Sunlight struggled to permeate the room, its meager efforts stymied by thick curtains. The air was stale, a testament to windows that hadn't been opened since the break of dawn. Rachel Foster, ensconced in luxurious silk pajamas, lay amidst a sea of white linens. Her knees were pulled tightly to her chest, a shield against the world. Her dark hair cascaded around her face in a mess, framing her features and casting shadows across her forehead.
Her fingers found refuge between her teeth as Rachel chewed nervously on her thumb, her mind lost in a maze of worries. Pain jolted her back to reality, her breath releasing an audible sigh. She sank into the plush headboard, her eyes distant and lost like a boat adrift at sea.
Having lived a life of hardship, Rachel had mastered hiding her inner turmoil behind an inscrutable exterior. This had become her safety net, a refuge during trying times.
Her phone ringing broke the silence, the unwelcome sound rattling her calm. It danced on the bedside table, jittery and impatient. As she reached to pick up the call, her fingers revealed her hidden turmoil with their slight shake.
"Miss Foster," Oliver's strained voice sounded from the other end, the urgency and stress evident. "Directors Smith, Johnson, and Davis are at the office... waiting for Mr. Reed... I've told them he's out of town... yet they're insistent..."
Rachel took a fortifying breath before replying with a steady voice, "I'll be there shortly."
Hanging up, she took a moment to gather herself before rising to prepare for the day.---
Her wardrobe offered a battle uniform for days like this; a pristine white blouse and a black pencil skirt that ended at her knees. Her hair was arranged neatly, her makeup subtle yet effective. Despite its intended aura of power and efficiency, the ensemble took on a soft elegance on Rachel. She was, after all, the formidable Sales Director of Silverstone Holdings.
Ivy Morgan, Jasper's mother, had been waiting anxiously for Rachel. She stood up as Rachel entered, concern lining her face. After acknowledging her destination to Ivy, Rachel stated, "Several directors are at the office waiting for Jasper... I'm going to handle it."
Ivy hesitated before voicing a suggestion that sent a flutter through Rachel's heart: "If there's no other way... we might have to seek out Kingsly Scott."
The mention of Kingsly Scott stirred up a whirlwind of emotions within Rachel. However, she hid behind the fortress of calm she'd built over time, allowing only a flicker of emotion to escape through her expressive eyes before nodding in agreement.