Chapter 6
“Rachel, that’s enough, Andrew said. “I’m running out of patience. This is your last chance.”
If Rachel still had tears, it was only because she’d given Jennie such a cold, selfish father. She stood by the bed, completely still, pushing Andrew’s already thin patience to the edge.
Andrew didn’t understand how the kind girl he’d once known had turned into this crazy, cruel” woman. He kept threatening her. “Rachel, you’d better think this through!”
“Mr. Zevon. Chloe suddenly spoke up from the hospital bed.
After years of teaching, Chloe had a quiet authority that was hard to ignore. Andrew had to hold back his anger for a moment and looked at her with a frown.
Andrew showing up and causing trouble had already made Chloe very worried. Rachel didn’t want her involved, but Chloe gently patted Rachel’s hand, giving her a look that told her not to be afraid.
“You’re her teacher? Then I’m sure you know what it means to set an example,” Andrew said sharply. “Rachel’s acting crazy and mean- are you really planning to cover for her?”
Chloe smiled calmly. “Mr. Zevon, Rachel already said she wants a divorce. Stop making a scene. Please leave.”
Andrew laughed bitterly, clearly annoyed. He looked like he still wanted to argue, but Rachel cut straight to the point. “If you don’t go after Yedda now, she might really leave with someone else.”
Andrew’s face turned ashen. He didn’t say another word and finally walked out of the room.
As the elevator doors opened. Charles appeared–tall, sharp, and wearing a black coat. He looked calm and cool.
Charles stood inside the elevator, raising an eyebrow before his expression softened. He looked straight at Andrew without flinching.
Andrew’s face got even more grim. He couldn’t remember exactly who Charles was, but he looked annoyingly familiar.
They passed each other in silence.
As soon as Andrew got in the elevator, his phone rang. It was Courtney, Yedda’s best friend..
“Andrew, are you trying to break Yedda completely?” she snapped. “That evil woman Rachel won’t give Yedda a single break!”
Andrew sounded annoyed. “Cut the drama. Did you find the flight or not?”
Courtney sniffled. “CL5608. Go get her before it’s too late.”
Andrew hung up and rushed toward the airport.
But deep down, he wondered why he had come to the hospital first, instead of going straight to Yedda. He told himself it was just because Rachel was sneaky and he had to keep an eye on her.
‘Rachel, this time, I’ll make sure you pay for what you’ve done, he thought, gripping the steering wheel tighter.
Not long after Andrew left, the hospital room door opened again.
Rachel looked up, her expression dark. But to her surprise, it was Charles walking in with a briefcase.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, clearly surprised.
Charles was dressed formally–black suit, gold–rimmed glasses, broad shoulders, slim waist, and honestly, very handsome.
Pushing his glasses up his nose, he said, “I was visiting a client and ran into Mr. Zevon. Thought I’d stop by.”
Thinking of Andrew’s earlier threats, Rachel grew a little nervous. “You two didn’t…?”
Charles gave her a small, unreadable smile. “What, are you worried?”
Rachel didn’t know how to respond to that smile–it made her flustered.
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But Charles seemed completely calm. He pulled out a card and offered it to Chloe. “Mrs. Anderson, it’s an honor. I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m Rachel’s lawyer.”
Chloe took the card and looked at the gold lettering. She smiled slightly. “Already a partner? This young man’s got a bright future.”
After Charles explained things clearly, Chloe felt much more at ease. They chatted a bit, and when the nurse came to check the room, Rachel and Charles quietly left together.
While waiting for the elevator, Rachel couldn’t help but ask, “Mr. Lopez, were you really here to see a client?”
It was something she’d been wondering, and the words just came out. Charles didn’t seem surprised by her directness. He answered honestly, “Why don’t you come with me and find out?”
Rachel waved him off. “No need. I just thought it was strange running into you here.”
“I came to see you, actually,” Charles said without dodging the truth. “You’ve probably guessed it already, Rachel. Let’s make a deal. Let me be your divorce lawyer–I’ll help you win this case. In return, you’ll owe me a favor.”
“Mr. Lopez, a senior partner like you doesn’t need more cases,” Rachel said politely. She knew this one wouldn’t be easy, especially with Andrew’s reputation.
know what you’re thinking.” Charles replied. “But don’t worry. I know Andrew. I know the Zevon family. This case will get a lot of attention. Winning it would do a lot for my name.”
He paused, then added, “It could help you too. I’m sure giving up your career in archaeology wasn’t easy. Winning this case might give you a new start–and some spotlight.”
“Mr. Lopez, you sound very confident,” Rachel said.
“I am. Think it over,” Charles replied.
The elevator doors opened, and Charles gave a polite, gentlemanly gesture for her to go first.
Rachel stepped inside. Just before the doors closed, she reached out and stopped them. She turned to him, serious. “Mr. Lopez, I don’t doubt your skills. I’ll hire you for this case. But…”
She took a breath and continued, “I don’t just want to win. I want to destroy Yedda and Andrew’s reputation.”
Her words didn’t surprise Charles. He smiled slightly and raised one eyebrow. “Alright,” he said. “You got it.”
At the airport, Andrew found Yedda holding Tracy, looking all pitiful and teary–eyed. He took a few steps toward her, then suddenly stopped.
“If you don’t go after Yedda now, she might really leave with someone else.” Rachel’s words popped into his head, and for a second, he wondered who that “someone else” could be.
But he quickly brushed the thought aside. He didn’t believe anything Rachel said. If she could force Yedda to leave, she could just as easily lie about her.
“Andrew…” Yedda ran into his arms, crying like her whole world had collapsed. “I thought I’d never see you again. I was so scared.”
“Relax. I’m here. Nothing’s gonna happen to you,” Andrew said.
“No, just let me go,” Yedda sobbed. “I don’t want to get in the way of your relationship anymore. Rachel already hates me… she won’t let this go. She’s your wife, and I’m just a single mom with nothing. I can’t fight her.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t let her hurt you again,” Andrew said firmly.
On the way back, Yedda wiped her red eyes and quietly asked, “Andrew, could you take me to the Lane Group charity gala next week?”
Andrew paused, not answering right away.
Yedda added softly, “It’s just… I haven’t been seen in public since I had Tracy. But I really want to start over in my career. I heard the boss of Lane Group is also an investor in Starlight Media. I want to try my luck.”
Seeing Andrew still hesitating, Yedda gently grabbed his wrist and looked up at him with watery eyes. “Andrew, I want to act again. I want
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to be someone. Will you help me… please?”
It wouldn’t be hard to help her. But Andrew was worried. Taking Yedda to such a public event might give people the wrong idea.
