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.

Alicia and Joshua's bitter divorce, she thought he would take pleasure in her suffering. But instead, Joshua still harbored feelings for Alicia, and his anger turned on Randolph, avenging

had

of having been wronged. “I did it for you,” she whispered, her voice shaking

least their

poor, but in recent years their fortune had dwindled. The stability they enjoyed had crumbled like loose stones. Without the safety net of a powerful alliance, she lived in constant

condescending glance, trying to maintain her composure. But tonight, something inside her snapped, and she couldn't take it anymore. She ran from the room, covering her face with trembling hands, but her burst of impulsive courage vanished

the hotel, the cold, biting wind blew through her, leaving her completely sober. The thought of the Gray family's downfall filled her with dread. The judgment of these high society women, these

so long, she had basked in the glow of attention, smiling despite the sting of his snide remarks. Losing her dignity now would be unbearable, it would be like stripping away the fabric that held her together.

burying her grievances deep within. Her mind raced

of Alicia. Maybe if he could make peace with her, another

cab, she didn't notice Caden's

more than a temporary inconvenience in his world. With a disdainful look, he continued

He

toast, it was a plea for help, a last hold on what dignity he had left. Then, with bitter venom in his voice, Randolph

so much then,” Randolph snapped, his eyes shining with indignation. “And now I've fallen right into his trap! “I never

took a slow, measured sip of his wine, remaining impassive. Joshua had struck the first blow, setting off the

death blow to Randolph's finances, quietly dismantling his empire from within. Randolph had no idea who was the real mastermind behind his downfall, and he still believed Joshua was to blame

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

bright with despair, bloodshot from sleepless nights and endless scheming. With shaking hands, he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a worn document, its edges slightly frayed. I have passed it across the table to

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.

his thumb across its surface. With a satisfied smile, I put the document

in days, he was able to eat with ease, savoring each bite

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,

softly, a mischievous smile curling the corners of his lips. “I’m saving my appetite for something

grew as she repeatedly dialed Alicia's number, only to have the calls go unanswered. Determined, she set her jaw and took a cab straight to the Yates