After the divorce, he begged

Chapter 227

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“Mr. Guzman, do you need Mr. Stephen Hanson's contact info?” Gregory asked, looking all businesslike as he

finished re-wrapping the bandage. “I can get it for you.”

“No need,” Ryan said, casting a brief glance at the still-pale guy. “I don’t have tto worry about someone who

doesn’t matter.”

With that, he walked off without sticking around.

After getting into the car, he realized he'd actually knocked on Ryan's window just to ask why he hadn't left yet.

‘Talk about a pointless move,‘ he thought, a bit amused at himself.

He turned, shot one last look through the back window, then shrugged it off and told the driver, “Let's go.”

Jeffrey didn’t leave right away. He had Gregory drive the car to a spot hidden from view, and they waited quietly

until 10:30 PM, when brilliant fireworks exploded over the front yard of the villa, painting the night sky with color.

Only then did Jeffrey finally head out.

He pulled out his phone and shot her a quick message: [Happy birthday, Rebecca.]

Rebecca saw it.

She gazed out her window at the never-ending fireworks. ‘He set that up just for me, Rebecca thought softly to

herself.

Just like in Jelasburg, fireworks weren't banned in Honnala unless there was sspecial situation. Every year on

her birthday, Jeffrey would work things out with the officials, cup with sreason, and make sure she had

fireworks. This year was no different.

Midnight rolled around.

Rebecca opened up Jeffrey’s chat, typed out “Happy birthday,” and had her finger on send. Just as she was about

to tap it, she suddenly hesitated.

Jeffrey hadn’t mentioned taking her back to Jelasburg these past few days, and he'd been calm the whole time.

But still, they hadn't officially split up yet.

After mulling it over, she erased the message.

Just then, Jeffrey texted her: [It's your birthday. Got any wishes? (Don’t pick anything about me.)]

Rebecca hesitated for a beat.

Every year, she'd make two birthday wishes-one for herself and another for Jeffrey, right after midnight when it

turned into his birthday. She’d asked once why he never made a wish of his own, but his answer was always the

same: the only thing he ever wanted was to stay by her side.

His wish had already ctrue, so nothing else mattered to him.

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Chapter 227

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In all five years of their marriage, Jeffrey had made every single one of her wishes ctrue—no exceptions.

Jeffrey: Just tellwhat you want. I'll make it happen.)

Rebecca closed the chat window without replying.

The way things stood between them now, these kinds of mixed signals really didn’t make sense anymore.

Answering him now would just make him think they still had a chance, and once he started hoping, he'd never

let her walk away.

Jeffrey waited for five minutes, but she still didn’t text back.

‘She saw it for sure.’ Jeffrey thought, noticing the “typing...” bubble pop up in the chat-that was all the proof he

needed.

After a moment's hesitation, he sent another message: [Received your blessing.]

Rebecca: [77]

When did | ever actually send him a blessing?’ Rebecca muttered inwardly, completely bewildered.

Jessica cout of the bathroom and saw Rebecca frowning, looking a bit annoyed. She glanced at Rebecca's

phone screen, which was still lit up. “Did Jeffrey piss you off?”

“Not really,” Rebecca said honestly.

Jessica ran a towel through her mostly dry hair and sat down next to Rebecca. “Have you ever considered a

question?”

Rebecca glanced over at her. “What is it?”

“If Andrea gets in trouble and Jeffrey decides to cut her off completely,” Jessica asked seriously, “what if he

comes back to you, wanting to patch things up? What would you do?”

“I wouldn't do anything,” Rebecca answered, firm. “The divorce is still happening.”

“Good,” Jessica said, exhaling in relief.

That night, the two of them crashed together.

They had a proper sleepover, sharing the bed like besties.

At first, they just gossiped about Rebecca and Jeffrey, then moved on to the Quinn family and the Guzman family.

Soon enough, Jessica was spilling all the juiciest office , and when morning came, they were both totally

wiped out, yawning like crazy.

Jessica was so tired she could barely keep her eyes open. “Let's just sleep in a bit longer. We don’t have to work

today anyway.”

“You go ahead,” Rebecca said, forcing herself out of bed. Her head was still fuzzy from staying up all night. “I've

got a meeting with Ms. White, Attorney. I'll wake you up when | get back.”

Chapter 227

“Alright,” Jessica mumbled, pulling the covers over her head and crashing right back to sleep.

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At 9:30 AM, Rebecca showed up at the spot where she was meeting Ms. White, Attorney.

She'd barely taken her seat when a composed, professional-looking woman in a tailored business suit

approached-the kind of person whose calm confidence made everyone around her relax. Her hair was neatly

swept back, and she radiated a brisk competence.

It was only Rebecca's second tseeing Ms. White, Attorney, yet she still found herself admiring her. “Ms.

White,” Rebecca greeted, unable to hide her awe.

“Hope | didn’t keep you waiting,” Ms. White, Attorney said, settling in across from her, her smile gentle and

reassuring.

They exchanged a couple polite words.

Rebecca filled her in again about everything that had gone down at the hospital. It wasn’t exactly fresh news

anymore-just her retelling the details.

“It’s fine, honestly. | only had you go to see if by any chance something unexpected would cup,” Ms. White,

Attorney said knowingly-after all, we're talking about Jeffrey here. “Since there's nothing more to be done, I'll

head to the court tomorrow and submit the lawsuit. Just hang tight and lethandle it.”

Rebecca nodded. “Alright.”

“There's one thing you need to know before we get started,” Ms. White, Attorney said.

“Sure,” Rebecca nodded.

“This could turn into a real marathon, so you'd better buckle up,” Ms. White, Attorney warned, laying it all out.

“He's the type to play dirty just to keep from signing those divorce papers.”

Rebecca didn’t even blink. “Trust me, I'm ready for whatever comes.”

He could just ignore the court's calls and pretend he never got served, so the documents end up getting posted

publicly. After that, he might start tossing out jurisdiction challenges or keep trying to stall things with endless

mediation.

It’s all just for show-none of those tricks actually get him anywhere, he’s just dragging it out for as long as

possible.

With all these little delays piled up, just getting to trial might take a whole year.

“Alright,” Ms. White, Attorney said, handing Rebecca all the paperwork she'd prepared. “Take a look. If it all looks

good, I'll start the process tomorrow.”

Rebecca looked them over. “No problem.”

“Alright,” Ms. White, Attorney replied.

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Chapter 227

They went over a few more details, and by the tthey wrapped up, it was already past eleven.

36 youchere

Rebecca wanted to grab lunch with Ms. White, Attorney, but she had another lunch lined up, so she had to turn

Rebecca down. Still, she made sure to remind Rebecca to take care on her way home, and to text her once she

got there so she’d know she was safe.

Rebecca promised she would.

After watching Ms. White, Attorney leave, Rebecca unlocked her new car and climbed inside.

She had just gotten into the driver's seat when the passenger door flew open-Andrea hopped in and snapped on

her seatbelt in a flash.

Rebecca jumped in surprise.

“I need to talk to you about something,” Andrea said before Rebecca could even get a word out. “I'll be quick. |

won't take up much of your time.”

“Get out,” Rebecca said, still shaken.

She couldn’t even imagine what she'd do if it had been spsycho killer who just hopped in.

She'd checked both sides of the car before getting in-there was no one around.

Andrea shot her a look, clearly fed up. “Do you always have to act like you're above it all, looking down on

everyone? I'm here for something serious.”

Rebecca checked her watch and kept quiet.

This place was pretty far from the police station-getting the cops involved over something like this just seemed

pointless. ‘Next time, I'm definitely dragging Mark with me, Rebecca thought.

“So, have you given any thought to what we talked about last time?” Andrea pressed again. “If 15 million is too

much, | can just forget about the money-as long as you make sure Jeffrey stays out of my life for good.”

Jeffrey had already agreed to pay up anyway.

Andrea was just here to cover her bases.

If Jeffrey found out the truth and tried to go back on his word, at least Rebecca would be there to stop him.

“So you're really that terrified Jeffrey will find out you've been faking being his benefactor?” Rebecca blurted out

without even thinking.

Andrea stared in shock, eyes wide, completely floored.

She stared at Rebecca in utter disbelief, heart hammering in her chest. “When-when did you find out?”

Rebecca was momentarily stunned.

As the words sank in, she hesitated, realizing what she'd just blurted out.

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Jessica had been tossing out all those crazy theories and suspicions lately-so Rebecca had just said whatever

without thinking, mostly to brush Andrea off.

‘Wait a sec... did | just hit the nail on the head by accident?’ Rebecca thought, dumbfounded at her own random

guess.

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