yes, boss,” Gregory said, always ready for his orders.

“Call Stephen,” Jeffrey said, his eyes dark and unreadable. “Tell him I'm taking over the Honnala branch for now,

and he’s in charge of Jelasburg.”

“Got it,” Gregory replied.

Since Rebecca decided to settle down here, Jeffrey stuck around with her for a while. He'd only head back

whenever she felt like going.

If she never wanted to leave this place,

then he’d have no choice but to make her move once Samuel started elementary school.

Stanley reminded him, “Now that you're sticking around here, what are you planning to do if Andrea comes

knocking? You know she’s not the type to let things slide.”

Jeffrey replied, his gaze deepening, “I'll deal with it when she shows up.”

At that very moment,

Andrea had already reached out, but it was Rebecca she contacted-not Jeffrey.

Rebecca hadn't even made it hbefore she got a call from an unfamiliar number. Before she could say

anything, Andrea cut in, “I need to talk to you. Don’t hang up.”

Rebecca didn’t hesitate-she hung up right away.

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Chapter 216

Andrea called again.

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Rebecca hung up again.

Just as she was about to block Andrea, a text cthrough: [It's about Samuel. Don’t you even want to hear it?]

While Rebecca hesitated, Andrea called again. After what happened last time, Rebecca was especially concerned

about anything involving Samuel.

“What is it?” Rebecca asked, getting straight to the point.

“Before | tell you, there's something | need to talk to you about,” Andrea said, her tone serious.

Rebecca didn’t waste any words. “Say it.”

Andrea blurted out, “Get Jeffrey to wire15 million and I'll disappear from Jelasburg for good—never coming

back, never using the whole favor thing to get him to do anything. Deal?”

“That's got nothing to do with me,” Rebecca replied flatly.

“Don’t you even care about having a peaceful life with him?” Andrea's voice was practically shaking.

Rebecca hung up.

At that moment, Rebecca realized Andrea was just using Samuel as an excuse to get her to listen to her

outrageous ultimatum, pressuring her to say yes.

Andrea, fuming, spammed Rebecca's phone with messages: [Don’t you want to know what's up with Samuel?]

Andrea: [If you don’t agree, I'm not telling you anything about Samuel.]

Andrea: [Seriously, 15 million’s like pocket change to Jeffrey. Why won't you just agree?!]

Her messages disappeared into the void-Rebecca didn’t even give them a glance.

Normally, Andrea would be milking Jeffrey for support as long as she could. Now, out of the blue, she’s asking for

cash up front-that was seriously suspicious. Maybe lan Yeats found out about what Jessica Scott said back at the

hospital.

Rebecca wondered, ‘Was there something off about Andrea going to the hospital?’

With that in mind,

Rebecca sent Jessica a voice message: “Did lan find out something?”

“Wait, how did you know?!” Jessica was right there with lan. “He didn’t tell you, did he?”

Rebecca: “Andrea reached out to me. It was just a hunch.”

As soon as lan heard that, he dialed Rebecca right away. The second she picked up, he jumped in, “So, what did

she want?”

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Chapter 216

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“She wantsto get Jeffrey to give her 15 million, and says if | do, she’ll never set foot in Jelasburg again,”

Rebecca told lan, repeating Andrea’s words. “Honestly, that just isn’t her style.”

“I followed the clues and tracked down the plastic surgeon Andrea went to-the one who specializes in scar

removal,” lan said. “The doctor said he barely remembers Andrea’s case and needs stto think about it.”

Rebecca listened, her mind racing.

lan continued, “And sure enough, just a couple days later, something blew up.”

Rebecca frowned, “Something happened?”

“He took a nasty fall while hiking, and now he’s stuck in the ICU,” lan said, sounding even more suspicious of

Andrea.

“We had our doubts about Andrea before, but after hearing what you said, she looks a lot more suspicious,”

Jessica said, her tone tense. “Seriously, what kind of scar or secret would make someone go to such lengths to

hurt others?”

Rebecca thought about it for a second, but cup empty. “No clue.”

Honestly, this whole thing didn’t really add up.

Scars or plastic surgery-none of that would matter to Jeffrey. He treats Andrea well because she saved his life,

end of story. It’s not like the real lifesaver wouldn't have a scar in that spot, and Andrea just randomly does.

Or maybe there was something else she wanted to tweak about herself?

“Maybe you should try asking Jeffrey?” Jessica offered. “If you figure out what's going on, maybe Andrea will

finally quit causing .”

“I'll think about it,” Rebecca replied, not committing right away.

Rebecca couldn't care less whether Andrea’s story was legit or just another trick. ‘Honestly, whatever games

she’s playing don’t botherin the slightest,’ she thought.

The truth was, the cracks between her and Jeffrey had already formed. Even if Andrea's “savior” act turned out

to be a sham, it wouldn't really make a difference to her situation.

But ironically,

if Andrea's so-called savior identity did collapse, then Jeffrey would just have one more excuse to hold off on the

divorce-and he'd probably act even more self-righteous about it.

“Lethandle it-I'll check him out myself,” lan said after thinking it through. “If you go asking him about this,

he’s totally gonna think you're trying to make up with him.”

Jessica nodded, grinning. “Yeah, you're right about that.”

After they hung up,

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Chapter 216

Rebecca was just getting home.

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She brushed aside all her swirling thoughts, stepped into the living room, and found an uninvited guest lounging

on the couch.

As soon as Ryan saw her, his stern features unexpectedly softened, his gaze gentling as he greeted her.

“Rebecca, you're back.”

Rebecca blinked, caught completely off guard. ‘Wait, what?"

Rebecca's eyes reflexively went to her mom.

Why is he here now?‘ Rebecca thought.

Amelia just said, “He wants you to go back with him and take over the Guzman family business.” She wasn’t

kicking him out-she was leaving the choice to Rebecca.

Rebecca gave Ryan a questioning look, and he said, “Once you're there, someone will walk you through

everything. If it's not your thing, no worries-just grab your cut and let someone else handle the details.”

“Not interested,” Rebecca replied, flat and firm.

Ryan had pretty much expected that answer, but he wasn’t ready to throw in the towel. “I can help you deal with

Jeffrey.”

Rebecca said, “Mr. Guzman.”

Ryan tried to soften things up. “Just callDad... callRyan.”

Rebecca didn’t even acknowledge that. “Why do you think | need you to deal with Jeffrey for me?”

“With his status and all his tricks...” Ryan began.

“I might have issues with Jeffrey, but the beef | have with you is way bigger,” Rebecca said bluntly, her tone

frosty. Her mom was standing her ground, so there was no way she’d even think about backing down. “Don’t

ever show up here again. You're not welcome.”

Ryan shot a look at Amelia.

Amelia didn’t even bother to look his way.

Rebecca's whole vibe was pure dismissal. “Please.”

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