Chapter 236 Two
Umbrellas
The sky roared with a thunderous crash, and within seconds, rain began to pour down in thick, heavy drops, each striking the ground like a marble. The downpour quickly intensified, transforming into a relentless deluge that showed no sign of easing
No one had thought to bring an umbrella. Without hesitation, Brian seized Tracy’s hand, pulling her swiftly toward the car to escape the storm.
Rachel followed behind, her injuries leaving her weak and unsteady. Running was out of the question; all she could do was quicken her pace slightly, each step a laborious effort as the rain soaked through her clothes and weighed her down.
A few moments later, something unexpected occurred. The rain suddenly stopped pelting her. She looked up to find an umbrella sheltering her from the relentless downpour. When she turned her head, she met Andres’s familiar, striking face.
“Mr. Garrett, what brings you here?” she asked, her voice laced with surprise. Given that this was the Carpenter family’s estate, his presence was the last thing she had expected.
“I caught wind of Brian’s predicament and suspected you might be here. And I thought perhaps there’s some way I can be of assistance.” Andres‘ presence was both surprising and comforting.
“Thank you,” Rachel responded, her voice imbued with genuine gratitude.
She couldn’t help but feel deeply appreciative of Andres. Their relationship was strictly professional. Yet, time and again, he had extended his care and support, leaving her both touched and slightly overwhelmed by his kindness.
“The path here is too narrow for my car, so I parked over there. Let me take you home,” Andres said, his voice calm and reassuring.
Rachel nodded silently, her appreciation evident in the slight softening of her expression.
As they turned to leave, a figure materialized through the rain–soaked darkness.
Brian approached, his presence pronounced against the dark, rainy backdrop. He, too,
Chapter 236 Two Umbrellas
held an umbrella, its position meticulous and deliberate,
As Brian drew nearer, the space between them, neither too distant nor too intimate, felt charged. His voice, crisp and distinct despite the rain, broke the silence, “Rachel, whose umbrella will you choose?” His words were straightforward, leaving no room for ambiguity.
Rachel glanced at Brian briefly before turning back to Andres, “Thank you, Mr. Garrett, for offering to take me home. I’m grateful,” she said, her tone polite but firm.
“It’s perfectly fine. Stick close; the umbrella’s small,” Andres replied, adjusting the umbrella to shield more effectively.
With a subtle shift, Rachel moved nearer to him, the rain falling steadily around them as they prepared to walk away,
Brian observed the scene unfold, his expression unreadable. A bitter, humorless laugh escaped him. Without a word, he let go of his umbrella, allowing it to fall to the wet ground. There was no hesitation, no lingering look, just a decisive turn as he walked away, his figure swallowed by the rain.
Rachel’s lips twitched into a faint, bitter smile.
“Let’s move on,” Andres suggested gently.
“Sure,” Rachel replied, her tone quiet but steady.
They walked in silence for a few minutes, approaching Brian’s car. Suddenly, Rachel halted, her steps faltering.
“My car is just up ahead,” Andres noted, slightly confused by her sudden stop.
Rachel clutched his arm, her voice urgent. “Wait, let them go first.”
Though baffled, he nodded, sensing her distress.
At that moment, Rachel was overwhelmed by a sharp, engulfing pain. The rain had seeped through her clothes, aggravating her back injury. She could feel fresh blood trickling down, the wounds reopened by their hurried walk.
Passing by Brian’s car now would surely reveal her vulnerable state, an outcome she desperately wanted to avoid. To her, displaying her agony for pity was pointless and undignified.
Inside the car, Brian sat motionless behind the steering wheel, his gaze fixed blankly ahead. Tracy, who had been waiting quietly beside him, sensed his unease. Ronald had
Chapter 236 Two Umbrellas
already left due to other commitments. Now, it was Brian who would drive her back.
“Brian, are you perhaps waiting for Rachel? She might be upset. Should I go talk to her?”
Tracy ventured, her voice laced with concern.
She recalled Brian’s furious demeanor when he had returned earlier, his features
shadowed with anger more intense than she had ever witnessed. As she spoke, her hand
moved tentatively toward the door handle.
In the rearview mirror, Brian’s eyes caught the sight of Andres and Rachel together, standing close under a shared umbrella. Just then, Andres drew Rachel in, his arm wrapping protectively around her shoulders.
Brian’s response was terse and icy, “There’s no need.”
Without another word, Brian pressed the accelerator, and the car roared to life, speeding
into the night and disappearing within moments.
Minutes later, Rachel found herself inside Andres’s car, swathed in the damp warmth of her rain–soaked jacket. Despite the discomfort, she clung to the jacket, concealing the injury beneath.
Andres glanced at her, concern creasing his brow. “Your jacket’s quite wet. It’d be wise to remove it before you catch a chill.”
“No, I’m okay, really,” Rachel insisted, a bit too quickly, her voice edged with a hint of
panic.
Perplexed by her reaction, Andres was about to press the matter when a faint, metallic smell, the unmistakable scent of blood, caught his attention. It was coming from her.
His expression shifted to worry, yet he remained silent, respecting her privacy.
However, as the car’s journey extended, Rachel noticed they were not on the path to her home. Instead, the vehicle slowed to a stop outside a hospital. Confusion marred her features as she turned to him.
“Why are we here?” Rachel asked, her voice tinged with alarm.
Andres met her gaze, his tone gentle yet firm. “It’s time to take care of that wound,
Rachel.”
Rachel blinked, caught off guard. “You…”
“You’re wondering how I knew, aren’t you?” Andres interjected gently, his gaze softening.
Rachel nodded silently.
Chapter 236 Two Umbrellas
As he parked the car, he turned to her with a concerned look. “When I approached you earlier, I detected the scent of blood. Given the notorious reputation of the Carpenter estate, it’s hardly a place for a leisurely visit. If Brian emerged without a scratch, it suggests you shielded him.”
Rachel’s eyes brimmed with tears at his words, the emotional weight of the evening overwhelming her. She hastily wiped her tears away, attempting to downplay her injuries. “It’s really just a scratch. I have some ointment at home; a hospital visit seems
unnecessary.”
Andres’s expression hardened slightly with determination. “Let’s leave such assessments to medical professionals. Considering the risks associated with the Carpenter estate, I won’t be at peace until a doctor has seen you.”
Faced with his insistence and her mounting discomfort, Rachel acquiesced. The pain was indeed intensifying, and proper medical attention could hasten her healing. Reluctantly, she agreed, understanding that this was for the best.
As Andres ushered Rachel into the private hospital, his VIP status expedited their entry,
ensuring a doctor saw her without delay.
In the examination room, the doctor, a woman with a calm demeanor, asked Rachel to explain her symptoms before instructing, “Please remove your jacket and lift your top so I can examine the extent of your injuries.”
Complying without hesitation, Rachel peeled off her soaked jacket. The exposure revealed multiple lacerations across her back, stark against her skin, exacerbated by the rain–soaked fabric that clung to her body. The severity of the wounds was now unmistakable, and their potential visibility had she not jacket the coat was alarming.
“These wounds need thorough cleaning and disinfection to prevent infection,” the doctor advised gently, noting the seriousness of the injuries. “I need you to remove your top for proper treatment.”
Aware of Andres’s presence and feeling somewhat self–conscious, Rachel hesitated. She glanced at him, her expression one of mild apprehension. Sensing the need for privacy, the doctor tactfully intervened. “Sir, perhaps it would be appropriate for you to wait outside during the examination.”
“Oh, of course. My apologies,” Andres said quickly, exiting the room without another
word.
Rachel began to remove her clothes, one hand struggling while the other lacked the strength to assist. The effort was clearly painful.
Chapter 226 Two Umbrellas
Finally, the doctor spoke up, her tone compassionate. “It seems you’re having difficulty. Would you like me to cut it off to ease the process?”
