After the divorce, he begged

Chapter 104

Jeffrey and Stanley stepped out of the meeting room and spotted Stephen deep in conversation with Jason from

PrimePlay Technologies.

Jeffrey pulled out his phone and made a call. Seeing this, Jason’s expression shifted just a bit. He gave Stephen a

nod and said, “Sorry, gotta take this call.”

“By all means,” Stephen replied politely.

Jason walked a short distance away before answering the call. “Mr. Hanson.”

Jeffrey watched them from a distance, his voice calm and deliberate. “I'll elevate PrimePlay Technologies for you.

How far it goes is up to you.”

Jason paused when he heard this. Almost reflexively, he glanced at his surroundings, then his gaze settled

thoughtfully on Jeffrey.

Stephen, noticing where Jason was looking, turned and met Jeffrey's eyes across the room.

Jeffrey pulled the phone away from his ear and hung up, then turned his gaze and walked out of their sight with

Stanley.

“Mr. Stephen Hanson,” Jason said, picking up on the hint and turning down Stephen's earlier request. “I'm afraid

| can’t agree to what you suggested.

“After all, this is PrimePlay Technologies’ tenth anniversary celebration. It’s only fitting that our own people

handle the awards.”

“Of course,” Stephen replied with a gentle nod.

Jason let out a small sigh of relief. “How about we arrange for you to sit in the front row?”

“No need.” Stephen declined. “I'll just stand off to the side.” Jason hesitated.

“Just stick to your original plan,” Stephen said gently. “I might have to leave early for something.”

With that, Jason didn’t press further. He knew Jeffrey was the real power behind the scenes. Whatever happened,

Jeffrey's wishes cfirst. Crossing him could have unpredictable consequences.

About half an hour later, the tenth-anniversary celebration was drawing to a close. Apart from the basic

procedures of hosts and leaders giving speeches on stage, the remaining events included a ten-year anniversary

raffle and an awards ceremony for performances by various departments.

Ella won a tablet. Another person from her department snagged a phone. Rebecca, true to form, had terrible

luck. She could only pause, momentarily lost for words.

Standing in the corner, Stanley noticed Rebecca's downcast look and nudged Jeffrey. “You really didn’t pull any

strings to get Rebecca a cash bonus or at least skind of prize?”

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Chapter 101

Jeffrey shrugged. “That wouldn't be fair to everyone else.”

20 vouch

“Con, since when do you care about being fair, Mr. Hanson?” Stanley teased mercilessly. Jeffrey just stayed

silent.

Stanley nudged him again, joking, “Hey, | just found out Rebecca’s act got second place. Aren't you gonna play

the big boss and hand her the award?”

Jeffrey didn’t even think about it. “No.”

Whatever kind of arrangement Jeffrey had with Jason was strictly behind closed doors. Even if folks found out he

worked at PrimePlay Technologies, all they'd do was shrug and guess he was scouting his next big investment.

But if he actually went up and gave out awards on stage during the tenth anniversary gala, that would make a

huge splash.

The old guard at the Hanson Group would go absolutely nuts. Jeffrey wasn’t scared of any of that . He just

couldn't be bothered to deal with their nonsense.

“Looks like Stephen’s heading for the stage,” Stanley remarked, shooting a look at Stephen, who was lingering

near the award podium.

Jeffrey's expression darkened slightly. The way Stephen usually operates, he’d never go in for something like

this.

Sure, PrimePlay Technologies couldn't measure up to the Hanson Group, but a ten-year anniversary like this was

bound to hit the financial news. If Stephen took the spotlight up there, the board and those two would nag him to

no end.

If he was really aiming for power, this kind of move was a mistake.

With that thought, Jeffrey cast a confused glance at Stephen, who responded with a courteous nod and a

practiced smile.

“I can’t stand how fake he is,” Stanley muttered, getting chills from that look. “He’s always plotting against you,

but every the speaks to you, he puts on that caring older brother act.”

“That's just how he gets by,” Jeffrey commented blandly.

“The lucky draw’s a wrap, and all the prizes will be handed out to the departments tomorrow,” the host

announced, closing off one part and kicking off the next. “Now, tfor Mr. Smith to announce the rankings for

tonight's performances.”

Just like Stanley said, Rebecca's crew scored second place. The prize was a cool 15 thousand. As the main act,

Rebecca made her way up to collect the award.

Jason handed the trophy to her, showing noticeably more warmth and a few extra layers of emotion than he had

with the first-place winner. He even added a polite gesture. “Your concept was excellent. | hope you come

in first next time.”

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Chapter 104

“Thank you. Mr. Smith,” Rebecca replied, bowing with a radiant grin.

20 vouchers

She'd taken htrophies with far more weight and prestige before. But after all these years, it was her first

tsharing a win with her coworkers, enough to make her feel a gentle stir in her heart.

“Keep up the good work,” Jason said encouragingly. “I believe PrimePlay Technologies is headed for even greater

things.”

Rebecca nodded with a bright smile. “Absolutely.”

After the brief exchange, Rebecca also moved toward the other side. Jason still had to present awards to other

winners and then take a group photo, as the host had quietly reminded them before they went on stage.

Right at that moment, a steady but worried voice suddenly rang out. “Watch out.”

Rebecca and Jason, along with everyone on stage, were all confused.

Before anyone could even react, Stephen lunged forward and pulled Rebecca out of harm’s way, just in tfor

the chandelier overhead to crash straight down onto him.

A series of sharp, thunderous sounds exploded through the air as shards of glass rained down, covering the

stage in glittering debris. Everyone on stage shrieked and stumbled backward, scrambling to get away.

Rebecca stumbled to the side as she was shoved away, barely catching herself. When she looked over, Stephen

was crouched down, blood streaming from his head.

Her pupils shrank as panic flashed in her eyes. “Stephen.”

Blood kept dripping down, but Stephen just looked up at her, concern etched on his face. “Are you hurt?”

“I'm fine,” Rebecca said, glancing at the gash on her ankle from the broken glass. Compared to the mess of

blood pouring down his head, her own injury was nothing.

Stephen forced a weak smile. “As long as you're okay-" Before he could finish, he collapsed.

Rebecca quickly walked over to support him, letting him lean on her. Her eyes filled with urgent concern as she

said, “Mr. Smith, could you please arrange a car to take Mr. Hanson to the hospital? His injury can’t wait.”

Before Jason could respond, Jeffrey stepped forward. He stood before them, eyes as cold as midnight locked onto

the bleeding, unconscious Stephen. His hands at his sides slowly clenched into fists.

Jeffrey’s mind echoed the name, a cold wave washing over him. ‘Stephen, | didn’t expect this to be your plan,’

Jeffrey thought, disbelief flickering in his heart.

“Mr. Hanson,” Jason said. With Jeffrey here, he finally felt a bit less on edge. But the thought of Stephen getting

hurt at his company’s tenth anniversary celebration twisted his stomach all over again.

“What are you all waiting for? Get your boss to the hospital.” Jeffrey’s voice was cold as ice as he looked at

Bernard and the rushing bodyguards. “Or are you trying to wait until the coroner has to show up?”

Bernard was struck speechless. ‘Did | really have to be that harsh?’ he thought.

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Without wasting a second, they quickly carried Stephen to the car and sped off toward the hospital.

Rebecca stood up and followed him, but she had barely taken two steps when Jeffrey grabbed her wrist. His grip

was strong, and his gaze was more serious than ever before. “Where are you going?”

Chapter 105