They Want Me Back When It's Too Late (Jessica and Brian) novel Chapter 83

Chapter 83

Chapter 83

“Mr Mr. Atkinson” Janice nearly jumped out of her skin

Without warning, Brian frowned, his expression edged with impatience, as he repeated. “Are you pregnant?”

He had never been known for patience. He particularly despised sluggish responses, having to reiterate simple questions grated on him,

Janice almost shed tears. Her hand slipped against the wall, barely catching herself “Yes, Mr. Atkinson, L… I’m pregnant, but I swear it won’t affect my work, I promise I’ll meet every standard the company requires and deliver everything on time.”

She had worked hard to secure her place at Mkinson Group, if Brian fired her…

Brian studied her pale face and weak posture. The sharpness in his gare softened slightly.

He thought back to Jessica’s first pregnancy. That was right after he took over as CEO. At that time, the board gave him no peace, and project deadlines piled up endlessly. He had barely had time to be there for her.

All he knew was that she had a bad appetite during early pregnancy. Back then, his sole “comfort” had been threatening the baby in her belly to “behave.”

Now, regret washed over Brian. He had failed to provide even basic companionship throughout Jessica’s first pregnancy. It had been unexpected. Neither of them had prepared.

Yet once the morning sickness passed, Jessica had adapted swiftly, even returning to assist him in company attir

As these thoughts passed through his mind, the usual coldness in Brian’s eyes dimmed. He stared at Janice’s abdomen as if seeing Jessica reflected there. “Morning sickness is brutal, isn’t it?”

“Huh?” Janice froze. She thought, ‘Mr. Atkinson is asking me? Why is he looking at me like this? Like the baby inside me is somehow his. It’s so weird.

Noticing Janice’s bewildered expression, Brian snapped back to reality. “Come with me,” he commanded, turning without waiting for her response.

Janice followed, utterly confused. She wasn’t foolish enough to think Brian had taken a sudden interest in her. She thought, Why is he suddenly curious about pregnancy symptoms? Jessica was gone. So… Could it be that Madeline got pregnant?‘

Janice was shocked, thinking she had accidentally stumbled upon some explosive secret.

Brian led her to the floor’s reception lounge.

Janice hesitated, “Mr. Atkinson, you…”

“Tell me about your physical discomforts and emotional changes during pregnancy Brian got straight to the point, taking a seat.

Though internally reeling. Janice launched into descriptions of nausea–how even the faintest whiff of meat made her queasy, yet she inexplicably craved it.

Brianistered intently, gesturing. “Take a seat

–

“Yes, Mr. Atkinson.” Janice sat down. As she spoke her initial nervousness faded. She grew animated, describing her pregnancy quirks.

“Emotionally, the hormones made me ridiculously sensitive and paranoid–downright unreasonable at times. I’ve made my husband cry twice,” Janice chuckled sheepishly. It wasn’t like she meant to make trouble. It was just something she couldn’t control.

Brian remained mostly silent, his pensive expression deepening. So last, in fact, that he forgot he was supposed to be in a meeting

In the conference room, though everyone knew Brian had never been late before, no one dared call him,

Chapter 83

An hour later, Jackson, the executive assistant, Enally stepped out to call Briain.

The call reminded Bulan of the meeting. Before leaving, he asked Janice for her contact information, just in case he had any questions.

Flustered, Janice saved Brian’s number. She couldn’t believe that she had the president’s personal WhatsApp.

Brian entered the conference room. His commanding presence silenced any questions about the delay

After the meeting, he summoned Jackson “Set a few informants Inside Grant Group, I need…”

Jackson’s eyes widened in shock. He thought Brian was crazy, Corporate espionage was a crime.

His horrified expression cut Brian off. Brian gave him a cold look, sensing the misunderstanding “I want some people to monitor Jessica’s schedules and report on her health status.”

Relieved, Jackson regained his composure. That task was manageable.

“Has the security I asked you to contact earlier been ready?” Brian asked.

Jackson replied, “I’ve already hired two retired bodyguards to discreetly protect Mrs. Atkinson.”

Brian nodded. With that settled, Jackson left to handle the tasks.

Brian picked up his phone and sent a message to Janice. How to keep a pregnant woman happy?|

Back at the publicity department, Janice had just returned to her desk and was working when her phone buzzed. It was a message from Brian

Janice glanced around furtively before checking the message

Seeing his question, she thought, ‘If it were me, the answer would be simple–quitting work, lounging on the sofa watching videos, sleeping in as late as wanted, preferably with my husband accompanying me. But since this was presumably about Madeline…

Janice mentally switched perspectives and replied cautiously: Perhaps the company of her loved one? Or attending events together?)