At the dining table in the Reed household, Ivy Morgan was doting on Rachel Foster, placing more food on her plate. "Rachel, eat more; you're so thin."
Jasper Reed playfully feigned jealousy. "Mom, shouldn't you be doting on your son who just returned from hardship?"
Ivy chuckled. "You had Rachel taking care of everything at the police station, so you didn't suffer much. But Rachel has been running around for you these days and has lost weight."
Jasper smiled, gazing at Rachel with endless affection. "I'll pamper my wife even more from now on."
Rachel blushed. "Stop it, let's eat. You still have to go to the office later."
"Aren't you coming?"
Rachel put down her utensils. "I have something to do today, so I won't go."
"Alright," Jasper said, giving Rachel an affectionate kiss on the cheek. "Let's have dinner out tonight."
"Okay."
As Jasper got up, Rachel helped him with his suit jacket and adjusted his collar. Only then did Jasper leave, satisfied.
Ivy watched their affection from the side, feeling immensely gratified.
Rachel went upstairs and opened her wardrobe. Many clothes were in the closet, but she didn't know which outfit to wear to meet him. Yes, Helen called her early, saying Kingsly Scott invited her to golf that morning.
She didn't need to dress up specifically for him, but she always wanted to look a bit prettier in front of him.
Ultimately, she changed into a rarely worn but elegant mauve dress and took a cab to the Yilin Club.
When Rachel arrived at the club, Kingsly was already swinging several clubs.
He looked tall and fit in his white casual attire, more approachable than his usual business suit. The sunlight glinted off his metallic golf club, casting a white reflection on his handsome face, making him look even more spirited. Combined with his inherent nobility and gentlemanly demeanor, he captivated her from afar.
She didn't even notice when Helen approached her side.
"Miss Foster, Mr. Scott is waiting for you over there," Helen said courteously.
Rachel snapped out of her daze, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Okay."
She was about to head to the changing room when she caught Kingsly's gaze from across the way.
Every time she met Kingsly's gaze, Rachel's heart would race. She shyly smiled at him.
Kingsly, ever the gentleman nodded courteously at Rachel.
Once Rachel changed into sportswear, Kingsly handed her a golf club and casually commented, "You look beautiful today."
Rachel almost forgot about the dress she wore earlier. Her face slightly reddening at his compliment, her heart racing even more; she kept her composure, looked down at the club, and replied graciously, "Thank you."
"Hope you don't mind that I interrupted your time with your boyfriend to have you play golf with me," Kingsly said after swinging a club.
Rachel quickly replied, "You're joking, Mr. Scott. You've helped Jasper; there's no need for more words of gratitude. I'm very willing to be friends with you."
Kingsly chuckled, leaning on his club as he looked at Rachel. "Your turn."
Rachel swung her club beautifully, scoring a hole-in-one, showcasing her natural talent for golf.
They tied in the first round.
Kingsly gazed across the rolling green of the golf course, focused on precisely aiming at the hole. As he took his second shot, he turned to Rachel and said, "Kingsly."
"Huh?" Rachel paused, trying to understand the meaning behind the English word.
"I'm telling you my first name, so you don't have to call me Mr. Scott anymore."
"Rachel, your golf skills aren't at their best today."As they reached the 17th hole, Kingsly Scott led Rachel Foster by eight strokes, and he turned to look at her.
Rachel was momentarily stunned, her eyes wide as she looked at Kingsly.
Kingsly immediately realized something, apologizing, "Sorry for calling you that without your consent."
"It's not that, Kingsly, I don't mind you calling me that." She was dazed for a second because when he called her just now, his magnetic voice and gentle tone were precisely like in the past, making her feel as if she had been transported back in time.
Kingsly smiled slightly. "You're not performing well today."
How could she possibly play well in front of him?
She gave a shy smile. My golfing skills aren't that good to begin with.
"There's one more stroke."
"No more; you're already eight strokes ahead of me," Rachel muttered softly.
Her conceding attitude was like a child's, head down, lips slightly pouting, very adorable.
Kingsly laughed louder, handing his club to the caddy and moving his long legs to stand before her.
She felt the light in front of her blocked by his tall figure, and when she looked up, her eyes unintentionally met his lowered gaze.
Looking up at him, her breath caught for a second, and her mind went blank.
He asked again, "Are you afraid of me?"
She shook her head dumbly.
He chuckled, his gaze lingering on her flushed cheeks.
Unable to decipher his expression, she quickly brought up a topic. "Um... why are just the two of us at the club today?"
Only now did she notice the golf course was tranquil, seemingly occupied only by them.
"Because I booked the whole place."
"Huh?" Why would he book the entire place?
Before she could process it, he had already started walking away with long strides. "Come on, I'll take you home."
Kingsly insisted on driving Rachel back.
Since Helen had left early, the Bentley was occupied only by Kingsly and Rachel on the way back.
In the quiet car, he was the first to break the silence. "Do you think that in life, money or feelings are more important?" His usual cool gaze was inscrutable.
Rachel thought it was just a casual question, so she answered casually. "Feelings, of course."
Kingsly raised an eyebrow. "You don't care much about money?"
"Of course not. While money isn't everything, it's impossible to live without it."
He watched her through the mirror. "So, your desire for money is still strong, even though your boyfriend is the head of a company."
Rachel thought for a moment. "My desire for money has never stopped." The days of hardship without money still left her with lingering fear.
Kingsly's lips curved slightly. "If I could give you more money than you have now, just for doing one thing—nothing illegal—would you do it?"
"I would."
Perhaps her answer pleased him, as his interest seemed piqued. He slowly turned to her, "Oh?" His dark eyes fixed on her fair face. "What if I asked you to be my woman?"
She was still too naive.Earlier, when he helped Jasper, she thought he was still the same person as before. But today, when he offered to drive her home, she realized she had underestimated him.
He was a successful businessman, and businessmen never engaged in unprofitable deals. So, that night, there was a better time for him to collect his dues.
Now, he was asking for it.
He chuckled, observing her silence. "What, did I scare you pale?"
Rachel Foster looked up, meeting his gaze with composure. "I thought Mr. Scott was a gentleman who loves his wife," she retorted, using his own words from that night against him.
He chuckled again. "If I helped Miss Foster because I coveted your beauty, I would betray my wife. But if our relationship is a transaction, paid for with money, then it's just business. My wife would see you as the same type as Natalie Lewis."
To think he regarded her as merchandise made her feel humiliated. Her tone turned sharp. "I won't sell myself for money, sorry."
A long arm suddenly braced against the car wall near her ear, enveloping her in an aura of rare anger. His voice was a raspy whisper in her ear. "Didn't you say you were willing? Are you playing me?"
The driver seemed invisible in the compartment, and the car gradually slowed.
"I wouldn't dare," she replied respectfully, retreating until her back was against the car, leaving no room to escape.
His breath was right next to her ear.
The car stopped in front of the Reed family villa.
At that moment, Rachel suddenly understood Kingsly's insistence on driving her back. If he pulled her out of the car now, their relationship would be unclear, and he might even tell Ivy Morgan that she seduced him.
He had planned it all along.
He had changed, become so dark and calculating. His slightly narrowed eyes emitted a sharp, sinister gleam, making her feel like a thorn in her side.
Sam, the gatekeeper of the Reed family, saw the Bentley parked at the entrance, assuming it was a family friend. He hurried out to greet them, thankful that the tinted windows prevented him from seeing inside.
He didn't move, nor did she dare to. She feared that any movement would cause her neck to brush against his thin lips, her cheek tingling from the warmth of his breath.
Kingsly watched her cheeks gradually redden, a faint smile playing on his lips. He was amused that his proximity made her so bashful. His sharp eyes flickered with change.
Ultimately, he did nothing, simply opening the car door on her side.
She practically fled the car, with his carefree laughter trailing behind her.
The driver blocked Sam's view, so Sam didn't get a clear look at him.
The car kicked up dust as it sped away before her and Sam.
Rachel touched her cheek, letting out a long breath, feeling utterly drained.