Chapter 64
Once he was gone, Jessica exhaled a sigh of relief and pressed down the queasiness in her stomach. She glanced at the mess on the floor and called the staff to send up someone from cleaning.
She had no intention of keeping those things. All she took with her were a few notebooks.
In the CEO’s office, Jackson stood before Brian with a document in hand–Jessica’s resignation letter. He reported, “Mr. Atkinson, Mrs. Atkinson has already left.
Brian said nothing. His tall figure stood motionless by the floor–to–ceiling window, his eyes fixed on the view outside. He had watched Jessica’s car drive away with his own eyes.
Receiving no response, Jackson quietly set the letter down and exited the office. Just as the door closed, he glanced back at Brian’s solitary figure for a few moments and gave a faint shake of his head.
Jackson thought, ‘How can Mr. Atkinson, who has always been unstoppable in business, be so blind when it comes to relationships? He neglected a woman like Jessica and chose instead to defend Madeline. A perfectly good home has completely fallen apart.’
After wasting half a day at Atkinson Group, Jessica went directly to Grant Group.
Her schedule was packed, but remembering that she had promised to visit Jacob tomorrow, she instructed, “Herbert, move all of tomorrow evening’s appointments to today if possible. Anything that can’t be moved, push it to before 5 PM tomorrow. I’ll work late tonight.”
“Yes, Ms. Grant. I’ll come to you shortly,” Herbert replied. He paused for a beat, said nothing more, and went off to make the adjustments.
Herbert thought it was his duty as her assistant to carve out time for her whenever needed.
Jessica worked overtime straight through to nearly 3 AM.
When she got home, Stella was still awake. She brought out a cup of warm milk for Jessica to drink before going to bed.
“Don’t be pressured, honey. Your father is supporting you from behind. Let’s take it one step at a time. Don’t wear yourself out,” Stella said with
concern.
“Mom, I’m not tired. I just feel like there’s never enough time.” Jessica gave Stella a hug. “Mom, don’t wait for me anymore. Go to bed earlier. I can take care of myself, okay?“!
The next morning, the alarm rang. Jessica’s eyes immediately caught the countdown on the screen. There was only one day left.
Just as she had anticipated, she would leave Atkinson Villa for good and walk out of Brian’s and Jacob’s lives forever. She rose without hesitation, washed up, and went to the office.
The day passed quickly in Jessica’s busy schedule.
At Atkinson Villa, Madeline used Jacob’s good test results as an excuse to prepare a dinner to celebrate. She spent hours in the kitchen, making a full table of dishes.
She said, “There’s just one last thing left, fried chicken drumsticks. Jacob’s favorite.”
Madeline went upstairs to call Jacob down from his homework. Sylvie watched her retreating figure with some irritation.
Sylvie complained inwardly, ‘All my tasks are being taken over by Madeline. She’s inserting herself into everything.
Perhaps because there was something to celebrate, Brian came home to the villa unusually early.
As Madeline came down the stairs holding Jacob’s hand, she saw Brian and immediately lit up. “Hey, Mr. Atkinson, you’re back.”
She let go of Jacob’s hand and walked over to take Brian’s coat.
Whether because Brian felt it was inappropriate or simply did not want to trouble an outsider, Brian reached past Madeline and handed his coat to
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Chapter 64
Sylvie, who was still a few steps away
Sylvie’s smile grew as she accepted the coat. Mr. Atkinson, welcome home
She gave Madeline a glance as she took the coat.
Madeline’s smile faltered for a second before she composed herself as though nothing had happened. She called everyone to wash their hands for
dinner.
Brian’s steps paused. His mind was filled with countless memories of Jessica calling him and Jacob to wash their hands before meals.
After Brian and Jacob went off to the bathroom, Madeline sent Sylvie to fry the drumsticks, effectively getting her out of the way.
With her hands in her pockets, her expression flickered with internal conflict. Clutched tightly in her palm was a small packet of paper, containing two pills.
Madeline muttered, “Brian, I love you more than Jessica does. I am better suited for you than she is. With those words, she dropped the pills into a glass of red wine.
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