Chapter 37

Chapter 37: He Overheard Her Conversation with Claire Ainsworth

Claire Ainsworth looked toward the entrance of the banquet hall.

Rachel Royce waited in the lounge.

Just then, the sound of a door opening came from the entrance.

Rachel looked up to see Suzanne Sullivan and Julian Jennings entering one after the other.

As she supported her belly, about to stand, Suzanne Sullivan gestured for her to remain seated.

Rachel didn’t move.

Suzanne Sullivan sat across from her, his attitude reasonably mild. “What can I do for you p>

Rachel said, “I’d like to ask President Sullivan to look over this document.” As she spoke, she took a file folder from her bag, pulled out the materials inside, and handed them to Suzanne Sullivan. She then explained her reasoning and her purpose for seeking him out.

Of course, she didn’t mention Claire Ainsworth.

“Even though it’s already been rejected, I still wanted to make one last appeal to you, President Sullivan p>

Florence Preston had just sent her a message. Her father had gone home, and Vanguard had replied, saying the evaluation did not pass.

The result was just as she had expected.

Suzanne Sullivan reached out for the documents and was just starting to flip through them when the door was suddenly thrown open.

Everyone started and looked toward the entrance.

Claire Ainsworth strode in on her high heels. She swept her gaze over the people in the room, her eyes finally landing on Suzanne Sullivan as she called out, “Brother p>

Suzanne Sullivan looked at the incoming Claire Ainsworth. “What is it p>

Claire Ainsworth walked forward, saw the documents in Suzanne Sullivan’s hands, and snatched them away. After a quick glance, she tossed the file in front of Rachel. “Wellspring’s acquisition proposal failed Vanguard’s evaluation,” she said to Rachel. “You should fix your company’s own problems first, then you can resubmit later. It’s hardly appropriate for you to bypass the process and come straight to the top p>

Hearing Claire Ainsworth’s words, Suzanne Sullivan understood everything.

Rachel looked at the girl’s innocent facade and instantly understood what it meant to have a pretty face and a wicked heart.

“In that case, Miss Ainsworth, could you inform me what the problems were that caused the evaluation to fail p>

Claire Ainsworth replied, “If you need someone else to point out your own problems, then I have even more reason to believe your company is indeed troubled p>

A faint smile touched Rachel’s lips. “If you can’t even answer a reasonable question, then I’m afraid your company’s evaluation capabilities are nothing to write home about p>

Claire Ainsworth’s eyes darkened.

Rachel reached out, took her documents, and put them back in the folder. “I apologize for troubling you today, President Sullivan p>

As Rachel stood up, one hand on her waist and the other on her belly, Julian Jennings rose and stepped forward to support her.

The coldness in Claire Ainsworth’s eyes intensified.

Suzanne Sullivan stood up, about to say something, but then he saw Rachel suddenly stop and stare at the doorway. Suzanne followed her gaze and saw Tristan Sterling entering the room.

When Tristan Sterling saw Rachel, his expression was frigid. He had clearly overheard the conversation between her and Claire Ainsworth.

Rachel averted her gaze, avoiding the man’s icy eyes.

“Tristan p>

Claire Ainsworth went to him and linked her arm with Tristan Sterling’s in an intimate gesture.

With her eyes lowered, Rachel walked straight toward the door. As she passed Tristan Sterling, she heard his low, cold voice say, “Go back p>

Rachel’s heart tightened. She walked slowly toward the exit, and Julian Jennings followed her out.

Suzanne Sullivan remained standing, watching Rachel’s heavy, slow-moving back. It exuded a sense of loneliness, and an indescribable feeling suddenly rose in his heart.

Rachel and Julian Jennings left the room.

“Let me take you home,” Julian Jennings said.

Rachel looked at him and said, “The reception is still going on. I can have my driver come pick me up p>

Julian Jennings thought for a moment. “That works too. I’ll walk you downstairs first p>

“Okay p>

Julian Jennings and Rachel took the elevator downstairs.

They arrived at the public lounge area in the hotel lobby.

Rachel called Zachary Dudley.

Julian Jennings waited with her, planning to leave after seeing her off in her car.

Julian Jennings looked carefully at the documents in her hands.

Then he said, “Send me a digital copy p>

Rachel paused, seeming to understand Julian’s intentions. ’Right now, he’s the only one who can help me p>

“Alright p>

Rachel sent a digital copy to Julian Jennings’s WeChat.

Julian Jennings took out his phone and looked at it. “As it happens, there’s a real estate company chairman at this reception. I can try talking to him for you p>

For a moment, Rachel was at a loss for words to express her gratitude.

Julian Jennings said, “No need for thanks yet. Let’s wait until it’s a success p>

Rachel smiled. “Okay p>

「Twenty minutes later p>

Zachary Dudley arrived at the hotel with the car.

Julian Jennings saw Rachel into the car, then turned and went back to the banquet hall.

Rachel returned home.

The atmosphere was noticeably somber.

Peter Preston was still working overtime at the office and hadn’t come back yet.

When Florence Preston saw her return, she hurried forward and placed a pair of slippers on the floor for her to change into.

Entering the living room, she saw her father.

Wendy Royce said, “Rachel, you’re back p>

Rachel hummed in acknowledgment. Florence Preston helped her to a seat, and Rachel told them about the situation, including Julian Jennings’s offer to help.

“Then we really must thank Professor Jennings.” Florence Preston sighed in relief.

Rachel said, “Let’s hope there’s good news p>

「The next day p>

Rachel had originally planned to return to the villa today, but thinking about last night, a surge of defiance hardened her heart. She suddenly didn’t want to obey that man’s wishes.

’He’s already appearing in public with the woman he loves. It’s obvious the two of them regularly attend such banquets together. Why should I have to obey his every command? We’re hardly a real couple, anyway p>

Florence Preston asked her when she was going back, worried that Tristan Sterling would be displeased with Rachel.

Rachel said, “I’m not going back for now. Let’s wait until Dad’s company matters are settled p>

Seeing her so resolute, Florence Preston asked, “Did something happen p>

Although the two of them rarely communicated, she could see Rachel’s fear of Tristan Sterling. The man possessed the overwhelming aura of someone long accustomed to power, making it difficult for anyone not to bow their head before him.

Rachel didn’t explain, only saying, “It’s nothing p>

Seeing that she was unwilling to talk, Florence Preston didn’t press the issue.

Even though she had disobeyed Tristan Sterling’s command to return, he hadn’t called her. Still, Rachel knew he must be furious with her.

Perhaps sensing its mother’s emotions, the baby in her belly kicked her again.

Rachel caressed her stomach and murmured to herself, “I hope so much that you’ll remember Mommy when you’re older p>

These days, whenever she had a free moment, she would talk and sing to the baby in her womb. The closer she got to her due date, the closer their time of separation drew.

And her heart ached more and more.