Chapter 20 Taking Jeffrey
Home
Rachel followed the maid down to the basement.
Upon discovering that Jeffrey had been locked in there, she was seething with anger.
With a forceful kick, she burst through the door and entered.
“Jeffrey?” she called out, scanning the room but finding no sign of him.
Eventually, she spotted him hidden under a heap of discarded items.
The sight of his pale, frightened face and wide, scared eyes intensified her fury.
“It’s me, Jeffrey. You’re safe now,” she reassured him as she enveloped him in a comforting embrace.
In the dim basement light, Jeffrey recognized her and clung to her, his tears flowing freely and soaking through her clothes.
“Don’t worry, Jeffrey. You’re not alone anymore,” she reassured him. “We’ll leave this place soon, okay?”
He nodded eagerly, his face breaking into a relieved smile.
“Alright, dry those tears. We’re heading home,” Rachel coaxed.
“Okay,” he murmured.
Hand in hand, they walked back up to the living room.
Once there, Rachel said to Moira, “Jeffrey is coming with me.”
“What did you just say?” Moira gasped, leaping from the couch. “Rachel, have you lost your mind? Jeffrey is nothing but trouble. Do you really think Brian will marry you if you’re saddled with such a burden? Will the White family ever accept you? Go ahead, ruin your own life, but leave the Marsh family out of it.”
Rachel’s gaze was cold as she retorted, “I’ve warned you about using ‘burden‘ to
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describe him, And I mean it–Jeffrey is coming with me today, no matter what.”
Had her father and Moira not clung so stubbornly to Jeffrey’s custody, Rachel would
have rescued him much earlier.
It was only after her family discovered her impending marriage to Brian and repeatedly assured her of their good intentions towards Jeffrey that she allowed herself a sliver of
comfort.
Yet, she was caught off guard by Moira’s cruel treatment of Jeffrey, her deceit now
clear.
With this realization, Rachel felt no reason to restrain herself.
Her expression chilling, she addressed Moira directly, saying, “I need to leave with Jeffrey today. Moira, we can settle the issue of him being locked in the basement later.”
Her immediate concern was to get Jeffrey out and soothe his nerves.
She would have confronted the issue head–on otherwise.
Moira, however, was not about to let them walk away without a fight.
She ordered sharply, “Block her way. She cannot take Jeffrey with her.”
Jeffrey, hearing Moira’s commanding tone, was petrified.
He shrank back, seeking refuge behind Rachel.
Rachel felt his fear and realized he was deeply troubled.
She gently asked, “What happened today, Jeffrey? Tell me everything, and I’ll protect
you.”
Overwhelmed, Jeffrey finally let his emotions spill.
“She… she…” he stuttered, pointing at Moira, his expression aggrieved. “Bad… she accused me… I didn’t take… her things.”
Grasping the situation quickly, Rachel confronted Moira with a steely look. “I’m warning you, Moira. My brother would never steal from you. Make another false claim, and I’ll involve the police.”
Attempting to diffuse the tension, she offered a weak smile and said apologetically, “Perhaps I was mistaken. But you must understand, taking Jeffrey with you could jeopardize your marriage to Brian.”
Chapter 20 Taking Jeffrey Home
Rachel gave a derisive laugh.
To them, it seemed, wealth and advantage were all that mattered.
Their primary concern was securing a profitable union with the Whites, fearing the marriage might fail and leave them empty–handed.
They didn’t realize Rachel wasn’t one to be underestimated.
“Come on, Jeffrey,” she said, clasping his hand as they started to leave.
Moira’s expression darkened as she shouted, “Block their exit!”
Instantly, several maids encircled them.
“Go ahead, try to stop us,” Rachel exclaimed, shielding Jeffrey with her body and radiating defiance.
Her chilling gaze caused the maids to falter, unsure whether to advance.
“Useless! Why are you just standing around? Grab them,” Moira ordered.
Just then, there was a loud crash.
Rachel had smashed a vase on the floor, its shards scattering everywhere.
With a chilling smirk, she warned, “Unless you want your cherished possessions destroyed, let us pass now.”
Moira scoffed, doubting Rachel’s resolve.
Rachel meant what she said.
She tipped over a decorative piece.
Clutched in her right hand was the a cherished jade sculpture, a legacy from her father Thorpe Marsh.
“Shall we continue?” Rachel challenged.
Moira’s hands tightened into fists, her resolve wavering. After a tense moment, she conceded. “Alright, take him–but be careful with those.”
Rachel stayed vigilant, setting the sculpture down cautiously only after they were safely in the car.
Knowing Moira’s character, it was prudent to assume she might retract her permission
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Chapter 20 Taking Jeffrey Home
at any moment.
As they traveled, Jeffrey dozed off, resting against Rachel.
His eyelids were shut, his long lashes casting delicate shadows. Rachel marveled at his striking features.
Without his autism, he might have been quite the charmer.
During the drive, Brian’s call came through.
Rachel chose to ignore it, disconnecting the
all.
Frustrated, Brian then contacted the driver. “Tell Rachel to pick up.”
Reluctantly, Rachel held the phone to her ear, silent at first.
“Is Jeffrey alright? Should I come?” Brian’s voice broke the silence.
“There’s no need for that, Brian. You better stay with Tracy. She’s fragile, and any harm might break your heart,” Rachel answered sharply.
“Must you talk to me like this?” Brian’s annoyance was evident.
He had been making efforts to appease her recently, yet she remained cold and
unyielding.
“Apologies, but I need to go if you have nothing more to say,” Rachel said, ready to end
the conversation.
“Wait-” Brian started, but she had already hung up.
Upon arrival, Rachel couldn’t lift Jeffrey herself, so she gently nudged him awake. “Jeffrey, we’re home now. Wake up.”
Despite her calls, Jeffrey did not stir, remaining deeply asleep.
Panic set in for Rachel.
Her voice shook as she shook him more urgently, crying out, “Jeffrey, please wake up! Don’t do this to me! Jeffrey…”
Still, he did not wake up.
For a moment, Rachel froze, shock overtaking her.
Regaining her composure, she cried out in desperation, “We need to get him to the
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hospital, now!”
