Chapter 80 Almost Exposed
Joseph knew he'd almost caused a wreck just now. He let go of the wheel and nervously said, "Sorry, my bad."
Rachel shot him an annoyed look and sighed, "You really shouldn't be driving. You better explain your real identity to Ella yourself. I can't hire a driver like you."
"Come on, you can't just ditch me over one mistake," Joseph said with a cheeky grin.
Rachel chuckled, "Drive!"
Joseph shrugged and got back on the road, sneaking glances at her. "You just asked me who Z-H is, right?" he asked cautiously.
"Yeah," Rachel nodded.
Joseph's eyes darted around. "Why are you asking about him?"
Rachel lowered her eyelids, hiding her emotions. "It's nothing. I added him as a friend, and he helped me twice, so I wanted to know more about him. He said he was your friend, so I asked you," she replied faintly.
"I see," Joseph dared not look at her, afraid she'd see the guilt in his eyes. He lied smoothly, "He is my friend, but we're not that close. I don't even know his name. We've just had a few drinks together, and now he's gone abroad."
"I see," Rachel nodded. Going abroad meant she wouldn't see him. For a moment, she felt relieved. She was worried about running into him someday and making things awkward, especially since she often interacted with Joseph. Now that Z-H was abroad, she didn't have to worry. But for some reason, she felt a strange sense of loss.
Rachel looked out the window and said nothing.
Joseph let out a tiny sigh of relief, thinking about finding Michael later to get some perks. After all, he'd gone to great lengths to help Michael cover up his identity.
Half an hour later, they arrived at Starglow Valley Estates. Rachel got out of the car and hobbled into the building on two crutches.
As soon as she got out of the elevator, James, who was sitting in front of her apartment door, lit up and immediately stood up. "You're finally back. I've been waiting for you forever."
Then James looked at her foot and the crutches in surprise. "What happened to your foot?"
Rachel didn't answer but frowned at him. "Why are you here?"
James lowered his head and replied sullenly, "I had another fight with my mom. She wanted me to quit the basketball team, and I didn't want to, so I ran away."
Rachel sneered, "What do you take my place for? Every time you run away from home, you come here?"
"I have nowhere else to go," James said awkwardly. He didn't really know why he came to her place. He just knew that being here made him feel calm inside.
"Your family, the Smiths, have properties everywhere. Do you really have nowhere to go?" Rachel retorted as she took out her key. "Move, I need to open the door."
James stepped aside, making way for the door.
Rachel stepped forward to unlock the door, and he stood behind her, looking like he was ready to follow her in.
Rachel stopped unlocking the door and turned to look at him. She frowned. "You really plan to come in with me?"
"I told you, I have nowhere else to go. I'm staying here tonight," James insisted, looking down at her with a determined attitude.
Although he was only in his teens, he was already over six feet tall from playing basketball. Rachel had to look up to see his face.
"You can stay here, but why should I let you crash for free? Ten grand a night," Rachel said, making a money-counting gesture.
James's jaw dropped. "Ten grand? Are you serious? Why don't you just rob me?"
"Can't afford it? Then don't stay," Rachel said, spreading her hands like she couldn't care less.
James's face turned red with anger. "Who says I can't afford it? I just don't have the cash on me right now. I'll pay you next time, okay?"
"Nope, if you can't pay, then go back. I don't do credit, and why should I take in my enemy's son?" Rachel said, opening the door to go inside.
James's face darkened at the "enemy's son" comment, but he quickly composed himself and tried to follow her in.
Rachel immediately blocked the doorway. "I said, no money, no entry," she repeated firmly.
"I'm not leaving!" James glared at her through the crack in the door. "I know my mom was wrong. I'll give you extra next time as compensation," he insisted, his voice rising with frustration.
Rachel smiled, "No way! Six years of hurt can't be compensated with money."
"If that's not okay, then what do you want?" James's anger was palpable.
Rachel looked him square in the eye. "Simple, I want you to leave."
"I'm not leaving!" James insisted, his voice growing louder.
"Fine, then stay outside. Don't expect me to soften and let you in." Rachel's tone was resolute.
With that, she firmly closed the door, leaving James standing outside.
James stared at the door in disbelief, not expecting her to actually close it. For a moment, he felt a bit aggrieved and sat down on the ground in a huff, feeling both resentful of Rachel's coldness and a bit regretful, even reflective.
Reflecting on his behavior toward Rachel over the past six years, the more he thought about it, the worse he felt. Meanwhile, after entering the apartment, Rachel didn't leave but stood behind the door, watching through the peephole.
Seeing that James was really not leaving, she felt a headache coming on. Did the devil send James to torment her?
Rachel took out her phone and dialed Michael's number.
When Michael saw the caller ID, a strange light flashed in his eyes before he answered, "Hello?" Since the divorce, this was the first time Rachel had called him.
"James is at my place, Mr. Smith. Please come and take him back," Rachel said helplessly, looking at James sitting stubbornly on the doorstep.
Michael's brows furrowed slightly. "James went to see you again?"
"Yes, and I can't get him to leave," Rachel replied, her frustration evident in her tone.
"Got it, I'll be right there," Michael responded. He pursed his lips and walked toward the office door.
Rachel said no more and hung up, glancing once more through the peephole at James, who remained resolute outside her door.
About an hour later, Michael appeared at Rachel's apartment door.
"Michael!" James, seeing Michael, looked like a mouse seeing a cat. He quickly stood up from the ground and asked in surprise, "Why are you here?"
"To take you home," Michael said, glancing at the door behind him.
James didn't dare to disobey and pressed with his head down, "Michael, how did you know I was here?"
Michael didn't answer and stepped forward to knock on the door.
The door quickly opened, and Rachel stood leaning against the shoe cabinet, crutches under her arms.
Seeing this, a barely noticeable concern flashed in Michael's eyes, and his tone softened a bit. "How's your foot?"
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