Chapter 153 Delayed Apologies And Belated…
“Have you ever noticed Mr. White’s concern about Rachel? When he learned about Holden’s intentions toward her, his reaction was nothing short of furious,” the young woman remarked, her voice tinged with an unexpected insight.
The elevator hummed quietly as her words lingered in the air, but her colleagues caught up in the usual buzz of office life, weren’t quite eager to engage in such speculation.
With a playful grin, one reached over and lightly tapped her forehead. “We can indulge in this conversation now, but don’t start spreading rumors when we get back to the office.”
Flustered, the young woman stuck out her tongue in mock defiance, her cheeks warming with embarrassment. “Alright, I’ll keep it to myself!” she replied, laughing to ease the tension.
The following day, Rachel was back at her desk, immersed in her work, when a soft knock interrupted her
focus.
Samira stepped into the office, her presence quiet but purposeful.
Assuming it was another routine delivery of paperwork, Rachel didn’t glance up. “Just leave the documents on the desk,” she instructed, her attention still fixed on her screen.
“Actually, Rachel, this one requires your signature,” Samira replied, holding out the file.
“Alright, let me see it.”
Rachel took the document, her eyes scanning its contents carefully before finally signing her name.
Samira was usually swift and efficient, disappearing as soon as her tasks were completed. But this time, she remained standing in the office, her demeanor hesitant.
Rachel glanced up, sensing the shift in her assistant’s demeanor. “Is there something else?” she asked.
Samira paused, her expression uncertain, before finally speaking. “Have you heard about what’s been happening at the company lately?”
“What do you mean?” Rachel asked, her brow furrowing.
She had been so consumed by her workload that the world outside her office seemed to blur. Her health was deteriorating, but she was determined to push through several high–priority projects, each tied to long–standing, reliable clients. Before stepping away, she wanted to see these initiatives through to completion or at least to a stable stopping point. It was a matter of principle, one she refused to compromise.
“It’s about… the termination of several female employees,” Samira explained, stressing the word female as if to trigger Rachel’s recollection.
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Chapter 153 Delayed Apologies And Belated Concerns
Rachel leaned her head against her hand, a faint crease forming between her brows as she tried to piece together fragmented memories. She vaguely recalled murmurs in the elevator about staff being let go, but it had barely registered. Workplace rumors rarely captured her attention, and she hadn’t felt compelled to investigate further.
“I remember hearing something about it. Why do you ask?” Rachel responded, her tone calm and matter–of-
fact.
Samira blinked in surprise, taken aback by Rachel’s apparent indifference. How could she remain so unshaken
by such news?
“Rachel, don’t you have any thoughts on this?” Samira pressed, her voice laced with concern.
Rachel tilted her head, genuinely confused. “Should I? It’s just a few dismissals, isn’t it? That’s HR’s domain. And let’s not forget that White Group’s compensation and benefits are among the best in the industry. Everyone here knows how privileged we are to work here, and firings have been almost unheard of lately. What exactly did they do to warrant this?”
Samira was momentarily speechless. She had assumed Rachel was more informed, but it was clear her knowledge was superficial at best. Rachel was aware of the dismissals but entirely unaware of the underlying
complexities.
Samira cleared her throat, her tone shifting to one of gravity. “The employees who were dismissed were the ones who crossed us that day. Juliet Mendez, in particular, I heard HR demanded half a million in damages from her. The company even involved the police, and she was escorted out immediately.”
She continued without hesitation, her words flowing urgently. “And Holden Ellsworth, he was stripped of his position on the board. Mr. White called an emergency meeting with all the executives and issued a clear warning; any future harassment or mistreatment would lead to instant dismissal.”
If Rachel hadn’t grasped the implication by now, she would have had to be remarkably oblivious. Besides, coincidences like this were rarely accidental.
For a moment, she felt a flicker of astonishment, even disbelief. But the feeling was transient, and her composure quickly returned. “Samira, I see what you’re getting at. Perhaps you’re right, but what does it disrespected, he takes it as a personal I change? This is just another example of his controlling nature. If I‘
affront to his pride and standing.”
She wanted to tell Brian it was unnecessary; after all, no one knew about their connection, and her humiliation that day would never hurt his reputation.
Samira, sensing Rachel’s conflict, pressed gently. “What if he did it because he cares about you?”
Rachel’s eyes drifted downward, her thoughts swirling, but she soon lifted her gaze, her expression comp and steady. “Perhaps. You might be right,” she acknowledged. “But even if that’s true, it’s too late now.”
Delayed apologies and belated concerns often ring hollow, losing their impact over time. It could have meant everything if Brian had trusted her and stood up for her when she needed him most. But now, the opportunity had slipped away, leaving his gestures empty and insignificant. Some moments, once gone, lose their power to heal or mend.
After Samira left, Rachel opened her chat with Brian and typed a simple message, “You really don’t need to do
that.”
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Chapter 153 Delayed Apologies And Belated Concerns
Brian immediately replied, “This is what I owe you. I should have defended you from the beginning”
Rachel’s response was quiet but firm, “But you missed that chance, so it doesn’t matter anymore.”
Brian’s next message appeared without delay, “I know it’s late and you won’t accept it, but I still want to make
amends.”
Rachel read his words, her fingers hovering over the keyboard, but she chose not to reply.
As the workday drew to a close and Rachel gathered her things to leave, her phone rang with a call from an unknown number. “Hello, Ms. Marsh, this is Sabrina Blakely. I hope you remember me.”
The name rang a bell instantly. Sabrina Blakely, the young woman who had defended Jeffrey during his interview. Of course, Rachel remembered her.
“Yes, I remember you,” Rachel replied, her voice curious but composed. “What can I do for you?”
Cutting straight to the point, Sabrina replied, “Concerning Juliet Mendez’s case, White Group has appointed me as your legal counsel to manage the case. I’m currently downstairs at your office. May I come up to speak with
you?”
Rachel glanced at the clock, considering the request. “Give me a moment; I’ll come down to meet you,” she said before hanging up.
“Alright,” Sabrina responded, her tone professional.
A few minutes later, Rachel met Sabrina downstairs. Sabrina immediately handed her a business card, her expression professional. “Ms. Marsh, here’s my card.”
Rachel took it with a brief glance, then paused for a second, a smile tugging at her lips. “It seems you’ve successfully joined Eric’s law firm?”
Sabrina nodded, her eyes sparkling with gratitude. “Yes, thanks to your support, I was able to secure such a great opportunity.”
Rachel waved off the compliment with a modest smile. “I did nothing. Your success is entirely your own. You
earned it.”
After a moment, Sabrina’s expression turned more serious. “We need to go to the police station to give a statement. It’s important to get everything on record.”
Rachel nodded, her expression thoughtful. “Of course. Let’s go.”
The ride to the police station was quiet but purposeful. As they entered the building, Rachel’s steps slowed. There, in the lobby, stood Brian.
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