"Leo was talking about the design drawings. You know what kind of temper he has. He's really impatient." Rachel Saintclair looked up and put on her usual friendly smile, without any flaws or cracks visible.
Since she stepped forward to explain and it sounded quite reasonable, Ethan Winston, who was straightforward, believed it.
"Ah, so that's what it was. Brother, you really are something. Little sister - in - law was sick and couldn't even move, yet you were still pushing her! Besides, we don't talk about business at the dinner table!"
Ethan Winston's act of mediating made Leonard Winston feel a bit annoyed. His eyes were fixed on Rachel Saintclair, and this time Rachel Saintclair didn't avoid his gaze. Instead, she looked straight back at him with confidence.
After a while, Leonard Winston withdrew his gaze.
"Eat." These two simple words made Rachel Saintclair heave a sigh of relief. The fist she had secretly clenched also relaxed, and her palm was full of sweat.
She could surely tell the warnings and hints from Leonard Winston. Whether it was Henry Edwards or Ethan Winston, they were people Rachel Saintclair shouldn't and couldn't get involved with.
He was angry because of Henry Edwards. It was because he felt that Henry Edwards had touched what belonged to him and made him feel disgusted. He was even more furious that Rachel Saintclair was eager to find a new man as the end of the contract approached, and was being affectionate with him without any scruples.
As for Ethan Winston, his meaning was also clear. After the contract was terminated, Rachel Saintclair was not allowed to have any connection with the Winston family, especially not develop feelings for Ethan Winston.
Leonard Winston wasn't truly heartless. Though for the past three years he has been flighty and sometimes brash, when it came to their relationship, he had always been rather partial to Rachel Saintclair.
In order for her to be able to leave completely unscathed after three years and not have her life affected, this was one of the reasons why Leonard Winston had been constantly dating various female stars and even maintaining a weekly rumored affair with Elizabeth Collins.
However, his kindness didn't mean he would allow Rachel Saintclair to have any more to do with the Winston family, especially not get close to his younger brother, Ethan Winston.
To avoid possible consequences, it was necessary to nip everything in the bud.
The reason why the Winston Group had expanded so rapidly in just three years under Leonard Winston's leadership was also due to this principle of his.
During this meal, it was almost Ethan Winston talking non - stop. Since their last meeting, Ethan Winston had been wanting to talk to Leonard Winston. The two brothers hadn't seen each other for several years, so there was naturally a lot to say.
During this time, Rachel Saintclair just smiled in agreement. When Ethan Winston asked her something, she would reply briefly, but most of the time she chose to remain silent.
Leonard Winston glanced at her subtly a few times. He liked Rachel Saintclair's reaction. He just liked this woman's intelligence.
But... seeing her looking so aggrieved, somehow he felt as if he had bullied her.
"By the way, brother, Grandpa asked you to go back for a meal. When are you planning to go?"
Leonard Winston was stunned for a moment. "We'll see."
This answer was unexpected to both of them. Rachel Saintclair had thought that Leonard Winston would unconditionally meet all of Ethan Winston's requests.
"Hehe." Ethan Winston let out a mischievous laugh. "Brother, tell me the truth. Were you a little disappointed when you went to the hospital this time?"
"What do you mean?"
"You've been married for three years. When are you planning to have a baby?"
Leonard Winston was caught off - guard, and so was Rachel Saintclair. She almost choked. The two of them looked up at each other simultaneously, and somehow there was a momentary throb.
Rachel Saintclair immediately lowered her head, and then she heard Ethan Winston teasing in her ear, "She's blushing, she's blushing. Little sister - in - law is blushing."
Leonard Winston didn't say anything, but being teased like this by Ethan Winston made something that didn't exist in his heart suddenly become a matter of concern.
Naturally, he wouldn't have a child with Rachel Saintclair. But... he glanced at Rachel Saintclair again. She was blushing? Did that mean she wanted to?
The next day, Rachel Saintclair went back to work.
This time, Leonard Winston didn't stop her. Anyway, she was almost fully recovered. And after Ethan Winston's commotion yesterday, the inexplicable urge he had to keep Rachel Saintclair by his side had disappeared.
The goals he wanted to achieve had all been accomplished, and there was no point in continuing.
Rachel Saintclair returned to the company with a heroic determination, and as expected, she was surrounded.
"Rachel, why did you suddenly get sick? And we couldn't get through to your phone. We were all so worried!" Wendy Howard looked worried. As Rachel Saintclair's assistant, in just the one day she was absent, Wendy Howard had been driven crazy by countless plans and phone calls.
"Well, it really is like an illness striking like a mountain falling." Rachel Saintclair sighed. Looking at everyone gathered around her, she felt warm in her heart.
"Did anything extraordinary happen while I was away yesterday?"
"Of course there did!" Blair Bennett pushed Wendy Howard aside and squeezed to the front, her face flushed with excitement.
"Rachel, have you seen the news about Mr. Winston? He took a mysterious woman to the hospital in a very secretive way! He hid it so well that you could only see a leg and a section of hair!"
Rachel Saintclair, who was drinking water, choked on it upon hearing this.
However, the gossip queen didn't notice. She folded her arms and shook her head in admiration. "Tsk tsk tsk. In my opinion, maybe that woman is Mr. Winston's wife!"
"Cough, cough, cough..." Rachel Saintclair choked even harder.
"Rachel, what's wrong with you? Why are you so excited all of a sudden?" Wendy Howard quickly patted her back to help her breathe easier.
"How... how do you know that woman is Mr. Winston's wife?"
"Need I even guess? We can count every woman around Mr. Winston on our fingers! These women are all eager to get involved with Mr. Winston, especially Elizabeth Collins. But the one Mr. Winston treasures like this, besides the always - mysterious Mrs. Winston, who else could it be?"
Harrison Price, who usually wasn't very interested in entertainment news, also thought it made sense and nodded. "It seems that this Mrs. Winston is really liked by Mr. Winston. Otherwise, he wouldn't protect her like this."
Rachel Saintclair pouted. If they knew that she was the "much - favored" Mrs. Winston, they would be extremely shocked.
"I heard that it was because Mrs. Winston suddenly had a fever, so Mr. Winston rushed her to the hospital in a hurry."
"I heard she also sprained her ankle?"
"Even if it's a fever and a sprained ankle, isn't it a bit of an overreaction to send her to the hospital?"
Blair Bennett's eyes flickered. "Rachel, it seems that... you had a fever yesterday, right?"
Harrison Price added in a leisurely tone, "And it seems you also sprained your ankle..."
Rachel Saintclair slapped the document shut. "You all... have you finished your work?"
Blair Bennett's eyes rolled. "I remember Wendy has a lot to say. I'll go first. You two talk." She patted Wendy Howard's shoulder and then quickly fled.
Harrison Price also said he had some sample photos to take and left. Only Wendy Howard, who was caught in the cross - fire, was left standing there.
Rachel Saintclair looked at her, waiting for her to talk about that "thing".
"Uh..." Wendy Howard didn't expect these people to leave so quickly. The sudden change in the topic was too much for her to react to.
"Rachel, how is the additional order of the glamorous clothing going?"
Rachel Saintclair was taken aback. "Why are you bringing this up all of a sudden?"
"Yesterday when you were absent, Henry Edwards, the designer from Sunray Jewelry, his assistant was looking for you like crazy. First, he asked Vincent White and found out that you were on sick leave. Then he insisted on getting your phone number. Rachel, did Henry Edwards give you a hard time yesterday?"
Rachel Saintclair's heart skipped a beat. Henry Edwards... Why was he looking for her like crazy yesterday? Was it because he... saw that news?