Chapter 43 Guarding The
Secret With His Life
“Consider me a person in my own right. Do you really think I’m someone you can just
walk all over? I have my own dignity. I feel happiness and go through sorrow too. It’s time for both of us to take a step back and think.”
Brian had always viewed himself as resilient.
Yet, as Rachel’s words reached him, they seemed to press a burdensome weight onto his chest, suffocating him with anguish.
“Okay.” That was the only feeble word he could manage.
With a swift motion, Rachel grabbed her suitcase and brushed past him.
“Hold on. I need to ask you something,” Brian called out, his deep eyes shadowed with an unfamiliar gloom.
“What do you want?”
“Did
you say you loved me because I rescued you at the pool?”
Turning back to him, Rachel’s voice was laden with regret. “Honestly, if I had the choice, I wish we’d never crossed paths that day.”
If she hadn’t fallen for him, could they have avoided this tangled mess? Might she have escaped the pain that now cut through her?
As she left, a chilling wind swept through the doorway.
Yet this breeze struck Brian with a sharpness that seemed to target his very soul.
The swimming pool? He had saved her?
Despite racking his brain and sifting through his memories, he found no recollection of such an event.
There could be only one explanation. He was not the one who had saved her. Nor was he the one she had initially fallen for.
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Chapter 43 Guarding The Secret With His Life
Should she discover her heart had mistakenly yearned for another, believing it was him…
No, he wouldn’t allow it to happen.
As soon as the idea entered his mind, he dismissed it immediately.
He was determined not to give her the opportunity to doubt.
It had to be him that she loved; it could only be him.
He vowed to guard this secret with his life.
Never would he reveal it.
Before departing on her trip, Rachel paid a visit to Jeffrey.
He had made a remarkable recovery and was poised to leave the hospital.
She had initially intended to speak with Brian about having Jeffrey move in with them.
Now, however, that conversation seemed unnecessary.
Still, the thought of leaving Jeffrey alone in the hospital solely under a caretaker’s care
troubled her.
After deliberating, she chose to bring him along.
Upon her return, she planned to secure a living arrangement for them both.
With her always around, Jeffrey wouldn’t need to tread so carefully through life
anymore.
Rachel sliced an apple for Jeffrey and offered it to him. “Jeffrey, I’m going away for a bit. Would you like to join me?”
Hearing that he could accompany her, Jeffrey burst into joyful applause. “Yes, yes! I love being with you!”
“Then it’s settled. We leave today. I’ll be back shortly to pick you up.”
“Okay!”
Leaving the hospital, Rachel’s phone rang. It was Eric. “Ms. Marsh, there has been significant progress in Jeffrey’s custody case. We’ve almost collected all the evidence, and I plan to file the lawsuit next month. What do you think?”
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Chapter 43 Guarding The Secret With His Life
“If you
believe the timing is right, I’m on board.”
By choosing him as her attorney, she showed she trusted him completely.
Still, despite Eric’s strong reputation, Rachel couldn’t shake a hint of anxiety.
With her father still alive, the battle for her brother’s custody was a daunting task for
her.
“Eric, how confident are you in winning this case?”
Eric pondered the question before responding, “It’s a toss–up. If you could provide any photos or videos of your daily interactions with Jeffrey, that would strengthen our case considerably.”
“Thank you, Eric. Regarding the fee you mentioned, I’ll arrange for it as quickly as I can.”
Finding herself cornered, Rachel reached out to Yvonne for assistance.
She was aware that despite Yvonne’s marriage to Norton, her financial status had not improved significantly.
Norton had been coerced into the marriage by his family’s expectations.
Understandably, he resented the arrangement.
Since the financial collapse of her family, Yvonne had been funneling her funds into settling debts. Although the Burke family had committed to helping with the loan repayments, it subjected Yvonne to tread carefully before Norton.
Known for her independence, Yvonne detested being under Norton’s thumb.
Yet, she readily agreed to help Rachel. “You need one million, right? I’ll transfer it to
you soon.”
“Yvonne, I’m sorry to trouble you again. If it’s too much trouble or if Norton objects, please don’t push it.”
“Don’t worry about me. When have I ever let myself be pushed around?”
After ending the call, Yvonne attempted to transfer the funds to Rachel.
However, after multiple tries, the transfer wouldn’t go through.
A transfer limit? Five hundred a day? Since when did Norton’s account have such restrictions? Was this some kind of joke?
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Chapter 43 Guarding The Secret With His Life
Yvonne was no longer able to contain her frustration. She strode purposefully toward
Norton’s office.
However, before she could even spot Norton, his assistant, Leif Wilson, intercepted her.
“What’s Norton doing right now?”
“He is currently engaged in a board meeting. Could I interest you in some coffee while you wait?”
Ignoring the offer, Yvonne rifled through her purse, adjusted her sunglasses, and flashed a knowing smirk. “Skip the coffee. I’m here to find out why the card he gave me has suddenly been restricted.”
It was clear that Leif, Norton’s aide, had the information she needed.
“Regarding the card, well, it’s a bit complicated…” Leif began, dabbing at his forehead
nervously.
Seeing his hesitation, Yvonne immediately knew something was off. There was definitely more to this. “Out with it. I’m here for the truth.”
Leif hesitated, his fear evident; revealing the truth was risky.
On the one hand, Norton typically ignored Yvonne, barely acknowledging her, except when family appearances required her presence to please his grandfather.
On the other hand, Yvonne was a favorite of Norton’s grandfather.
Should she voice her displeasure to Norton’s grandfather, Leif’s position would be jeopardized.
Yet, disclosing the truth to Yvonne risked Norton’s wrath.
Caught in his dilemma, Leif’s anxiety was evident. “Mr. Burke will be available shortly. Maybe you could discuss it with him then,” he said.
Yvonne considered her options.
She looked at her perfectly manicured nails and gave a slight smile. “Very well. If you’re not willing to tell me, I’ll have to confront him directly.”
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Chapter 43 Guarding The Secret With His Life
Leif was anxious.
As Yvonne made her way to the meeting room, Leif hurriedly moved to block her.
“Please, I’ll tell you…”
Yvonne halted, folding her arms, her demeanor cool and expectant.
“It’s because of Shelly Tucker.”
