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.
Echoes of the Past"For wealth, can you truly cast aside what we have?"
"I'm sorry."
"Give me three years, and I'll lay the world at your feet."
"I can't wait..."
"Rachel..."
"...I'm sorry."
"Rachel Foster, one day you'll regret this."
His final words were calm, devoid of anger, yet a flicker of pain flashed in his usually proud eyes. That look of hurt would haunt her, waking her up with tears countless nights.
Seven years had passed, and she wondered if her tears had dried up, as she could no longer cry.
...
Oliver knocked and entered, pulling her from her thoughts.
"Miss Foster, you don't look well. Even if you're worried about Mr. Reed, you must take care of yourself," Oliver said, standing before her desk, concern etched on his face.
Rachel, who had been resting her forehead in frustration, sat up. "Have the directors left?"
Oliver nodded. "They aren't aware of the investigation. Since you've assured them that the situation will be resolved, they have no further concerns."
Rachel leaned back, a mix of relief and fatigue visible on her face. "You may leave now. I'd like some time alone."
"Yes." Oliver turned and left, gently closing the door, but not before catching the worry on Rachel's face.
Rachel moved to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the bustling cityscape below. The towering buildings and busy traffic seemed distant, her world remaining gray and isolated.
Leaning against the window, she drifted back into her thoughts. She was deeply worried about Jasper. If not for the accident, they'd be planning their engagement. Fortunately, she had managed to arrange things at the police station. Though she couldn't contact him for the next two days, at least she didn't have to worry about his safety.
Her phone's ringtone cut through the silence. It was Diana, her younger sister studying in the United States.
"Hey sis, I heard you and Jasper are getting engaged. Congrats... I must come back to be your bridesmaid." Diana's voice was filled with excitement, oblivious to the recent events. Rachel wouldn't burden her sister with her worries.
"We'll talk about it when you're back... I have to go to a meeting now, so I'll hang up if there's nothing else." She couldn't muster a cheerful mood.
"You're so boring, sis. Always in meetings or working. I wanted to tell you that I'm in love..."
"We'll talk about it next time!"
"My first love and you..."
"I have to go to a meeting."
"...Fine!" Diana reluctantly hung up, clearly eager to share her newfound romance. Rachel should have been more interested, but it seemed trivial compared to her current concerns.
As she ended the call, the world seemed to return to silence. After a long contemplation by the window, Rachel grabbed her bag and left the office.
Unexpectedly, she encountered the directors who had just left but returned, with Oliver unable to intercept them in time.
"Miss Foster, Director Smith and the others..."
Before Oliver could finish, Director Smith urgently asked, "Miss Foster, what's going on? You said Mr. Reed was on a business trip..."
Before Rachel could grasp the situation, an employee approached with a tablet, a news report playing on the screen.
"Breaking news: Jasper Reed, head of Silverstone Holdings, is under police investigation for alleged illegal financing. Evidence is still being collected, but Jasper has already been detained and may face a sentence of three to ten years for illegal financing..."
Rachel Foster sat in Jasper Reed's study, taking in her surroundings. The room reflected Jasper—warm and pure, with orange and white hues creating a tranquil ambiance.Jasper had always longed for a simple life, away from the complexities of business. Yet, destiny had other plans. Born into a prominent family, he was bound to inherit their vast enterprise. Despite his disinterest, he managed "Silverstone" diligently, keeping it stable and respected within the real estate industry.
The world, however, was not always kind. Even someone as upright as Jasper could fall victim to jealousy and deceit. She knew he couldn't have engaged in illegal financing. Someone was pulling strings, but she couldn't dwell on that now. Her priority was to free Jasper from police custody.
She hadn't seen him in three days, and the longing was unbearable. Jasper had been her rock for seven years, and his warmth and support shaped her into the strong woman she is today. Losing him was unimaginable.
"Rachel."
Ivy Morgan knocked softly on the study door. Rachel rose to greet her. "Auntie, please come in."
Ivy entered, her steps heavy with worry. "I just called the police station. They still won't let us see Jasper."
Rachel hurried to her side, guiding her to the sofa. Ivy had lost weight, her eyes red, and her voice choked with emotion. "I'm terrified something will happen to Jasper. If he goes to prison, how will I face his father?"
Kneeling beside her, Rachel took Ivy's cold hands. "Auntie, I promise I won't let anything happen to Jasper."
Tears streamed down Ivy's face as she clasped Rachel's hand tightly. "Rachel, the company is in chaos. The directors are blaming each other, and the stock price is falling. I don't know what to do..."
Rachel stood, gently embracing Ivy. She gazed into the distance, her voice steady and resolved. "Auntie, I promise everything will be alright. Jasper will be fine, and so will 'Silverstone.'"
She knew what she had to do. She would seek out Kingsly Scott.