In the evening, at the barbecue stand, Rachel Saintclair and Camille Dubois were enjoying a hearty meal together again.
If it were Leonard Winston, he would definitely not allow her to eat in such a place. It was simply beneath his status. However, the chances of them being out in public together were almost zero, so she didn't really care whether he would agree or not.
There was one difference, though. If Camille Dubois was around, Leonard Winston might perhaps agree to have a casual meal together. After all, it was Camille Dubois who had brought the two of them together in the first place.
"I don't think it's a good idea for you to keep avoiding this. Sooner or later, your relationship will be exposed in front of Leonard Winston," Camille Dubois said as she carefully picked the fish bones for Rachel Saintclair. "And from what Wendy Howard said, it seems that Henry Edwards was eager to find you after seeing the news. He might have found out about your relationship with him."
Rachel Saintclair felt a headache coming on. When she met Henry Edwards again, she had already lost her composure. What happened that day was too sudden. Whether it was Henry Edwards' impulsive kiss, the shock of bumping into Leonard Winston, or the news about "Mrs. Winston" that had broken out in the past few days.
It was all like being on a roller - coaster, and once on it, she had to face the risk of a disastrous end at any time.
It was really too thrilling.
"And ever since Leonard Winston's younger brother came back, things seem to be getting even more chaotic," Rachel Saintclair said gloomily, poking at the fish.
Camille Dubois' eyes lit up. "You mean, Ethan Winston?"
"Yeah," Rachel Saintclair nodded. "By the way, why didn't you introduce Ethan Winston to me back then? That guy is surely better than his brother."
Camille Dubois laughed. "You were already down and out, with no way out. How could you still be picky? Did you have the right to choose? You should be extremely grateful that Leonard Winston took you in."
Rachel Saintclair nodded. She had to admit this.
Camille Dubois quietly lit a cigarette for herself. "Ethan Winston went to the United States for further study back then, so you naturally couldn't meet him. Even if you had, he wouldn't have married you. You and Leonard Winston need each other, and there's no more suitable match than this."
"I know," Rachel Saintclair sighed. "But the problem now is that Ethan Winston thinks we have a great relationship! He even asked... asked when we were going to have a baby."
Just thinking about this made Rachel Saintclair look frustrated. Camille Dubois found it amusing. "That guy still has such a personality. But seriously, how did you manage to make Mr. Winston so angry?"
So Rachel Saintclair told Camille Dubois about the incident where she was kissed by Henry Edwards at Grove Restaurant and was accidentally seen by Leonard Winston. After hearing this, Camille Dubois was silent for a while. Then she said, "Mr. Winston still takes good care of you."
Rachel Saintclair deeply agreed.
"But the problem now is that I don't want to be caught between Henry Edwards and him. They already know about each other, and I have to finish the Majesty project. Otherwise, I can't terminate the marriage contract with him, and I can't get the money either."
The three months that she had thought would pass easily had become extremely difficult because of Henry Edwards' appearance.
Camille Dubois took the last puff of her cigarette and stubbed it out on the table. She picked up the glass and drained the beer in one go. "In my opinion, for a situation like yours, being indecisive will only make things more complicated. If you want Henry Edwards to give up, you have to cut the Gordian knot."
"How?"
A professional smile curved Camille Dubois' lips. The emotional anchor, known for her sharpness, seemed to have a divine glow behind her at this moment.
However, although she was smiling, there was a coldness and detachment in her eyes. "It's simple. You and Leonard Winston should invite Henry Edwards to have a meal together."
Rachel Saintclair's face darkened immediately. "Me and him invite Henry Edwards to dinner? Am I crazy?"
Rachel Saintclair certainly didn't dare to actually invite Henry Edwards out for a meal. Just imagining that scene made her tremble with fear. Henry Edwards would probably cause a huge commotion, and Leonard Winston, while remaining silent, would not only ruin Sunray Jewelry but also make sure Henry Edwards would never get back on his feet.
"I shouldn't have come to you!" Rachel Saintclair glared at Camille Dubois irritably.
Camille Dubois laughed. Her smile was relaxed, and she found it very interesting to see Rachel Saintclair getting worked up. "Come on, stop thinking about it. Just let things take their course. Three - tenths depends on human effort, and seven - tenths on fate. No matter how much you avoid it, if fate wants you to meet, it will happen sooner or later. Well, at worst, you'll lose both the man and the money. But don't worry, I'll get drunk with you countless times!"
Rachel Saintclair felt a bit disappointed. Although she knew Camille Dubois was trying to comfort her, she also knew in her heart that a confrontation between Henry Edwards and Leonard Winston was inevitable. Even without her in the middle, the two companies had cooperation!
"Sigh..." Rachel Saintclair vented her frustration by poking at the fish. She had no other choice but to do as Camille Dubois said and try to delay things as long as possible.
After having dinner with Camille Dubois and strolling around for a while, Rachel Saintclair finally dragged her tired body and mind back home.
When she got home, she found that Leonard Winston wasn't back.
It was quite common for him not to come back. Anyway, this wasn't his permanent residence. In fact, Rachel Saintclair was glad when he wasn't around. She could enjoy the peace and quiet by herself.
After taking a bath, she randomly picked a book from the study to read. But after reading a few pages, she closed the book. She was so distracted that she couldn't focus on anything.
She fiddled with her phone for a long time. Finally, with a sigh, she called Leonard Winston.
She felt so stuffy in her heart and needed someone to talk to. Unfortunately, she sadly realized that besides Camille Dubois, she couldn't find anyone else to have a chat with.
"Yes?" came Leonard Winston's indifferent voice from the other end of the phone. His voice was magnetic and melodious, so pleasant that it was like being immersed in a beautiful melody.
"Leo..." Rachel Saintclair called out softly and coquettishly, but then she fell silent.
"What's wrong?" Leonard Winston raised his eyebrows slightly. This little woman rarely called him easily. Now, with such an attitude, a faint smile unconsciously appeared on his lips. "Miss me?"
Rachel Saintclair lowered her eyes, biting her delicate lips repeatedly with her white teeth. Her tender lips were being tortured to look pitiful. If Leonard Winston could see this scene, it would probably set off a passionate storm.
She really wanted to test how Leonard Winston would react if he knew about her relationship with Henry Edwards, and what would happen if he knew that Henry Edwards wasn't someone she had just met. But then she thought that the matter had just settled down, and she shouldn't stir him up at this critical moment.
"Um..." In the end, Rachel Saintclair gave up and answered him obediently. Her voice sounded a bit aggrieved, as if it was really because Leonard Winston had neglected her.
Leonard Winston's eyes became even deeper. The smile gradually reached his eyes. "I'm at Grandpa's place. Do you want to come?"
Rachel Saintclair understood. So he had gone to see George Winston.
"No, it's too late. I have to go to work tomorrow," Rachel Saintclair said, her tone relaxing a bit. "I just missed my handsome husband when I got home. Since you're in Central Sea Village, I won't disturb you guys."
After saying that, she was about to hang up the phone, but it seemed that Leonard Winston was in a good mood. "Ethan Winston has been pestering me to ask you to come over. If you're not sleepy, come on over."
Cough, cough...
Rachel Saintclair almost choked on her own saliva.
Yesterday he had warned her in a sarcastic way not to get involved with other men, especially his younger brother. But today, he was inviting her so warmly and even specifically mentioned Ethan Winston.
There must be something fishy!
Leonard Winston was as cunning as a fox. She couldn't take any of his words lightly. They were all traps.
"No, no. Maybe some other time," Rachel Saintclair tried to make her laughter sound natural. "Well, I'm going to sleep now. Good night, muah..." With that, she quickly hung up the phone, determined not to give Leonard Winston a chance to say anything more.