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.

Given 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 failed

“I did it for you,” she whispered, her voice

in disdain. “You're useless. All those other men… at least their wives are by their side. And what

been slapped by invisible hands. Her family was not 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,

snapped, and she couldn't take it anymore. She ran

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,

snide remarks. Losing her dignity now would be unbearable, it would be like stripping away the fabric that held her

mind raced and she was already formulating a plan to help Randolph out

Maybe if he could make

she hailed a cab, she didn't notice Caden's black car pulling into the hotel's

glimpsed her departure, but felt no pity: Rachel was little more than a temporary

in the air like thick smoke. He raised his

wasn't just a toast, it was a plea for help, a last hold on what dignity he had left. Then, with

helped him so much then,” Randolph snapped, his eyes shining with indignation. “And now

impassive. Joshua had struck the first blow,

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

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

shaking hands, he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a worn document, its edges slightly frayed. I have passed

leaned in, eager to fan the flames of Caden's well-known grudge against Joshua. “Mr. “Ward, use it as

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

with ease, savoring each bite as if it were the first proper

stock still, barely touching his plate. A flash of curiosity crossed Randolph's mind. “Mr. Ward,” he asked, frowning

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

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