Chapter 76 Elevator Accident
David rubbed his temples, feeling a pounding headache.
The elevator arrived. Rachel stepped in first, with Michael and David right behind her.
David instinctively moved to the corner, trying to blend in.
The elevator doors closed and started to descend. Suddenly, the lights flickered, and there was a buzzing sound.
David looked up, swallowed hard, and asked nervously, "Is everything okay?"
Just as he finished, the elevator jolted. Rachel screamed, her face going pale. She lost her balance in her high heels and twisted her ankle, hearing a sickening pop. The pain made her break out in a cold sweat, her face twisted in agony.
As she was about to collapse, an arm wrapped around her waist. "What are you doing?" Rachel asked, her voice strained from the pain.
Michael held her close, her back pressed against his chest. "Don't move, lean on me," he said firmly.
Rachel tried to push him away, but Michael's voice came again, more commanding this time. "If you don't want to hurt your other foot, do what I tell you."
Rachel stopped struggling, realizing that he had noticed her injury. Feeling conflicted, she finally leaned into his embrace. She didn't want to end up in a wheelchair.
A couple of minutes later, the elevator calmed down and reached the first floor. The doors opened, and light flooded in, easing Rachel's worry.
David straightened his clothes, stepped out first, and held the door open.
Rachel looked down at the hand still around her waist, her eyes conflicted. "Mr. Smith, can you let go now?" she asked.
Michael pulled his hand back. "Sorry."
Rachel leaned against the elevator wall to steady herself and shook her head. "Mr. Smith, no need to apologize. I should be thanking you."
"No need to thank me," Michael said, his eyes darkening as he looked at her pale face. He noticed her swollen ankle and felt a pang of concern. "How's your foot?"
Rachel glanced down and gently moved her ankle. The pain made her groan softly, break out in a cold sweat, and breathe rapidly. She forced a smile. "It's fine."
Michael saw the sweat on her forehead and frowned. He bent down and scooped her up, walking out.
Rachel was stunned and struggled. "Michael, what are you doing? Put me down!"
Michael frowned. "Don't move, you'll fall!"
Rachel's cheeks flushed, either from anger or embarrassment, her body stiffening. "Then put me down."
"Can you walk?" Michael shot back, glancing at her foot.
Rachel was momentarily speechless, then snorted. "That's none of your business."
"This is a hotel under Smith Corporation. You got hurt here, and as the boss, I'm responsible," Michael explained.
David followed behind, his mind racing. In the elevator, he had seen Michael's actions. Despite being unsteady himself, Michael had done his best to protect Rachel. He was clearly concerned about her injury. Maybe Michael wasn't as indifferent to Rachel as he seemed.
"Go grab some ice packs," Michael told David.
David snapped out of it and nodded. "On it, Mr. Smith."
A few minutes later, David returned with the ice packs and handed them to Michael.
Michael took them, sat next to Rachel, and started to remove her shoe.
Rachel quickly stopped him. "Mr. Smith, I can do it myself." She didn't get why he was being so nice and didn't want to think about it.
In the past, his actions might have made her emotional, but not anymore. Her heart had long since cooled, and his sudden kindness wasn't going to change that.
Rachel moved her foot away, took off her high heel, and applied the ice pack herself.
Michael watched, his lips pressed into a thin line, slightly annoyed by her resistance. Her deliberate distancing was getting under his skin, though he couldn't quite figure out why.
"Ms. Williams, I'm here to pick you up," a familiar voice called out.
Rachel and Michael looked up to see Joseph swinging his car keys as he walked over.
Michael's eyes narrowed, glancing between Joseph and Rachel. His brows furrowed. Why was Joseph picking her up? When did they get so close?
Joseph was also surprised to see Michael. He teased, "Michael, what are you doing here with Ms. Williams? Are you two secretly dating?"
Rachel rolled her eyes at Joseph. "Don't be ridiculous. I'm here for business and just happened to run into Mr. Smith."
Joseph stroked his chin, looking skeptical. "Really?"
Michael stayed silent, which seemed to confirm Rachel's story.
Seeing this, Joseph lost interest and pouted. Then he noticed Rachel's swollen ankle. "Ms. Williams, what happened to your foot?"
"I twisted it," Rachel said casually as she put her shoe back on.
Joseph clicked his tongue. "That looks bad, probably hurt the bone."
"Then your next task is to take me to the hospital," Rachel said, looking directly at him.
Joseph struck a loyal pose. "Yes, Ms. Williams!"
Rachel played along, reaching out to him. "What are you waiting for? Come help me."
Joseph chuckled. "Coming!" He stepped forward and carefully helped Rachel up.
Michael's face darkened as he watched, his lips pressed into a thin line, a hint of coldness in his eyes. Seeing Joseph's hand around Rachel's waist only made his irritation grow.
Rachel and Joseph were oblivious to Michael's change in demeanor. Rachel was focused on her injured foot; the pain was too intense for her to think about anything else. Joseph was focused on supporting her, making sure she didn't fall.
They didn't even say goodbye, heading straight for the hotel entrance.
Michael watched them leave, his expression unreadable, his thoughts a mystery.
"Find out if that elevator incident was an accident or sabotage," Michael ordered coldly as he stood up. With Smith Corporation's rise, they were bound to step on some toes. Someone might be targeting him.
"Yes, Mr. Smith," David replied immediately.
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