Chapter 132:

? ? ? ? ?

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.

further humiliate Alicia. Given Alicia and Joshua's bitter divorce, she thought he would take pleasure in her suffering. But instead, Joshua still harbored feelings for

plan had failed

of having been wronged. “I did it for you,” she whispered, her voice shaking with emotion. “I never wanted things to turn out this way. I'm upset too, Randolph. Why

men… at least their wives are by their side. And

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 fear of being

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

her completely sober. The thought of the Gray family's downfall

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

Her mind raced and she was already formulating a

Alicia. Maybe if he could make peace with her, another path would open

notice Caden's black

Rachel was little more than a temporary inconvenience in his

He raised his glass to Caden twice in

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

indignation. “And now I've fallen right

Joshua had struck the first blow, setting off the chain of events that led to Randolph's slow

dismantling his empire

change to me. But tell me, Mr. Gray, what

shaking hands, he reached into his coat

eager to fan the flames of Caden's well-known grudge against

rubbing his thumb across its surface. With a satisfied smile, I put the document away. Randolph, knowing the deal was sealed, exhaled deeply. A weight had finally been lifted

eat with ease, savoring each bite as if

eyes scanned the table and settled on Caden, who stood stock still, barely touching his plate. A

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

Rachel's frustration 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 mansion. With the Yates family involved, she was sure Alicia wouldn't ignore her in

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255