They Want Me Back When It's Too Late (Jessica and Brian) novel Chapter 71

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Chapter 71

Chapter 71

With newfound certainty about Jessica’s pregnancy, Brian felt the dark clouds that had weighed on him dissipate

The following day, he said as Jacob was about to leave for school, “Jake, I’ll bring your thom home soon.

“Really?” Jacob’s eyes lit up

“Absolutely.” Brian resisted the urge to tell Jacob that he might soon have a little brother or sister.

“She won’t leave again, right?” Jacob’s voice wavered, recalling how he had woken to find Jessica gone after the storytime. He had even cried into his

pillow,

“Never again” Brian nodded.

“Great I’ll study extra hard to show Mom my grades!” Jacob skipped off to school.

Sylvie, watching nearby, felt a quiet sense of relief. She thought, Mr. Atkinson still loves Jessica. My refusal to cooperate with Madeline’s schemes Now seems right.‘

Brian’s rare good mood lingered through breakfast, carrying into the office.

Jackson, his assistant, immediatelyn

noticed the shift

As Jackson finished his report and turned to leave, Brian said, “Hire some guards and arrange discreet security for Jessica. Don’t let her notice.”

Jackson hesitated slightly, surprised but not questioning “Got it, Mr. Atkinson.” He simply nodded and left to arrange it

That afternoon, Madeline waited for Jacob at the Hartdale International Bilingual School gate with a Superman figurine, his former favorite.

“Jake, o

over here!” Madeline waved her hand.

“Maddie.” Jacob approached hesitantly, with none of his usual excitement.

Madeline’s smile strained as she revealed the toy. “Look, it’s your favorite boy. A reward for you.”

Jacob’s eyes sparkled with joy but then dimmed. “I need to focus on studying now. Thank you, but I can’t accept it.”

Madeline’s smile faltered. “It won’t distract you.”

Jacob shook his head and turned to get into the waiting car. Before the door closed, he waved politely. “Goodbye, Maddie

Only after the car drove away did Madeline snap back to reality, clenching her teeth in frustration.

For two consecutive days, she waited outside the school gate, trying to take Jacob out to play. But each time, Jacob declined, saying he needed to s

At Atkinson Group, Madelina’s morning passed in distracted agitation. Jacob’s recent coldness gnawed ather

Suddenly, a message buzzed on her phone. It was from her spy inside the company. Madeline, Mr. Atkinson just entered the cafeteria.

In the cafeteria, Brian sat alone. An invisible radius of empty tables surrounded him. No one dared sit too close to him.

Madeline hurried over and spotted Brian immediately. Her gaze swept the cafeteria, noting several female colleagues stealing glances at him. She committed their faces to memory before bringing lunch and sitting opposite Brian

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Chapter 71

Madeline broke the silence. “Mr. Atkinson.”

Brian raised an eyebrow in mild surprise.

“Jacob seems troubled lately” Madeline feigned concern. “is someone pressuring him about studying?”

Brian’s fork paused. He thought, Jake has been devouring breakfast since hearing Jessica would return, with hardly signs of distress. As for studying? It’s not too stressful. Lendured far more rigorous childhood drills.

Madeline continued, lowering her voice, “Somehow, Jake seems upset with me. I tried taking him to the amusement park to relax, but he refused.”

She and Jacob had always been close, and they often went to parks together.

Brian replied calmly, “Jake is in a key academic period, It’s normal for hits to feel some pressure.”

“Oh, so that’s how it is.” Madeline’s eyes brightened. “Then perhaps after finals, I could take him out.

“Hmm.” Brian’s simple response ended the discussion. Then he returned to his meal.

Madeline matched his pace, finishing her meal. When Brian finished, she moved as naturally as possible and took it from him..

“Thanks.” Brian released the tray.

To anyone watching their interaction spoke volumes.

No sooner had they left the cafeteria than whispers began spreading among the employees. “Madeline is playing a long game. Even Ms. Grant couldn’t dislodge her after all these years”

“Ms. Granit deserved better.”

At Grant Group, Jessica’s phone buzzed with a notification. She glanced at her phone to find an anonymous message–a photo of Madeline and Brian having a meal in the corporate cafeteria.

In the frozen frame, Madeline’s coquettish smile paired with Brian’s gaze could almost be mistaken for tenderness

Jessica remained strangely calm. She couldn’t tell whether it was numbness or detachment.

Soon, more photos followed–Madeline clearing Brian’s tray.

Several messages arrived. Come back, Ms. Grant. Madeline is getting shameless!)

[That little bitch

These messages filled with outrage and insults aimed at Madeline. It was almost like the sender was the betrayed wile

Jessica read through them, sensing the bitterness and hostility behind each word. She didn’t reply. Her battles weren’t for strangers to wage

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