The unwanted wife’s unexpected comeback

Chapter 132:

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But Rachel still feared Caden deeply, a weight she couldn't easily shake off. Joshua was despicable, but Caden… he was a different kind of ruthless. If she and Randolph were caught up in one of their schemes, the path forward would be nothing short of treacherous.

“Randolph, can’t we find another way?” she pleaded, gripping his arm tightly, her voice shaking with despair. “This deal… isn’t worth the risk we’re taking.”

Randolph’s expression darkened, his patience wearing thin. Her tearful pleas grated on his nerves and he couldn't help but lash out at her. “You have no say in this matter!”

The next instant, he slapped Rachel, knocking her off her chair. She fell to the floor with a thud, a muffled moan escaping her lips.

Her side ached, but she suppressed any sound, knowing she shouldn't scream. Embarrassment burned her cheeks as she slowly stood up, thankful there was no one else in the private room to witness her humiliation.

He slowly sat back in his chair, his gaze cast down, his spirits crushed. He had long since grown accustomed to submission, and with such serious matters at hand he dared not provoke Randolph any further.

Yet as she sat silently, he continued to berate her. “This is all your fault!” I have barked.

Rachel's chest tightened. How could she blame her?

“My fault?” she repeated incredulously, her voice a mixture of pain and disbelief. “I didn't do anything.”

Randolph's taunt cut through her like a knife. "If you hadn't fought with Alicia, none of this would have gotten out of hand."

“Randolph!” Rachel's voice rose with a spark of defiance, her frustration boiling over. “It was you who said you couldn't stand Alicia and wanted to teach her a lesson! I tried to stop you, but you wouldn't listen. Now that things have exploded, you're blaming me.”

“I told you to teach him a lesson, yes,” Randolph growled, eyes narrowed. “But why did you have to involve Joshua?”

Rachel's gaze wavered, flickering with guilt.

would further humiliate Alicia. Given Alicia and Joshua's bitter divorce, she thought he would take pleasure in

plan had

for you,” she whispered, her voice shaking with emotion. “I never wanted things to turn

“You're useless. All those other men… at least their wives

fortune had dwindled. The stability they enjoyed had crumbled like loose stones. Without the safety net

it anymore. She ran from the room, covering her face with trembling hands, but her burst

thought of the Gray family's downfall filled her with dread. The judgment of these high society women, these

his snide remarks. Losing her dignity now would be unbearable, it would be like stripping away the fabric that held her together. Without

back, burying her grievances deep within. Her mind

because of Alicia. Maybe if he could

didn't notice

pity: Rachel was little more than a temporary

room, Randolph's frustration hung in the air like thick smoke. He raised his glass to Caden twice in a row, his shaking hands

a last hold on what dignity he had left. Then, with bitter venom in his voice,

snapped, his eyes shining with indignation. “And now I've fallen right into his trap! “I never thought he’d turn on me

Joshua had struck the first blow, setting off the chain

quietly dismantling his empire from within. Randolph had no idea who was the real mastermind

down his glass. “That's chump change to me. But tell me, Mr. Gray,

hands, he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a worn document, its edges slightly

Randolph said, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. He leaned in, eager to fan the flames of Caden's well-known grudge against Joshua. “Mr. “Ward, use it as

I put the document away. Randolph, knowing the deal

eat with ease, savoring each bite as if it were the first proper meal he had had in an

scanned the table and settled on Caden, who stood stock still, barely touching his plate. A flash of curiosity crossed Randolph's mind. “Mr. Ward,” he asked, frowning slightly, “don’t you like the

corners of his lips. “I’m saving my

and took a cab straight to the Yates mansion.