In the room, by the window, Rachel Foster gazed at the birch trees in the garden, their leaves scattered on the ground, completely unaware of the sound of the door opening behind her.
Just returning from a business trip, Jasper Reed saw Rachel standing by the window, lost in thought. He placed his gift for her on a nearby table and quietly walked toward her.
The approaching footsteps finally brought Rachel back to reality. She was about to turn around when she was enveloped in an embrace from behind.
"Rachel..." Jasper buried his face in her neck, inhaling her scent with deep contentment.
Rachel, a bit surprised, turned to look at Jasper. "Didn't you say you were landing at five?"
Jasper pulled back slightly, his arms still around her waist. "Take a look at the time, dear."
Rachel glanced at the clock on the wall, surprised. "It's already six?"
"Yes, dear, and you promised to pick me up from the airport to have dinner together... It seems you couldn't miss me during my five-day trip!" Jasper teased, playfully pinching her nose.
"I'm sorry, I lost track of time," Rachel said, feeling guilty.
Jasper ruffled her hair affectionately. "It's okay... There's still time for dinner out."
Rachel managed a faint smile and shook her head. "I'm sorry, Jasper, I don't have an appetite today."
Seeing her downcast expression, Jasper's smile faded, and he grew concerned. "What's wrong?"
Rachel gently pulled away, turning to look out the window, her voice heavy with worry. "Noah is in trouble."
Jasper moved to stand beside her, his expression serious. "What happened?"
Rachel shook her head in dismay. "Noah's project with Titans Group ran into problems."
Jasper placed a comforting arm around her narrow shoulders. "Don't worry, just tell me what happened."
Rachel let out a long sigh and explained the situation to Jasper.
After hearing everything, Jasper was taken aback. "You mean Noah now owes Titans Group five hundred million?"
Rachel nodded, unable to bear its weight.
Even Jasper, who had always had money, was stunned by the staggering figure.
Rachel's voice was choked with guilt. "It's my fault for not stopping Noah from joining Titans Group..."
Jasper held her even tighter. "Blaming ourselves won't solve anything now. The important thing is to address the current issue... What is Titans Group's stance?"
Rachel sniffed, trying to remain calm. "Noah just called me. Titans Group said he could continue overseeing the project conversion. Still, he has to come up with three hundred million to cover the current losses, or else he has to pay the full five hundred million now. If he can't, they'll take legal action."
Jasper thought for a few seconds, then gently turned Rachel to face him, speaking softly. "It's just three hundred million; we'll pay it."
Rachel's eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at Jasper.
Jasper Reed pulled her into his embrace, speaking softly, "While I was in the U.S. these past couple of days for a project, they asked us for proof of assets. I had the company's actuary do a valuation for Silverstone Holdings. The projects under the company are worth about two hundred million, and the company's stocks are worth another two hundred million. Raising three hundred million isn't very difficult."
Rachel Foster abruptly pushed Jasper away, "What are you saying? Don't joke about selling Silverstone."
"I'm not joking. As long as Noah is safe, three hundred million is nothing."
Jasper spoke lightly, but Rachel was already terrified. She stared at him in shock, "Losing the projects and the company stocks is like selling Silverstone..." Jasper smiled calmly, "If this is the only way to help Noah, I wouldn't hesitate."
Rachel couldn't accept it, backing away until she was against the cold wall. Looking at Jasper's serious face in disbelief, she said firmly, "I don't need you to do that, and I will never let you."
Jasper slowly approached Rachel, reaching out to caress her pale, cold face. His voice was hoarse. "Money has never been the most important thing to me. What matters most is you."
"Silverstone is the Reed family business..."
"Silverstone has gradually declined over the years due to my poor management. I've long thought about leaving the business world."
Rachel vigorously shook her head, holding his hand on her cheek. "You can't do this. Auntie would disagree."
Jasper tilted his head and lightly kissed Rachel's hand, "Silverstone is entirely under my control now; my mother has no say."
She knew Jasper had sacrificed a lot for her all these years, but she didn't think he could give up everything.
He loved her so much, yet she had never fully loved him. She always left a place in her heart for memories of someone else.
She owed him so much!
Her eyes began to redden, and a thin layer of mist formed over them. Full of guilt and remorse, she looked at the man who loved her deeply and said, "I can accept all the kindness you show me and my family, but I will never let you sell Silverstone for us."
At that moment, Jasper took his phone out of his suit pocket and calmly called, "Oliver, arrange a meeting with Mr. Scott from Titans Group. Tell him I want to discuss Noah's situation."
Rachel pulled at Jasper's hand to stop him, "No, Jasper..."
Jasper hung up the phone, ignoring her protests, gently touching her face, and smiling softly, "I'm going to talk to Noah. Don't worry about anything; I'll handle it."
"No..." Rachel held onto Jasper as he attempted to leave, "Don't do this, Jasper. We will find another way..."
Jasper continued to smile gently, "I told you, Silverstone doesn't matter to me. All I care about is you."
Rachel stood there, stunned, "No..."
Bang—
Suddenly, the sound of something shattering came from the doorway.
Both Jasper and Rachel looked towards the door.
There, Ivy Morgan stood frozen; the fruit platter she held had slipped from her hands, scattering fruit all over the floor.
"Mom."
Jasper quickly stepped forward to steady his mother as she leaned against the doorway, her face pale.
Rachel Foster followed closely behind, her voice soft but concerned. "Auntie…"
Ivy Morgan's gaze darted between Jasper and Rachel, her expression a mixture of confusion and alarm. "Son, what did I just hear? Are you planning to sell Silverstone?"
Jasper hesitated, his usual calm demeanor faltering for a moment. "Mom…"
Her voice sharpened, laced with fear. "Tell me the truth. Is that true?"
Jasper shook his head, offering her a reassuring smile. "Mom, it's nothing like that. Why would I sell Silverstone without a reason?" He glanced briefly at Rachel, silently asking for her support.
"But I heard you," Ivy insisted, her brows furrowing. "You and Rachel were talking about selling Silverstone's projects—"
"You must have misheard," Jasper interrupted gently, his tone steady and soothing. "Rachel and I were only discussing some company matters. That's all."
He quickly maneuvered to guide Ivy out of the room, his hand steady on her arm.
Rachel stood frozen, her thoughts clouded with guilt and unease as she watched them leave. Jasper offered her one last reassuring look before disappearing down the hall with his mother.
Ten minutes passed. The room had grown eerily quiet, but Rachel remained seated at the edge of the bed, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her sweater.
When Jasper returned, she barely noticed him until he sat beside her, his presence warm and grounding.
"Rachel," he said softly, his voice breaking through her spiraling thoughts.
She turned to face him, her eyes searching his for answers.
"I'm going to see Noah now," Jasper explained. "Promise me you'll stay here and rest. I'll handle everything."
Rachel's voice was faint, her concern evident. "Auntie… she seemed so upset."
Jasper pulled her into his arms, his embrace firm yet comforting. "Don't worry about Mom. I'll talk to her later. Just don't mention anything about Noah's situation to her for now. It'll only make things harder for her."
"Jasper…" Rachel's voice trembled, her worry spilling into her words.
He silenced her with a gentle kiss on her cheek. "Leave Noah's situation to me. I'll figure it out. Trust me."
Before she could protest further, Jasper stood and headed for the door.
When Rachel collected herself and rushed downstairs, Jasper's car was already pulling out of the driveway, disappearing down the road.
Frustrated, Rachel pulled out her phone and dialed Noah's number. When a servant approached, guiding Ivy Morgan into the living room, the call hadn't even connected.
"Auntie…" Rachel lowered her phone, her voice tentative as she studied Ivy's expressionless face.
"Rachel," Ivy said, her tone sharp and controlled. "Come sit with me."
Rachel nodded and followed Ivy to the sofa, her unease growing with each step. She had never seen Ivy look so grave, her usual warmth replaced by a cold, calculating demeanor.
Once seated, Ivy wasted no time. "Rachel," she began bluntly, "my hearing may not be what it used to be, but I'm not deaf. Jasper told me you were discussing Silverstone's projects and stocks for business purposes, but I know he lied. Tell me the truth. Where has he gone? And what's this about selling Silverstone?"
Rachel's heart sank. Ivy's piercing gaze left no room for evasion. She took a deep breath and forced herself to remain calm and speak clearly. "Auntie, Noah is in trouble with Titans Group. They're demanding he pay five hundred million."
Ivy's eyes widened, her face turning pale. "Five hundred million?" she repeated, her voice trembling.
Rachel nodded, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. "Noah got involved in a project with them, which didn't go as planned. Now, they're holding him responsible for the losses."
Ivy's lips parted, but no sound came out. It was a long moment before she found her voice again. "He was supposed to be studying in the U.S. How did this happen?"
Rachel quietly explained the events leading up to the crisis, her words carefully yet honestly. By the time she finished, Ivy looked like the world's weight had settled on her shoulders.
"So…" Ivy's voice cracked slightly. "Jasper plans to sell Silverstone to cover Noah's debt?"
Rachel leaned forward, her voice firm with determination. "Auntie, even if Jasper plans to do that, I will never let him."