After the divorce, he begged

Chapter 45

Rebecca stiffened for a moment, instinctively tracing where Elmer was looking.

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Jeffrey was sprawled out on a sofa by the window, a financial magazine in hand. As if sensing her gaze, he lifted

his eyes and glanced over at her.

“Mr. Hanson, do you still have Rebecca’s contract?” Elmer asked, taking the initiative.

Jeffrey glanced up at Elmer, his gaze cool and casual.

Feeling a little unnerved by that look, Elmer didn’t push the matter and instead turned to Rebecca. “Why do you

need the contract?” he asked.

“I just want to double-check the details,” Rebecca replied, keeping her tone carefully neutral in front of Elmer. “If

it hasn't been officially signed and sealed, is it possible forto add another clause?”

Right after she finished speaking, someone walked in from the hallway, with a contract in hand. They walked

straight up to Jeffrey and handed it over. “Mr. Hanson, the contract has been officially signed and sealed,” the

person announced.

“Just give it to Rebecca,” Jeffrey said, his eyes settling on her. His voice was unhurried, casually pointing her out.

“That's

her.”

The legal assistant handed Rebecca the contract, just as Jeffrey had instructed.

Holding the contract, Rebecca felt its weight. She couldn't shake the sense that this was part of Jeffrey's plan.

Steadying herself, she flipped through the pages, seeing the company seal and PrimePlay Technologies’ legal

representative’s

signature.

The contract was now fully in effect; quitting would mean a 3-million-dollar penalty.

“If there’s anything you need, just tell me,” Elmer said, completely missing the tension in Rebecca's face. “As

long as it’s reasonable, | can make it happen. No need to put it in the contract.”

“It’s fine,” Rebecca answered, feeling icy all over. She forced a smile, offered a stiff nod, and headed out. She

didn’t stick around, slipping away as fast as she could.

Elmer stared at Rebecca's retreating figure, a look of doubt flickering in his eyes. He ventured. “Mr. Hanson...”

Jeffrey glanced up, his eyes cool. “Yes?”

Elmer froze. Any questions he had died in his throat. “No, nothing,” he blurted out, instantly backing off.

Jeffrey didn’t say another word, just looked back down at his magazine. But ten minutes ticked by and he didn’t

flip a single page. He was obviously miles away in his own head.

“Mr. Smith has arranged a dinner at the Jelasburg Grand Hotel to welcyou,” Elmer said, relaying the

important news. “When would you like to go over?”

Jeffrey raised an eyebrow. “To welcme?”

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15:35 Thu, 18 Sept

Chapter 45

“Yes,” Elmer replied.

Jeffrey's lips curled into a faint smile. “I’m not the only one new here today.”

“Are you suggesting Rebecca should come, too?” Elmer ventured a guess.

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“That's for you to decide, not me,” Jeffrey said, checking his watch. He set his magazine down and stood. “I've

got other

things to do, so I'm heading out.”

Elmer didn’t stop Jeffrey. He reported the incident to upper management, knowing Jason had asked him to watch

Rebecca. If she were connected to Jason, things could get complicated.

In the end, Elmer was overthinking. After hearing the situation, Jason told him to follow Jeffrey's lead and bring

Rebecca along. Jason made it clear. For now, Jeffrey’s word was law. Everything in the company, business and

people alike, was

Jeffrey's call.

With that settled, EImer went to find Rebecca. He didn’t spell things out, just mentioned that the company was

holding a

welcdinner for the new team members.

“I have sthings to handle at home,” Rebecca said, trying to get out of it. “Is it okay if | don’t go?”

“Turning down the company dinner on your first day might not look so good,” Elmer said, his tone gentle but

insistent. “It’s just one meal. It won't take much of your time.” And with that, he walked off without waiting for

Rebecca's answer.

Frustration tightened around Rebecca’s chest. She wanted to leave, but knew she couldn't afford the impulse

this time. Skipping dinner and refusing to play along would likely make her a target later.

She was still just the new hire here, and thanks to that ruthless breach-of-contract clause, quitting wasn’t even

an option

now.

“What did Elmer say to you?” Jane asked, stepping over when she noticed the troubled look on Rebecca's face.

“He wantsto join him for dinner later,” Rebecca said, forcing herself to put on a neutral front so she wouldn't

pass on her bad mood. “Supposedly, it's a welcdinner for the new faces.”

Jane paused for a moment, a thoughtful crease forming between her brows.

Rebecca immediately sensed something was off. “Is there something | should know?”

“It's likely their way of introducing you to key company leaders,” Jane said calmly. “They might want to fast-track

you. Just enjoy your dinner.”

Rebecca's face fell; this was exactly what she dreaded. “If | don’t go, will | get singled out?” she asked, feeling

more at ease with Jane's calming, big-sister vibe. She was relaxed around Jane.

Jane looked at Rebecca and gave a definite answer. “Yes, you will.”

Rebecca’s mood tanked in a heartbeat.

“Seriously, don’t sweat it,” Jane said, looking at Rebecca. “Those big shots in the company? They're just regular

folks, not the type to mess with you or take advantage. They'll probably just talk your ear off.”

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Chapter 45

Resigned, Rebecca messaged lan to ask if he could pick up Samuel, and then checked the tand forced

herself to head to the hotel for dinner.

Even though Jane had tried to

reassure her, Rebecca was always on

guard when it ctq these {rds of

things. {dm her past dinners with

f q

Jeffrey, she'd caught glimpses of all

kinds of messy going down in

private rooms. The content is on

novelenglish.net! Read the latest

chapter there!

She sent lan the address, just in case. It was probably fine, but if anything did happen, at least she had someone

she could

count on.

“Elmer.” Rebecca paused with her hand on the car door, suddenly remembering something really important.

Elmer glanced sideways at her. “Yeah?”

Rebecca thought for a second, not bothering to sugarcoat it. “Is Mr. Hanson going to be there?”

Elmer lied smoothly, not missing a beat, “No, he’s not.”

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Earlier, Gregory, Jeffrey's assistant,

messaged Elmer with strict ern; If

Rebecca asked RL Rfffey E mer

, 0

Had To.- 3 Re wasn't coming. Elmer

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didn't know why, but followed the

instructions. The content is on

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chapter there!

Rebecca tried to read anything from

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Elmer's face, but with all nessa

revgagoetohi Elmer had

mastered the art of hiding his true

a . q , q q

feelings; he didn't give anything away.

The car stopped outside the hotel. As Rebecca was about to enter, her phone buzzed. It was lan. She slipped into

a quiet

corner to answer.

Without small talk, he asked bluntly, “They're having you eat at the Jelasburg Grand Hotel on your first day?”

Rebecca let out a breath, answering honestly, “Yeah, supposedly it's skind of welcdinner for the new

hires.”

lan remained skeptical, thinking, ‘A welcdinner at the Jelasburg Grand Hotel? That place is usually reserved

for the company’s big-tbusiness parties.”

“There's something else | forgot to mention,” Rebecca hesitated, and then decided to be honest about what

happened today.

lan sounded alert. “Yeah?”

Rebecca lowered her voice, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. “The CEO of PrimePlay

Technologies is

Jeffrey.”

Han went silent for a moment, his mind buzzing with disbelief. He finally blurted out, “Wait. Are you absolutely

sure it was Jeffrey?”

“I'm sure,” Rebecca said. “The manager even introduced him to us.”

“Rebecca, listen to me. Don't go to that dinner,” lan said, his voice urgent and low. “I'm completely sure Jeffrey

set this whole thing up to mess with you.”