“They put out two percent of Atkinson Group’s shares. Big move, Hector said. “I’ve already got someone keeping an eye on them for you.”

Then, his gossip instincts kicked in. “Come on, tell me what’s going on, Mr. Atkinson. Don’t tell me you’re the one who’s short on cash and dumping byour /bbown /bshares”

Brian already had a good idea of what bwas /bgoing on. At a time like this, the only person who would be selling Atkinson Group shares bwas /bprobably Jessica.

“Buy up that two percent for me. And get as many of the loose shares on the market as you can while you’re at it.” Brian gave a few quick instructions and hung up, staring nkly for a moment before calling Madeline.

b“/bbMr. /bAtkinson, is there something you need?” Madeline answered from inside a residentialplex, trying to contain her excitement. She thought, “He’s calling me thiste at night.

As soon as the call connected, Brian got straight to the point. “Madeline, buy up all the shares that just hit the market.”

“Yes, Mr. Atkinson.” In her bedroom, Madeline felt a sh of disappointment but quickly perked up again. To her, the fact that Brian trusted her with something this important meant she still had a ce in his heart.

On the other end, after Brian hung up, his thoughts circled back to Jessica. He had to admit–Jessica had trained up a capable assistant. Madeline was easy to work with and got things done.

Brian looked out the window, his mind drifting to all the little moments he’d shared with Jessica over the past seven years. It took a while before he snapped out of it and dialed her number.

The ringtone yed for half ba /bminute. Just when Brian started thinking she might’ve blocked him, the line connected.

“What is it?” Jessica’s voice bwas /bcold, sharp in ba /bway that made it clear she’d dropped the bact/b.

Brian pressed his lips together. “You’re the one who sold the two percent of Atkinson Group shares.” His tone wasn’t a question—it was ba /bstatement.

Since she knew Brian would’ve found out eventually, bJessica /bsimply replied, “Yeah.”

Brian let out a short, bitterugh. “So this is your way of getting back at me?b” /b

Jessica scoffed, “You’re overthinking it. I just wanted a bit more money after the divorce. Brian, don’t tell me you forgot—I’m the one who insisted on walking away with nothing.”

The moment she brought this up, Brian went silent for a few seconds. b“/bJessica, you’d better know when to stop. Talking about divorce too much ruins whatever’s left between us.b” /b

Jessica let out a coldugh. “There’s still something left between us?b” /b

“How many times do I have to bsay /bit? There’s nothing going on between me and Madeline. We’re just—” Brian tried to exin.

“I don’t care about your rtionship with her,” Jessica cut in, impatient. “That two percent of thepany belongs to me. I have every right to decide what to do with it.”

b“/bWhere are you right nowb?/bb” /bBrian changed the subject. “I’lle get you. Let’s talk bface/bb–/bto–bface/bb./bb” /b

Jessica wouldn’t budge. “bSure/bb. /bJust sign the divorce papers, and I’lle bback /bright away.”

Brian said, ‘No bway/b.”

b“/bbYes /bway. Brian, you better sign it. I’m running out of patience.” Jessica’s tone was firm.

She couldn’t even remember thest time she’d spoken to Brian with this much backbone,

“Don’t make us settle this in court.” With thatb, /bshe hung up.

At Atkinson Vi, Brian mmed his phone down in anger, breaking it.

Even now, he still didn’t believe that Jessica would actually go through with the divorceb, /bbthat /bshe would be willing to leave Jacob, her own son.

The next dayb, /bGabri came bback/b. b“/bJessi, bI’ve /balready taken care of everything at thepany, Come with me today to check in. Be ready to start anytime.”

bOver /bthe bpast /bcouple of days, while handling her own work, she also casually cleared out an boffice /bspace for Jessica.

5:59 bAM /b

“Sure,” Jessica said.

Half an hourter, she arrived at Inkspire Studio.

It was a brand she and Gabri had built together, with a decent reputation internationally.

After years away from the illustration scene, bJessica /bwalked through the exhibition and found quite a few impressive pieces.

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