Chapter 20
"Miss Williams, don't push it," Mandy snapped, trying to keep her cool. "My dad already apologized for the video. Why can't you just let it go? And now you want the engagement necklace my boyfriend gave me?"
Rachel let out a cold laugh. "I just divorced Mr. Smith, and now you're with him. Anyone would think you've been eyeing him all along, dying to be his wife!"
Mandy shot back, "What are you even talking about? It was you who—"
Rachel cut her off. "And Miss Brown, I don't want to take anything. You insisted on giving me a thank-you gift, and I just happened to like the 'Azure Heart.'"
Mandy was too mad to speak, her face going pale as she bit her lip.
John, watching the whole thing, felt a surge of satisfaction and almost wanted to clap for Rachel. "Mr. Smith, say something. Or are you just as spineless?" John's voice sliced through the tension.
Michael stayed quiet, his eyes narrowing before he reluctantly handed the jewelry box with the 'Azure Heart' to Rachel.
Mandy grabbed his sleeve. "Michael, this is the necklace you were going to propose to me with. You can't just give it away."
"Today is the party Mr. Brown threw to celebrate your recovery and discharge from the hospital. Let's not ruin the mood," Michael said, trying to calm her down. "It's just a necklace. I'll have David find a better one to propose to you with later."
The guests buzzed with admiration. "Miss Brown is so lucky. Mr. Smith can get her anything, no matter how rare!"
Their mocking disdain for Rachel spread through the crowd.
Hearing Michael's promise, Mandy's expression softened. "I trust you."
Listening to their conversation, Rachel felt it was all so ironic. She had been married to Michael for six years, and he had never bought her any jewelry or even a piece of clothing. The wedding ring was something she had bought herself. Now, seeing how he treated Mandy, she felt like a joke.
Suppressing the bitterness in her heart, Rachel took the jewelry box and mocked, "Such a rare piece of jewelry, and you just give it away. You really spoil Miss Brown, don't you?"
Rachel's words made Michael uncomfortable. He said coldly, "The jewelry is yours now, and Mr. Brown has apologized. Rachel, let's drop the issue with the video."
"Fine!" Rachel agreed quickly. She picked up a glass of red wine from the table, raised it toward Michael, "I wish Mr. Smith and Miss Brown a long and happy life together."
With that, she downed the wine in one gulp, set the glass down, and turned to leave.
"Mr. Smith, I should thank you too," John said with a grin. "If it weren't for your indifference, Rachel wouldn't have come to her senses! Thanks for giving up on Rachel; she deserves someone better."
Robert picked up a butterfly-shaped clutch that Rachel had forgotten on the table and said, "Let's go."
"Okay!" John put his arm around Robert's shoulder as they left, complaining, "The air here is so polluted, staying even a second longer makes me feel sick!"
Watching them leave, Michael felt an inexplicable sense of irritation that he couldn't shake off.
Once in the car, Rachel closed her eyes briefly, but the moment of peace was interrupted as John and Robert climbed back in.
"Rachel, you were amazing! Mandy's face was priceless; she looked like she wanted to tear you apart," John laughed as he started the car.
Robert handed Rachel the clutch. "You forgot this."
Rachel sighed, taking it. "Left it behind in my rush."
Robert glanced at the jewelry box beside her. "Rachel, do you still care about Michael? Is that why you took the 'Azure Heart,' to mess with him and Mandy?"
John's eyes met Rachel's in the rearview mirror, waiting for her answer.
"Care about Michael?" Rachel scoffed playfully. "We're divorced. Mandy's just using this to distract from the video scandal. Plus," she opened the jewelry box and showed Robert the sparkling gem inside, "this 'Azure Heart,' designed by master K, is worth over a hundred million. Who says no to that kind of money?"
John's eyes widened. "A hundred million? Rachel, you're incredible. Michael took a huge hit!"
"I know I'm incredible," Rachel said proudly, closing the jewelry box and tossing it to him. "Hook me up with a reliable buyer for this, aim for a hundred million dollars. Whatever's left over after that is yours as a bonus for your efforts."
John grinned. "Deal!"
Seeing how composed Rachel was, Robert relaxed. "I'm glad you're handling this well, Rachel."
"Rachel, how about I find you a new boyfriend?" John said with a grin, glancing at Rachel through the rearview mirror. "Tell me your requirements, or you could even consider me. My mom likes you a lot..."
"No way!" Robert interrupted before John could finish.
"Why not?" John boasted, "I'm not only handsome but also talented. We grew up together; I'm the best candidate to be her husband!"
Robert's demeanor turned tense. He retorted, "You don't know how to take care of people."
"How do you know if I can take care of people or not? You haven't lived with me!" John shot back, looking at Robert's expression through the rearview mirror, and suddenly smirked, "Do you like Rachel too?"
Rachel was stunned. When she realized what was happening, she immediately reached out to hit John, "Shut up!"
John said with a mischievous grin, "Robert, are you a virgin?"
Robert felt embarrassed by John's question. He muttered, "Yes."
John pressed, "Do you have feelings for Rachel?"
Seeing John getting more and more out of line and not shutting up, Rachel noticed a chocolate bar on the center console. She quickly unwrapped it and shoved the whole thing into John's mouth.
John almost choked on the large piece of chocolate.
"He's just like that, talks without thinking," Rachel said to Robert. "Don't pay him any mind, and don't take his words to heart."
Robert nodded, his gaze still fixed on Rachel's face. After a moment of hesitation, he was about to say something to Rachel when his phone suddenly vibrated in his pocket.
He took out his phone and glanced at it, his expression changing slightly. He moved to the other side of the car window and lowered his voice, "What's up?"
After finishing the call, Robert said to John, "I have something to take care of. Drop me off at the next intersection."
"Was that your agent?" Rachel asked. "Why don't you let John drive you there?"
Robert smiled gently, his voice warm and pleasant. "No need. My car is on the way. I want John to take you home early so you can rest."
Rachel didn't argue further and nodded.
As Robert exited the car, Rachel watched him, sensing something unspoken. His tall, defined figure, standing resolute by the roadside, triggered a rush of memories. For a fleeting moment, she saw Michael from eight years ago.
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