Chapter 30 Reality Never Bent To Her Wishes
Rachel and Trey arrived later at the gathering.
The group, of course, wasn’t about to let her off the hook so easily. Laughter erupted as they playfully called out, “Rachel Marsh, you’re late! You must drink a glass!”
Rachel’s gaze swept the room until it landed on Brian. He was sitting on the sofa, effortlessly commanding attention as people flocked around him.
Beside him, Tracy sat comfortably, leaning in with an unmistakable familiarity.
At that moment, they seemed like the perfect pair–charming, elegant, and completely in sync. And Rachel? She felt like an outsider who had mistakenly wandered into
someone else’s story.
“Come on, Rachel! You can’t just stand there–come and drink!” someone chimed in. The others quickly joined the chant, encouraging her.
Rachel stole another glance at Brian.
Their relationship wasn’t public at work, but a small part of her still clung to hope.
A part of her wished–however foolishly–that he would step in and spare her from this
uncomfortable moment.
But she was wrong.
Brian’s face remained indifferent, as if she were no different from anyone else in the
room.
Realizing there was no use in hoping, she looked away and focused on the glass of wine
in front of her.
She lifted it, ready to drink it all in one go.
But just then, a warm, firm hand grabbed hers, stopping her.
Before she could react, the glass was gently taken from her grasp.
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Trey, effortlessly composed, slipped one hand into his pocket while scanning the room. with sharp eyes. In a calm yet unwavering tone, he stated, “I was the reason she was late. If anyone should drink, it’s me.”
With that, he lifted the glass and downed it in one smooth motion.
The crowd burst into cheers. “Now that is how a real man handles it!”
Someone teased, “Rachel, where on earth did you find such a charming employee? I’d trade anything to have one like him on my team.”
Rachel gave a soft smile. “Pure coincidence. I just hired him today.”
“You’re really living the dream! Hiring a guy like him just on a whim? We’re all jealous
over here!”
The playful remarks kept coming, and before she knew it, another glass of liquor was placed in her hand. “No excuses this time!”
Rachel let out a small laugh. “Alright, alright.” Without hesitation, she raised the glass and drank it all in one go.
Over on the sofa, Brian’s expression turned dangerously cold
A sharp crack echoed through the room as the glass in his grip suddenly shattered.
The unexpected noise cut through the chatter, turning every head in the room.
Tracy looked down and saw blood dripping from his hand, the shattered glass cutting deep into his skin.
The bright red stood out, vivid and shocking.
For a moment, everyone was stunned.
Then, chaos broke loose.
“Cut the music! What’s all this noise?”
“Get the lights on now!”
“Somebody call a doctor, quick!”
Tracy’s voice rose above the chaos. “No need for that. Just grab a first–aid kit.”
She looked at Brian, her voice gentle but assured. “I’ll handle it for you.”
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Without a second thought, Brian nodded. “Okay.”
The entire room fell into silence.
Rachel had no interest in sticking around.
Without a glance back, she turned on her heel and headed toward the restroom.
But the restroom was far from the peaceful retreat she expected.
“Did you see that? I told you Mr. White and Tracy were a thing. That proves it!”
“Exactly. I even did some digging–Tracy is the one he has been pining over for years. Now that she’s back, he’s obviously going to worship her.”
“We should start treating Tracy with more respect–no, I mean, the soon–to–be Mrs.
White.”
The gossiping continued, but then one voice stood out. “But… don’t you think he seems to have a soft spot for Rachel?”
“Oh, come on! That’s ridiculous. Sure, Rachel’s attractive, but I heard she has a handicapped younger brother. Do you honestly think he would ever consider her?”
“Please! She may be competent enough to work for him, but that’s as far as it goes. She’s not someone he’d ever take seriously.”
The door burst open with a loud bang.
The group spun around, startled to see Rachel standing in the doorway. “W–Why are you here?” one of them stuttered.
Rachel’s expression was cold. “Do you own this place?” Her tone was razor–sharp, making the women fall into an uneasy silence.
Rachel was no stranger to workplace rumors. Most of the time, she paid them no mind.
But this time was different. They had dragged her brother into it, and that was something she wouldn’t let slide.
Without thinking twice, she seized the woman’s arm, her eyes sharp and unyielding.
The rest of them, gripped by fear, scattered at once.
“Where did you hear about my brother?” Rachel demanded.
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The woman’s face paled, her composure crumbling.
She had always known Rachel as composed and unbothered–never had she imagined this fiery side of her.
“I… I know someone who went to the same school with you. She mentioned it,” the
woman stuttered.
“Oh? Is that right?” Rachel’s lips curved into a slow, icy smirk.
She let go of the woman and gave her shoulder a light tap. “Whatever my brother’s circumstances are, they have nothing to do with you. You have no right to belittle him. And as for your remark about me not being worthy of Brian’s attention–do you believe you are worthy of him? Now get lost!”
Her brother was the one thing she would never compromise on.
Anyone who dared to cross that line would regret it.
If she didn’t stand up for him, she wouldn’t be worthy of being his sister.
As Rachel stepped out of the restroom, she spotted Trey leaning casually against the wall, arms folded. “I always thought you were all sugar and no spice. Guess I was wrong–you’ve got claws.”
“Having second thoughts about working with me?” she asked coolly.
Trey placed a hand over his chest. “Regret? If anything, I regret not teaming up with
you sooner.”
By the time they stepped back into the private room, the energy had picked up once
more.
Brian’s injured hand was now neatly wrapped in bandages.
The night continued with karaoke, and everyone eagerly grabbed the mic, eager to impress Brian.
Trey slid into the seat beside Rachel. “Everyone’s raising their glasses to Mr. White.
Shouldn’t you be doing the same?”
Rachel said nothing. She simply sipped her drink in silence.
The upbeat tempo of the room shifted as a slow, sentimental tune filled the air.
“Who chose this song?” a voice in the crowd questioned.
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Tracy lifted her hand without hesitation, gripping the microphone. “That would be me.”
A voice teased from the crowd, ” isn’t this a duet? Who’s your partner?”
Tracy turned to Brian, her eyes carrying both hesitation and confidence. “Brian, if I remember right, you love this song. How about we sing it together?”
Brian’s expression was unreadable.
He crossed his legs and rested a hand on his knee, showing no reaction.
Tracy grew nervous, a thin layer of sweat appearing on her nose.
The silence felt unbearable.
Rachel clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.
She silently wished for him to refuse.
In her mind, she even dared to picture him pushing through the crowd, taking her hand,
and saying, “You’ve got it all wrong. Rachel is my fiancée.”
But reality never bent to her wishes.
Under the dim lights, she could only watch as that tall, refined figure strode past
everyone–to Tracy.
With a light touch, his fingers swept a strand of her hair away.
His tone was warm, almost tender. “If you want it, I’ll sing with you.”
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