Chapter 194 Brian’s Tricks
Brian’s mind was weighed down with too many concerns.
Tracy, Doris… and who knew how many more in the future.
“I won’t deny it–when I was younger, I had feelings for Tracy,” said Brian.
Rachel felt a pang in her chest at his words.
She had always known, deep down. But hearing him say it out loud–it was something else entirely.
“But those feelings have long faded. What I have for her now is more like pity.”
Rachel said nothing, choosing to listen in silence.
Even if it was only pity, it was enough to make things messy.
As long as Tracy still mattered to him, there would always be complications between them.
It was a problem with no real solution–unless either she or Tracy chose to step away.
A few days later, when Brian stopped by again, he found out Rachel had already been discharged.
He heard about it from the nurses.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were leaving the hospital?” Brian called Rachel right away.
“You’ve had a lot on your plate. I didn’t want to trouble you with my matters.”
“How are you feeling? Is your recovery going well?”
“I’m doing well. I should be back at work in a few days.”
A brief silence stretched between them before Brian finally asked, “How have you been handling meals? You’re still recovering, so takeout isn’t a good idea. Maybe I should…”
Before he could finish, Rachel cut in, “Yvonne said she’d be staying with me for a few days to help out.”
Brian’s brows furrowed instantly. “Yvonne? From what I remember, she’s never had to lift a finger for anything. Are you sure she can handle taking care of you?”
“That was before. She’s learned to cook pretty well now, and I trust her.”
Brian was momentarily at a loss for words.
Then, a thought crossed his mind. “Norton’s returning from his business trip soon. Yvonne might have to take care of him instead.”
“Oh? Is that so?” Rachel raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised.
She was glad Yvonne was willing to help, but the last thing she wanted wee
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Chapter 194 Brian’s Tricks
Norton.
“Why don’t I…”
Once again, Rachel didn’t let him finish. “Samira mentioned that she could come take care of me too,” she said. calmly.
“I see,” Brian replied before hanging up. His tone was flat, but it was clear his mood had soured.
However, the very next moment, he called the design department, and just like that, Samira was assigned to a project she couldn’t turn down.
Not only was it far away, but it would also keep her busy for an entire month.
When Samira called to tell Rachel about it, Rachel immediately had a feeling Brian was behind it.
“Rachel, I’ll go refuse right now. Don’t worry, I’ll stay with you,” Samira assured her.
Samira had been by Rachel’s side as her assistant for years. She was a loyal friend.
Rachel understood that, despite how unexpected the assignment was, it was an incredible opportunity for Samira. The project itself was solid, and the bonus made it even more worthwhile. If Samira successfully completed the project, she’d be in a prime position for a well–earned promotion–one that Rachel could grant without anyone questioning it.
“Don’t turn it down–you should take it,” Rachel decided without hesitation.
Samira blinked in surprise. “But what about you? And Jeffrey?”
“I’ll be fine. Yvonne’s going to look after me.”
After weighing the situation, Rachel laid it all out for her, and Samira eventually agreed to take on the assignment.
“Alright. I’ll be looking forward to your return.”
Once Samira’s situation was handled, Brian picked up his phone and called Norton.
Around the same time, Yvonne called Rachel. “Rachel, I’m at the supermarket. Do you want anything in particular? I’ll buy it now and cook for you tomorrow.”
Rachel hesitated for a moment before saying, “If Norton’s coming back soon, you should be with him. I’ll manage on my own.”
Norton still hadn’t given Yvonne the green light to work, and the two were still locked in negotiations over it.
Yvonne had worked hard to get this far, and Rachel didn’t want to be the reason all her friend’s efforts went to waste.
The last thing Rachel wanted was to interfere with their relationship.
Yvonne froze, caught off guard. “Norton’s coming back? Why didn’t I hear about this?”
“Wait, what?”
“Who told you that?”
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“Brian did.”
“That doesn’t sound right. He left just four days ago, and I heard his trip was supposed to last seven days. That
means he’s got three more to go.”
Rachel’s expression shifted as she processed the realization.
So Brian had lied.
As they talked, Yvonne’s phone kept buzzing with incoming calls.
The first one was from Norton. She let it ring.
The second? Also Norton. She ignored that one too.
Then came the third…
“Rachel, I have to go. I need to take another call,” Yvonne said, exhaling sharply.
Seeing Norton’s name flash across the screen again, she cursed him in her head. Seriously? Couldn’t she have a moment of peace? It was infuriating.
S
But she still had things she needed his approval for, so as much as she wanted to ignore him, she didn’t dare push her luck.
P
O
By the time his fifth call came in, Yvonne sighed, forced a perfect smile, and answered in the sweetest tone possible, “Hey, darling…”
Her voice was so sugary that even she herself could barely stand it.
On the other end, Norton’s mood seemed pleasant. “What were you doing? Why didn’t you answer sooner?”
“Oh, I was washing my face and forgot my phone in the other room,” she lied effortlessly. Norton wasn’t here to fact–check, after all.
“Then why is there so much noise? It sounds pretty loud.”
Yvonne didn’t even blink. “Oh, that? I’m watching TV. It’s just the TV.”
“Alright,” Norton replied simply.
Relieved, Yvonne was just about to hang up when his voice cut through. “I have news for you. My flight lands tomorrow night.”
Her fingers tightened around the phone, her whole body going rigid.
Did he really think this was good news? Was he serious?
“Why aren’t you saying anything? Are you too happy to speak?” Norton teased.
Yvonne didn’t know what to say. Happy? What was there to be happy about? This was a nightmare.
Even if she hadn’t planned on helping Rachel, she had been looking forward to a few peaceful days to herself.
With Norton around, she had barely had a moment to breathe. She was constantly catering to his demands just to win his approval for working outside.
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It was exhausting. Humiliating, even.
Now that he was finally away on a business trip, she had been savoring her freedom. But before she could fully
enjoy it, he was already coming back?
With a smile that looked more heartbreaking than actual tears, Yvonne asked, “Didn’t you say the project was
complicated and would take at least a week? Why are you back so soon?”
“Things went unexpectedly well,” he replied casually.
Hearing that, Yvonne was at a loss for words.
“Be at the airport to pick me up tomorrow. See you then,” Norton added before hanging up, leaving her staring at her phone in disbelief.
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