They Want Me Back When It's Too Late (Jessica and Brian) novel Chapter 383

Chapter 383

Madeline’s expression twisted for a split second. Even though she’d had a hunch things wouldn’t go as well as she hoped, being shot down so bluntly by Brian still made anger rise in her.

The

and then snatching it away in an instant?‘

Brian could feel Madeline’s anger, but he didn’t care.

Madeline was barely better than a stranger to him now. If it weren’t for keeping her stuck abroad, he’d never have let her rejoin Atkinson Group at all.

“The vice president role at the Yvoria branch just opened up,” Brian said flatly. “If you want to come back, I can put you in it straight away.”

A branch vice president was way higher than her old job as a secretary, and the pay was several times higher.

He didn’t think Madeline would turn it down, but she did.

“Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Atkinson,” Madeline said gently, “but I want

to

relax a bit longer. I’m not ready to go back to work yet.”

Brian narrowed his eyes slightly. “It’s been nearly two months. You’re sure you don’t want to think about work?”

This wasn’t like Madeline at all. From what Brian remembered, she was ambitious and short of money. She’d been abroad this long, supporting her family back home. Her savings should be running out by now.

He thought, ‘By rights, she should be rushing to find a job, but instead she’s acting like she could take it easy. Why?”

Brian thought back to what the people keeping an eye on Madeline had reported. There was no sign of her getting any extra money lately.

So what would make the cash–strapped Madeline turn down a high–paying job? It was worth thinking about.

Brian stared hard at Madeline, not missing a single change in her expression.

Madeline’s heart tightened. She right away her refusal had made Brian suspicious. ‘Oh no,‘ she thought, but her face showed nothing.

“Mr. Atkinson, why are you staring at me like that?” she asked. “Is there something on my face?” She took out her phone to check.

Then she looked up as if just remembering something. “Oh, right, Mr. Atkinson, I saw online that besides work, you’re in Yvoria to buy Jessi’s favorite candy. You know, you could’ve just asked me to do that for you.”

“You can do that?” Brian raised an eyebrow.

Madeline smiled and nodded. “Yeah, I can do that for you. Anyway, I plan to travel abroad for a long time, so picking up some snacks Jessi likes would be totally convenient.

“Of course, it’d be even better if you’re willing to pay me a service fee, Mr. Atkinson, so I can make a little extra.”

She gave Brian an embarrassed smile. “You might not know this, Mr. Atkinson, but I’m planning to do some buying for others while I travel. Just trying to make ends meet, you know? I don’t come from a wealthy family.”

Brian hadn’t expected her to say all that. He studied Madeline carefully, looking for signs she was lying.

Madeline forced herself not to look away, letting him stare. A shy, well–timed smile stayed on her lips.

Under the table, her sharp nails dug into her palm until they broke the skin.

Withstanding Brian’s pressure wasn’t easy. But she managed it…

Brian found no flaws in her act, but he didn’t let his guard down. Something still felt off.

13:42 Mon, 28 Jul 60 G

Chapter 383

“Sure. If you’re willing, then I’ll trouble you. Oh, and every time you go somewhere new, you can send me and Jessi a few postcards wich you m then. That way we can keep up with how you’re doing.” Brian spoke flatly, all but saying he didn’t trust her.

Madeline’s smile turned forced, but she agreed in the end.

Brian nodded. “Then let’s end this conversation here. Oh, and send everything directly to Atkinson Villa. I don’t want any mix–ups with the delivery

Madeline’s expression stiffened even more.

Bút under Brian’s gaze, no matter how much resentment she felt, she had to swallow it down. She bowed her head and agreed.

Seeing that she was being compliant, Brian didn’t push further. He stood up and left the table.

Madeline watched Brian’s handsome figure as he swiped his card to pay at the register. Her desire to have him grew even stronger.

She thought, ‘Such an excellent man–why can’t he be mine? After all, Jessica has voluntarily given him up, hasn’t she? Why can’t fight for him? Why?”

Madeline dug her nails hard into her palm. At that moment, her loathing for Jessica hit an all–time high.

Seething with hatred, she thought, ‘Jessica, you should just vanish completely!‘

Back home, at Grant Group, Jessica was in the middle of work when her nose suddenly tickled. She couldn’t help but sneeze.

Sana, who’d just walked in with some documents, quickly asked with concern, “Jessi, did you catch a cold? Have you taken any medicine?” She poured a glass of warm water and handed it to Jessica.

Jessica took a sip, shook her head, and said, “No, it was just a random sneeze. Besides, it’s not like you get a cold easily in this weather.”

Sana thought that made sense. “If it’s not a cold, maybe someone’s badmouthing you behind your back. Oh, Jessi, has Madeline been following you around lately?”

Just thinking about the time she’d run into Madeline outside the hair salon made Sana mad.

Sana thought, ‘That woman really has no shame.‘

Jessica shook her head. “Not lately.”

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