No, no... Rachel Foster shook her head, regaining her composure. She told herself not to overthink it. A single pen couldn't mean anything significant. If Kingsly still remembered her, there was no way he would have kept that pen.
With that thought, Rachel's anxiety began to ease. She held the pen for a long time, lost in the memories it stirred.
Kingsly returned around eleven that night. As Rachel emerged from the bathroom, towel-drying her hair, she saw him loosening his tie, looking weary.
She hesitated, and he noticed her, smiling as he approached. "Just out of the shower?" he asked, wrapping his arms around her from behind, inhaling the fresh scent of her shampoo.
Still unaccustomed to such intimacy, especially after the shock from the pen, her face paled slightly, and she instinctively pulled away.
But he held her hands firmly, kissing the back of her neck. "Did you check out the house across the street?"
His warm breath sent a shiver down her neck, and her face flushed. Knowing her shyness, he released her and removed his tie, chuckling softly.
"I didn't go," she said, sitting on the bed to dry her hair, hoping to mask her unease. "I don't need you to buy me a house."
He unfastened his watch, his tone neutral, "Why not?"
"We're just in a simple transaction. It's best if we owe each other nothing."
He paused, lifting his gaze to meet hers. She glanced up, their eyes locking briefly, making her heart skip.
Returning his focus to his watch, he unbuttoned his shirt. "Consider it a rental then—three thousand a month, a bargain for that area."
Three thousand? For that location? That was absurdly low; it wouldn't even cover a month elsewhere.
"No, thank you. I'll find a place tomorrow, even if it's not in the city center." Better to keep things clean and clear.
He shrugged off his shirt and approached her, tilting her chin thoughtfully. "You hardly wanted to get up this morning, and you want to live far from the office? Worried I'll be late?"
Caught by his teasing eyes, she blushed, realizing his implication. She hadn't meant for him to live with her!
Seeing her blush deepen, he smiled but remained firm, "It's settled then. I'll have Helen help you move tomorrow, okay?" He lifted her gaze to meet his.
She avoided his eyes, aware of his bare chest, muscled like a runway model's.
Her face grew hotter, her mind a jumble, and she was speechless until he disappeared into the shower.
Listening to the water run, she sat on the bed, cheeks flaming with embarrassment at how easily she was flustered.
When Kingsly emerged from the bathroom, Rachel was under the covers, feigning sleep.
He switched off the lights, climbed into bed, and draped himself over her, kissing his way from her neck to her collarbone.
Unable to pretend any longer, she pushed against him, opening her eyes, "Not tonight... I'm exhausted." Her body still ached.
He cupped her warm face, smiling, "You need to get used to this. It might become your nightly routine."
Her face burned red, even in the dim light. She muttered through clenched teeth, "You're shameless."
He laughed heartily, "If men weren't shameless, how would humanity continue? Besides, it's not always just men who want this."
Flustered, Rachel's face turned crimson as she playfully hit his chest, only to have her hands pinned to the bed.
She was genuinely embarrassed and frustrated, trying to push him away with her legs, "As if I'd ever want..."
He raised an eyebrow, amused, "Weren't you the one who came to me last night?"
"..."
He was a cunning businessman, always waiting for someone to fall into his trap.
He caressed her cheek, "Never try to challenge me. You're not my match."
He could always see through her, leaving her no place to hide.
"Scared of me again?" he asked, cupping her face, "But you look so endearingly innocent when you're frightened."
One moment, he was demanding; the next, whispering sweet nothings. Anyone might think he truly cared for her, but only she knew she was better off far from him.
He leaned in, his lips capturing hers, tugging her nightgown off...
The following day, leaving the hotel with Kingsly, Rachel was too annoyed to speak.
It wasn't just last night that had irked her, but his teasing comments that morning...
As they got up, he teasingly remarked, "Women are all talk. Last night, someone kept telling me not to stop..."
In her frustration, she nearly smothered him with a pillow.
Seething, she sat beside him in the car, not attempting to hide her disdain.
The car finally stopped in front of Silverstone Holdings. She opened the door quickly, eager to escape, but he pulled her back before her feet touched the ground.
"What are you doing?" she snapped.
He pecked her forehead, relaxed, "Remember to end things cleanly with Jasper."
Jerk!
She cursed him inwardly, pulling away, her cheeks puffed with irritation as she exited the car.
---
Silverstone was as it always was, employees greeting her with respectful "Miss Foster" as she passed.
She forced a smile each time, maintaining her composure until reaching the elevator.
Inside, her facade dropped, leaving her face pale and expressionless.
Stepping out of the elevator, her assistant enthusiastically greeted her, "Miss Foster."
She nodded, heading into her office.
The assistant teased, "You and Mr. Reed have been away for two days. Everyone thinks you're secretly planning your wedding... When will you share the news?"
Seeing Rachel's lack of reaction, the assistant's chatter halted, worriedly asking, "Did I say something wrong, Miss Foster?"
Rachel shook her head, focusing on the papers on her desk.
The assistant moved to help, "Let me handle these for you..."
"No need, just bring me a box," Rachel replied quietly.
"Okay."
Barely a few steps away, the assistant froze, turning back in shock, "Miss Foster, what do you need a box for?"
Rachel finished organizing the papers, "I'm leaving Silverstone."
"What?"
The assistant's disbelief turned into a dash back to Rachel's side, "Are you leaving to start a family after getting married?"Rachel's throat tightened, her voice strained, "No."
"Then..."
Rachel glanced around the familiar office, her voice tinged with sadness, "Jasper and I broke up."
The assistant gasped, covering her mouth, stunned.
Despite holding back her emotions, Rachel's eyes began to well with tears.
"How could this happen..."
Sniffling, Rachel offered no further explanation, steadfastly packing her belongings. "Make sure to hand over all my projects to Oliver. And about the deal Jasper discussed in the U.S., the offer isn't reasonable. Tell Oliver to warn Jasper to be cautious."
The assistant stood in shocked silence until Rachel, box in hand, left the office. Then she hurried to catch up.
Rachel encountered Jasper in the hallway before the assistant could say anything to persuade her to stay.
Both stopped, their eyes meeting.
Jasper hadn't slept, his gaze finally resting on the box in her arms.
...
They stood by the window in Jasper's office, looking out in the distance.
He spoke first, his voice weary, "Leaving Silverstone, was that his decision or yours?"
"Mine." However, Kingsly wanted her to sever ties with Jasper completely.
Turning to face her, his bloodshot eyes filled with sadness, "Does it have to be so final? You could treat it as a job."
Rachel turned to him, saying, "I don't want him to think I'm still attached to this place." Why did she have to hurt someone who loved her so deeply? Hadn't she hurt enough people already?
Her heart ached, but her face showed only a hint of sorrow.
"Do you love him that much?" Jasper's voice trembled as if holding back a torrent of emotion.
She stood firm, "Yes."
Jasper grabbed her shoulders, his voice rising with emotion, "He's married. He can't make you happy."
She closed her eyes in pain, "I know, but I don't care. Just being near him is enough for me." She'd never imagined she could lie so convincingly, a skill perhaps honed seven years ago when she parted from Kingsly.
Jasper shook his head, a bitter smile on his lips. "What a failure I am. I tried so hard to love you all these years, but I couldn't replace him in your heart." His hands clenched into fists, and he pounded against the window, full of despair.
Rachel caught his hand, "Don't do this, Jasper..." Her eyes filled with tears as she saw his bloodied hand.
He pulled away sharply, leaving her stumbling.
Taking a deep breath, he looked at her, his eyes full of hurt and guilt.
He said, "I'll warn Kingsly. If I see you cry for him, I won't spare him."
Tears streamed down her face, "Jasper..."
His eyes were wet, too, and he was blinking back tears. Then, seemingly calm, he left her with one last message, "Take care of yourself." Without looking back, he walked out of the office.
...
Wandering with the box, tears rolled down her cheeks.
Jasper slumped by the window in the 26th-floor office at Silverstone, watching her distant figure disappear down the street.
...
Kingsly Scott played indoor golf with Leo Thompson at the top of the Titans Group tower.
After Kingsly made a perfect shot, Leo leaned on his club, smiling, "Seems you're quite pleased with Rachel Foster."
Kingsly replied, "Your meddlesome nature is getting worse."
Leo laughed, "I'm envious. You seem to have it all with Luna and Rachel by your side."
Kingsly said, "I'm far from having what I want."
Leo chuckled, "Even I can't determine what you truly want. Revenge? Or have you not forgotten little Miss Foster, turning love into hate?" He gazed intently at Kingsly.
Kingsly set down his club, casually sipping a drink, "Every game ends; it's just not the time yet."
Leo held Kingsly's gaze, unable to discern anything. "Are you sure this won't end in mutual destruction?"
Kingsly laughed, "I won't stumble twice in the same place. Since 'failure' hasn't been in my vocabulary since seven years ago."
"Don't speak too soon, Mr. Scott. Love's power is mighty," Leo teased, "Who knows, maybe you'll be the one who can't let go."
Kingsly smiled, "If that day comes, I'll accompany her to hell."
---
Returning to the hotel, Rachel found her belongings from Jasper's place had been delivered.
A suitcase of seasonal clothes, cosmetics, and... a black lockbox.
Puzzled, Rachel recalled she didn't have such a box at Jasper's.
Trying her birthday as the code, the box opened.
She froze.
Inside were her old belongings in a box under her bed. She never imagined Jasper would send even these.
If she'd kept them as a nostalgic regret, now they felt like a source of sorrow...
The love story of Rachel and Kingsly had ended, with the protagonists parting ways forever.
It may be time to let go of these things...
She glanced at the black videotape in the box, then closed it.
Just as she prepared to discard it, her phone rang.
Frowning, she answered.
She hadn't expected it to be Kingsly. It was his number.
His smooth voice reached her, "Is everything settled?"
"Yes, I've resigned."
"Would you join me for lunch?"
Having refused him once and faced the fallout with Noah, she couldn't risk angering him again.
"Sure, where?"
"I've sent a driver. You'll see when you arrive."
...
The restaurant was a high-end French establishment with an elegant ambiance.
Kingsly stood, gallantly pulling out her chair before returning to his.
Though there weren't many people, dining with him in such a public place made her nervous, so she lowered her gaze as she ate.
Sensing her unease, he reassured her, "This is a members-only restaurant; no reporters."
Relieved, she slowly lifted her head.
He placed a slice of steak before her, casually asking, "Do you like Bali?"
"Hmm?"
"I'm heading to Indonesia for a project. There are a few days off."
"For a vacation?"
He glanced at her, "Not interested?"
Who doesn't love vacations, especially to Bali? She'd been once, fondly remembering the ocean views, but...
She didn't want to go with him.
"I'm planning to job hunt," she said, declining his invitation.
He paused, wiped his mouth, and said, "I've considered your work situation."
She was taken aback.
"I know you were a sales manager at Silverstone and did well. There's an opening in my company's sales department."
To go from managing at Silverstone to being a regular employee at Titans Group—his arrogance was astounding.
"I don't need you to arrange my job. I'll find one myself."
"Then find one that suits my schedule. If not, work at Titans Group."
A job that suits his schedule, meaning always available? The job would only allow that if she worked for him.
Again, she had no choice.
While she protested inwardly, she remained silent.
She couldn't afford to anger him. Noah's safety was his word, and trouble for Noah could also be his word. She could only wait for him to tire of her.