They Want Me Back When It's Too Late (Jessica and Brian) novel Chapter 178

Chapter 178

Unable to mooch a free plan, Madeline had no choice but to plow ahead reluctantly on her own. Meanwhile, having to watch Bean regularly rd liver tra meals a day to Jessica made her seethe with jealousy.

If she felt miserable, she might as well make everyone else suffer.

With that, she touched up her makeup, grabbed the documents, and marched straight to Brian’s office.

“Mr. Atkinson, there are a few parts of this project I just can’t quite figure out. Would you mind helping me out?”

Madeline, with an exaggerated blush, handed the documents to Brian.

She added, “Honestly, Jessi had explained the solution before, but it’s just slipped my mind. I’m nowhere near as capable as she is. If only she were still here, she’d have solved it in no time, right?”

Brian’s eyes instantly softened at the mention of Jessi.

Since Madeline was Jessi’s protégé, he figured offering some guidance in her absence was only right. He took the documents and began reviewing them

page by page.

“What parts are you having trouble with?”

Madeline inched closer and pointed lightly.

“Here, and here. Oh, Mr. Atkinson, would you mind if I use my phone to take a picture? I’m afraid I’ll forget later,” she said, flashing a shy smile.

“Alright.”

Brian replied without even looking up. Such trivial matters never concerned him.

With her scheme succeeding, Madeline immediately snapped a photo at the perfect angle and posted it on social media, making sure only Jessica could

see it.

Meanwhile, Jessica was finally taking a rare day off at home. As she ate the healthy home–cooked meal Stella had lovingly prepared, she found it utterly

bland.

It simply wasn’t the same as Brian’s cooking.

One hand absentmindedly stirring her soup, Jessica casually opened the chat window with the other.

As soon as she refreshed, Madeline’s profile popped up.

It was a photo.

In that familiar office, golden sunlight streamed through the floor–to–ceiling windows, illuminating the man and woman leaning close together behind the desk. What a picture–perfect scene.

The caption read: [No wonder they say a man is most attractive when he’s focused on work–especially when he’s patient enough to teach you.]

“Hmph.” Jessica sneered, losing all appetite.

So she couldn’t get what she wanted from Jessica and went running to Brian. As always, she found the easy way out.

Noticing her daughter had pushed the bowl away, Stella asked gently, “Jessi, what’s wrong? Not enjoying the soup? Should I call Brian and have him bring you something else?”

“Don’t bother. Wouldn’t want to interrupt his new romance,” Jessica snapped without hesitation.

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Chapter 178

Pushing her chair back, she stood up abruptly,

“Mom, I’m tired. I’m going upstairs to rest.”

Watching her walk away, Stella frowned in concern. ‘What’s gotten into her this time?‘ she wondered.

That evening, Brian arrived as usual to deliver dinner to Jessica, but her usual car was nowhere in sight.

Frowning, he muttered, “Still working overtime?”

Then, he immediately pulled out his phone to check with his informant at the office. Upon learning that Jessica had the day off, he turned around and headed straight to Jessica’s place..

“Mrs. Grant, is Jessi home? How is she feeling today? Has she had dinner yet? I made a new soup; it tastes pretty nice. I was wondering if i could bring some for her to try.”

Brian maintained an extremely deferential attitude toward Stella.

Having observed his attentive care for her daughter lately, Stella felt a bit touched. At least she no longer turned him away at the door. Still, she didn’t invite him in.

“Yeah, she seems fine, though she barely touched her dinner. Wait a moment. I’ll go check with Jessi.”

“Got it, thank you,” Brian replied with obliging deference.

Stella nodded and went to inform Jessica.

She called softly, “Jessi, Brian is here. Would you like to see him?”

Jessica, busy finishing her manuscript, didn’t even look up.

“No. Tell him to get lost,” she snapped.