“No, it’s okay. Go ahead.”

Louisa said with a stern face. Seeing his wife’s unusual expression, Edward decided not to say more.

“Alright. Sit and rest or go out for some fresh air. I’ll be back soon. Eat if you’re hungry.”

He left Louisa behind and followed Jeffrey out. As he was about to leave the lab, he paused to look back but then continued, closing the door behind him.

As soon as they were out, Jeffrey grabbed the president’s wrist and dragged him along.

“What are you doing? Let go.”

Jeffrey stopped when he was sure they were out of earshot and lowered his voice.

“Mr. President!”

“Let go, I said.”

Jeffrey immediately released his hand, spreading his fingers and dropping it as if throwing it away.
Edward’s eyebrows furrowed in displeasure at Jeffrey’s behavior.

“Spit it out in three seconds, or I’m going back in.”

“Mr. President, why are you treating Mrs. Allen like that? You said you didn’t want a divorce!”

Edward sighed deeply and leaned his head back.

“Is it about interrupting Louisa?”

“Not just that. There’s no need to be so dismissive and outright reject everything she says! Do you have any idea how hurtful that is?”

Jeffrey pounded his chest as he spoke.

“I’ve been through it, it’s really tough. And saying ‘it’s my company, don’t say anything’? I would file for divorce too, honestly.”

Edward, hearing this, wiped his face with his hands.

He was about to take out a cigar case from his jacket but, remembering he was with his wife, he pushed it back into his pocket.

“That’s why I didn’t want to bring her here.”

Jeffrey remained silent, waiting for Edward’s explanation.

“She’s the kind of woman who isn’t satisfied unless she’s involved in everything she can be. She doesn’t consider why I work so hard, and unnecessarily takes on burdens no one else wants.”

Jeffrey frowned at Edward’s story, his disbelief evident.

“So, you mean you did that because you don’t want her to overdo it?”

“Sure, involving Louisa might make things easier. But I never again want to rely on my wife like that, or impose responsibilities on her.”

“Oh, my goodness. Mr. President.”

What are you doing, saying such things!

Jeffrey was nearly at his wit’s end.

“Just go and tell her that honestly.”

However, Edward’s response was a twisted smile.

“What should I say? That I remember the times when I couldn’t live without relying on you? That my worthless origins and incompetence keep haunting me, making me feel like I’m going insane, so please stop doing all this?”

His words were steeped in self-contempt.

Although his tone was calm, the emotions embedded within were not.

He breathed heavily, his eyes bloodshot.

“I can’t ever say those things. Even if I did, my wife wouldn’t understand.”

She’s always proud, unashamed of herself, and that’s why she shines.

She would never understand the guilt and inferiority complex of someone like him.

After venting his pent-up anguish, Edward’s gaze fell emptily into space.

Jeffrey, who had been with him since those early days, knew. He kept silent for a long time, staring at Edward’s feet.

After a long silence, he finally spoke.

“Let’s go back inside.”

As a young man who had comforted him with boldness and passion, Jeffrey almost reached out to touch his lonely-looking back but withdrew his hand into his pocket instead.