Chapter 233 Tell Me The Truth
Upon hearing the voices, a man and a woman stepped inside.
They halted, exchanged a brief glance, then moved to help Rachel up.
“Don’t worry, I’m fine!” Rachel said, worrying that Wilson would run out of patience.
“No need to rush. Mr. Carpenter is still with Mr. White, so you’ve got time.” The man said. “Besides, you look like you might drop dead any second. Wouldn’t want that happening before we even get there. Take a breather.”
Rachel exhaled shakily, unable to argue. As much as she wanted to push forward, her body had its limits.
She sank into a chair, overwhelming by pain and exhaustion.
A moment later, the woman approached and held out a bottle of water.
Rachel blinked at it, skeptical. “This is for me?”
Given how cold the woman had been before, she hesitated to take it.
The woman scoffed and tossed it onto her lap. “Just drink it. Stop overthinking everything.”
“Thanks!”
Rachel rasped before eagerly downing the water, finishing most of it in a single gulp. The woman crossed her arms. “Look, we’re both women. I’m not that heartless.” “Plenty of people tried to cozy up to Miss Carpenter for their own selfish reasons. I figured you were just another one of them.” Her gaze softened slightly. “But I guess you proved me wrong. You actually care about her. So… I won’t hold it against you anymore.”
Rachel gave a faint nod.
From the start, she could tell this stern–faced woman genuinely cared about Natalia.
Chapter 233 Tell Me The Truth
“I know words alone won’t convince you,” she said, meeting the woman’s gaze. “But time reveals everything. Natalia trusts me, and I won’t let her down.”
A flicker of hesitation crossed the woman’s face, her expression softening just a little.
She glanced at Rachel’s half–buttoned clothes. “Need help?”
“Thanks.”
With the women’s assistance, Rachel finally managed to get dressed, though every movement sent a fresh wave of searing pain through her back.
The fabric scraped against her wounds like fire, each shift unbearable.
The woman muttered the name of a medicine and advised, “Once you leave, head to a pharmacy and buy this. It works fast on wounds like yours.”
“Okay, thanks!”
The woman’s tone turned sharp again. “One more thing–don’t breathe a word of what happened today To Miss Carpenter. If you do…
11
Her voice dropped, cold and firm. “Forget Mr. Carpenter–even I won’t let
you off.
“1
Rachel met her gaze without flinching. “I understand. Natalia’s kind and innocent. Just like you, I want to protect her.” She exhaled slowly. “I know what to say–and what not
to.”
“Good, Get some rest.”
An hour passed. Rachel dozed off without meaning to and eventually drifted into deep
sleep,
By the time she woke, her wounds still throbbed viciously, but at least her strength had returned enough to stand.
Just then, the door creaked open.
The man stepped inside, this time alone. “Come on. Mr. Carpenter’s waiting.”
“Okay.”
Rachel’s voice came out hoarse, barely above a whisper.
She followed the man, her steps slow and unsteady. They walked for about ten minutes before turning a corner.
Chapter 233 Tell Me The Truth
Just then, she collided with something–solid and warm, like a thick wall. But when she looked up, her breath caught.
It wasn’t a wall. It was Brian.
A cold chill spread through her veins, freezing her in place. Her mind went blank, and
for a second, she couldn’t move.
“Sorry!”
The word shot out in a panic as she tried to slip past him, acting as though she hadn’t
seen him at all.
However, before she could take another step, his hand closed around hers. His grip was firm, unyielding–there was no breaking free.
His tall frame loomed in front of her, cutting off her path completely, and when he spoke, his voice wrapped around her like a vice.
“Not even a hello?” His tone carried a sharp edge, irritation clear in every syllable.
They might have broken up, but he was still her superior.
Ignoring him so blatantly? Unacceptable.
Rachel’s palms dampened with sweat, her back burning with fresh pain.
She forced herself to keep her voice steady as she lifted her gaze. “Mr. White, I remembered you said you wouldn’t bother me anymore.”
“But a polite greeting is still basic courtesy, isn’t it?” He held her gaze, his voice cool. “After all, I’m still your boss.”
This was something Rachel couldn’t argue with. It was the truth.
Still, all she wanted was to get away from him as soon as possible, so she didn’t push back. Instead, she forced a pleasant tone and greeted him with a smile.
She hoped that would be enough for him to let her go.
But his grip didn’t loosen.
“Mr. White, you’re hurting me. Could you let go?” Rachel’s voice remained calm, but there was a sharpness in her words.
Brian frowned as if he hadn’t heard her, his hold tightening instead.
Chapter 233 Tell Me The Truth
A sharp pain shot up her arm, making her wince. If being polite wouldn’t get her free, then perhaps provoking him would.
“Mr. White, Tracy Haynes has been worried sick about you. I’m sure she’s been counting the minutes until you return. Since you’re free now, shouldn’t you hurry back? No need
to keep her waiting.”
That did it.
Brian’s expression darkened, his temper flaring instantly. But instead of letting her go, he did the exact opposite.
His fingers clenched around her wrist, his grip turning iron–tight. His glare burned into her, his fury barely restrained. “So, you knew I was here?”
Rachel nodded.
“And you knew I was trapped?”
“Yes.”
“Then what about you?” His voice lowered, rough with something deeper than anger. “Were you not the least bit worried?”
Was she really so eager to push him toward Tracy? He refused to believe it. He refused to believe she could erase everything between them so effortlessly.
“No,” Rachel replied without hesitation. “With your skills and your family’s influence, even if Mr. Carpenter was furious, he wouldn’t dare lay a hand on you.”
Brian let out a sharp laugh, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Even Tracy was worried- afraid I’d get hurt–yet you act like nothing could have happened to me. Rachel, I see it now. Not everyone cares the same way.”
Rachel pressed her lips together, unwilling to respond. There was nothing to say.
She understood what he meant.
Yes, they were different. Tracy was the woman he cherished, the one he would risk his life to protect. And she? Rachel was just a subordinate, someone who had stood by his side for years but could be cast aside whenever it suited him.
She had long since stopped deceiving herself into believing she could compare to Tracy.
But she had no desire to repeat those painful truths aloud.
Each time she did, it felt like reopening an old wound, cutting deeper than before.
12.02
Chapter 233 Tell Me The Truth
She couldn’t endure it anymore.
“Mr. White, you should go back.”
With that, Rachel reached out, determined to pry his hand off her wrist.
Brian let go–just for a second. Then, before she could pull away, his grip tightened once more, locking her in place.
His voice was low and unyielding. “I don’t believe you. If you truly weren’t worried, then why did you come here in the middle of the night? Rachel, look me in the eyes and tell me the truth.”
