Chapter 76:


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    The ce was upmarket, and the drinks here were far from cheap. Randolph wasn''t one to lend money to an old me. Chances were he would pay her back. By doing so, he would create a debt, so she would end up repaying, keeping them in constant contact.


    When Randolph noticed Rachel approaching, his expression immediately darkened. “What''s the problem?” he asked sharply. Rachel stepped forward, preventing the cashier frompleting the transaction.


    He spoke softly, “Have you made your choice?”


    Randolph, clearly annoyed, replied, “Yes, I’m about to pay. Why are you interfering?” He motioned for the cashier to proceed with the transaction, and the woman smirked.


    Alice looked at the scene, but she didn''t want to get involved in someone else''s emotional problems. So she quickly scanned the room and decided to head towards the back door.


    Caden noticed her and followed her with his eyes, curious about what she was doing. He watched as she approached a group of waiters and whispered something to them. At first, they were hesitant, shaking their heads, but then Alicia showed them something on her phone. Their faces lit up and they agreed enthusiastically.


    Caden smiled in satisfaction, intrigued by the turn of events.


    Rachel, who was usually passive at home, never dared to contradict Randolph. Shecked the courage to say that he spent money on his ex-girlfriend. Not wanting to seem awkward, she forced a smile and asked, “Did you choose the wine?”


    Randolph, feeling that his interruption was untimely, replied coldly, "If I hadn''t chosen it, why would I pay?"


    Rachel nced at her ex-girlfriend, who gave her a polite smile in return. At first nce, the woman seemed considerate and remained silent throughout the exchange. But only another woman would understand how cutting that smile really was.


    Rachel wasn''t concerned about money; she just didn''t want to give the woman any advantage.


    He put his arm around Randolph. “Let''s wait a minute. “I want a bottle too.”


    Randolph frowned. “Why didn''t you say so before?”


    “I just decided now,” she said, tightening her grip on his arm. “Can you help me choose, honey?”


    Without much thought, Randolph picked up a bottle. Rachel started to speak, but decided against it.


    The woman, noticing her hesitation, took the opportunity to provoke her further. She approached Randolph and said suddenly, "Wait a minute, Randolph."


    His expression softened and he turned to her. “What''s wrong? Have you seen any other wine you like?”


    With a feigned look of concern, she replied, “Maybe we shouldn''t buy the wine. It’s too expensive.”


    For a man like Randolph, suchments were insulting. “It''s not expensive at all,” he replied.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    “It''s tens of thousands of dors,” she said thoughtfully. “I feel like Mrs. Gray cares about this. “I’ll buy it next time.”


    Randolph immediately turned his attention to Rachel.


    Caught off guard, Rachel stammered, “I don''t care…” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she immediately regretted them. It could have been her chance to express how she really felt.


    The woman''s voice shook as she spoke. "When Mrs. Gray came in, she stared at me. She didn''t say anything, but I knew exactly what she meant. Randolph, I was wrong. I shouldn''t have asked you to pay the bill. She must have misunderstood something between us."


    Randolph''s expression hardened and he turned to Rachel.


    "Did you re at her?"


    Rachel looked up, sadness in her eyes. “No, I didn''t look at her.”


    “So why did he make it up? Why would he lie for no reason?” His voice turned stern. “How many times do I have to exin myself? We''re just friends now. Nothing else is going on. Why can’t you let go of this jealousy?”


    He made a dramatic gesture with his hand, went to buy several more bottles for his ex-girlfriend and finished the purchase. Rachel no longer cared about the price. All she wanted was to clear her name.


    Without hesitation, he quickly approached the woman.


    "I haven''t done anything. Why are you using me of something like that?"


    As soon as Rachel spoke, the woman''s expression changed and without warning, she screamed and fell to the ground.


    Rachel stood frozen, unable to move.


    Randolph came running up, shouting, “Did you push her?”


    Rachel paled, her words catching in her throat. “I don''t…


    Her silence only fueled Randolph''s frustration. He knelt down and helped the woman to her feet.


    Tears were streaming down the woman''s cheeks. "Mrs. Gray, I already told Randolph that he didn''t have to buy the wine. Why do you keep treating me like this?"


    Randolph''s anger red. He felt humiliated by the scene Rachel had created in front of everyone. His rage consumed him and he raised his hand, ready to strike her.


    Rachel instinctively raised her arms to protect herself.


    Suddenly, a loud sound echoed through the air.


    Someone had been hit.


    The room fell silent and all eyes turned to the source of the sound.


    Even Randolph stood there, momentarily confused. He had already stopped, his hand suspended in the air, deciding not to hit Rachel in front of everyone.


    He hadn''t hit her.


    So where was the sounding from?


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