Chapter 135 Does My
Return Not Make You…
Rachel sighed. What a strange twist of fate to meet Andres here.
Elwood Craig, the director, surveyed the office disarray, struggling to stay composed. His expression turned cold as he inquired sternly, “What happened here?”
He had been excited to host Andres from Synergy Group today but was mortified by the untimely debacle unfolding before their esteemed visitor.
Right after Elwood spoke, he recognized Holden among the crowd. Despite being a board member who rarely visited, Holden wielded considerable influence due to his shareholding.
With due deference, Elwood approached him. “Good day, Mr. Ellsworth. To what do we owe the pleasure of
your visit?”
“Is my presence a problem?” Holden retorted, pointing towards Rachel. “She has caused an offense. It’s perfect timing for you to call HR and dismiss her.”
Elwood responded with a polite smile, “Mr. Ellsworth, she doesn’t work under my supervision. Our company’s policies restrict me from terminating employees outside my department.”
“Is that so? Well, if you can’t handle it, then I suppose I must…”
Holden’s rant was cut short by a firm, authoritative voice. “It’s widely acknowledged that the White Group runs a tight ship. I’m surprised to see a board member trying to terminate employees on a whim. Does your company always operate like this?”
“Who might you be?” Holden asked, visibly irritated by the interruption.
Elwood explained, “Mr. Ellsworth, allow me to introduce Mr. Andres Garrett from Synergy Group.”
Upon hearing the reference to Synergy Group, Holden’s demeanor softened.
Andres ignored Holden and approached Rachel directly.
“Are you able to stand?” Andres asked gently, offering his hand.
Rachel accepted his assistance with a nod.
Andres helped her to her feet with a strong, steady pull.
His pull was so forceful that Rachel, unsteady on her feet, leaned into him inadvertently.
He caught her in time to prevent a fall.
“Thank you, Mr. Garrett.” Rachel expressed her gratitude, surprised to encounter him in such a setting.
apter
My
They had only communicated online since she joined the Synergy Group project. Rachel thought he was based
in Amberfield.
“Why do you have blood on your face?” Andres inquired, his voice deepening as he noticed the injury.
If he had seen the wound from a better angle, he would have stepped in sooner.
“I ran into something by accident.”
“Are you feeling dizzy, or is there any other discomfort?” His soothing voice was a perfect complement to his
looks.
“I’m fine for now.” She assured him.
“Let’s get you checked out just to be safe.”
Rachel was hesitant to accept, feeling it was too much trouble for someone she barely knew, but Andres effortlessly lifted her, arranging her arm around his neck for support.
Rachel was lost in thought for a full minute. Andres was carrying her? This unexpected turn of events took her completely by surprise.
It wasn’t until the elevator dinged upon arriving at their floor that Rachel came back to her senses.
While being transported in the cramped elevator, she finally said, “Mr. Garrett, I appreciate your help, but I’m
capable of walking.”
“I’ll set you down as soon as we exit the elevator,” Andres promptly responded, showing his understanding.
His easygoing nature made it truly comfortable to interact with him, as it imposed no pressure at all.
“Please allow me to escort you to the hospital at least,” he suggested gently.
This time, Rachel didn’t decline his offer. She urgently needed medical attention. The injury to her face was bleeding, and the severity of the wound was unclear. As someone who valued her appearance, she dreaded the possibility of scars.
Now, as her life was slipping away, she still hoped for a graceful exit, not one marred by the clinical sterility of hospital equipment.
As they drove, Andres caught a glimpse of Rachel’s injury and immediately asked the driver, “Do we have a
first aid kit in the car?”
“Yes, we do,” the driver responded, promptly passing the kit to Andres.
Andres opened the kit, saying, “Let me take a look at that wound. It seems to be bleeding quite a bit.”
“That’s very kind of you,” Rachel responded, grateful yet apprehensive.
Expecting a quick fix, she was surprised by the thoroughness and gentleness of his treatment, which made the ordeal almost bearable.
Once finished, she expressed her gratitude. “Mr. Garrett, you always seem to be around when I need help. Thank you so much.”
Andres offered a smile in return. “Perhaps it’s fate that brings us together so often.”
Rachel acknowledged the connection between them. Their paths seemed inevitably intertwined. This connection was the only reason she managed to secure the collaboration with Synergy Group,
Andres departed after ensuring Rachel was safely at the hospital.
“Mr. Garrett, your assistance today was invaluable. I’d love to repay your kindness with a dinner sometime,” Rachel said gratefully.
Andres accepted with a slight nod. “I would enjoy that.”
“Let’s plan it soon then,” she replied.
“Agreed.”
After the treatment, Samira appeared by Rachel’s side, visibly concerned. “How’s the injury?”
Rachel reassured her. “The doctor gave me some meds and told me to keep the wound dry. Hopefully, no scars
will form.”
Relief washed over Samira. Then, her expression turned grave. “Rachel, there’s trouble brewing Juliet and some others are plotting against you. They planned to speak ill of you before Mr. While.”
“About what?” Rachel’s surprise was evident.
“They’re accusing you of causing chaos and attacking a colleague. They want you dismissed,” Samira explained with unsettling calm.
Previously, such news would’ve unsettled Rachel, but she remained stoic. “And they intend to report this to…”
“To Mr. Brian White, undoubtedly. I’m eager to see his reaction. If he discovers the bullying, he’ll surely defend you. What goes around comes around,” Samira said, her gaze lifting with assurance.
Rachel simply nodded in acknowledgment.
Upon arriving home, her phone rang with Brian on the line.
“What have you been up to today?”
“Just handling some work–related issues,” Rachel responded, her tone nonchalant. She paused, choosing not to
share the day’s events.
As Brian listened, he gripped his phone harder, the veins in his hand standing out starkly.
Previously, she would have eagerly sent him photos, asking for his opinion on new outfits or playfully modeling
for him.
Now, silence hung between them, thick with the unspoken–neither the incident with Tracy nor today’s upheaval were mentioned.
Brian felt an oppressive tightness in his chest, like a noose slowly being drawn tighter.
“I’ll be cutting my business trip short. I should be back in a few days.” Brian finally broke the silence, shifting the conversation away.
“Okay,” Rachel responded, her voice carrying a lightness that bordered indifference, devoid of the warmth it
once held.
22.15
Brian felt a tightness in his chest. Her tone was indifferent, akin to someone hearing a mundane weather update, lacking any trace of excitement.
Previously, news of his return would have delighted her; now, joy was conspicuously absent.
His brows knitted together, a sign of his growing tension. “Does my return not make you happy?” he inquired, his voice betraying his displeasure.
