But deep down, he was still craving the corn chowder Jessica used to make.

After a moment, Jacob stiffly said to Jessica, b“/bbI /bwant corn chowder. bAre /byou making it or not?”

bHe /bwas calling out to her, waiting stubbornly for her to apologize and make up with him. He was on the verge of crying, yet his tone was still that of a threat.

Jessica shook her head. “No. Whoever wants to make it, go ahead.”

Hearing thatb, /bMadeline threw bJessica /bba /bveiled challenge. b“/bbJessi/b, bit’s /bjust some corn chowder. It doesn’t take that much effort. Why do you have to upset Jake like this? His leg hasn’t even healed yet.”

She wiped baway /btears bas /bif heartbroken and held Jacob’s hand. “I’ll make it for youb, /bokay?”

“Okay.” Jacob choked out, ring at Jessica in anger. “Mom, I really don’t love you anymore. From now on, I only love Maddie.”

Jacob might be young, but he already knew what words could hurt Jessica the most.

He had said this same line so many times before. Every time bJessica /btried to push him to study and he didn’t want to, he would say that he didn’t bJove /bher and that he loved Madeline instead.

bSo /bto Jessica, it bwas /bobvious he always knew how much this would hurt her, but he still chose to say it just to guilt–trip and control her.

b“/bJacob, Brian suddenly cut in, his sharp tone making Jacob flinch and feel even more wronged.

That’s enough. Go bback /bto your ward. Since Sylvie followed the recipe, it shouldn’t taste that different,” Brian said.

Seeing Brian lose his temper, Jacob grew a bit scared and looked bat /bbJessica /bpitifully, hoping she’d step in.

Jessica didn’t react, so he let Madeline lead him away.

Brian remarked, “Jessica, I need to talk to=”

Jessica had finished her check–up and picked up her medication. Without acknowledging Brianb, /bshe walked straight into the elevator and left.

Brian stared at the elevator doors, his face darkening. He thought, ‘Looks like bI’ve /bspoiled her too much.

Jessica went back to Gabri’s ce.

Gabri had dropped everything at workst night to pick her up, then rushed out early this morning to take bcare /bof work.

Since Jessica had decided toe back, and the baby hadn’t been born yet, she figured she could only work behind the scenes for now. So she opened herptop and started familiarizing herself with the systems and channels used for backend operations.

Night fell quickly. Brian came back to Atkinson Vi two hours earlier than usual, nning to have a bserious /btalk with bJessica/bb. /bBut she wasn’t in the house.

Jessica didn’te back today?” he asked.

Sylvie was handing Brian the dinner menu. Hearing thatb, /bbshe /breplied, “Ms. Grant hasn’t been back all day.”

“Call her Mrs. Atkinson.” Brian didn’t like the sound of “Ms. Grant”ing out of Sylvie’s mouth. It made it feel like Jessica didn’t even belong in this house.

“Oh, alright.” Sylvie looked flustered. She thought to herself, ‘Sounds like Ms. Grant still holds some bweight /bin this household. That other woman who came to Atkinson Vi to btake /bcare of their son is probably just a skilled homewrecker‘

Brian had no idea what was going through Sylvie’s mind. He frowned and went upstairs.

He waited another couple of hours, but Jessica bnever /bshowed up.

Just as he was about to call herb–/bstill suspecting she might’ve blocked his number–his phone rang.

The caller ID showed it was one of his close friends in bthe /bindustry–Hector West.

“Hello? bWhat /bis it? Brian answered the bcall/b.

As soon as the line connected, Hector’sid–back voice came through. “Hey, Mr. Atkinson. What’s bup/b? Is Atkinson Group going bankrupt or something?”

b1/2 /b1

$59

Brian raised an eyebrow. b“/bWhat the hell are you talking about?b” /b

“If it’s not going bankrupt, then why are yourpany shares being sold?” Hector’s voice even carried a hint of gloat.

Brian nced at his phone screen, making sure it bwas /breally Hector’s number. “bAre /byou sure about that?”

He thought, ‘Someone’s selling shares of Atkinson Group?

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