Chapter 132:


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    But Rachel still feared Caden deeply, a weight she couldn''t easily shake off. Joshua was despicable, but Caden… he was a different kind of ruthless. If she and Randolph were caught up in one of their schemes, the path forward would be nothing short of treacherous.


    “Randolph, can’t we find another way?” she pleaded, gripping his arm tightly, her voice shaking with despair. “This deal… isn’t worth the risk we’re taking.”


    Randolph’s expression darkened, his patience wearing thin. Her tearful pleas grated on his nerves and he couldn''t help butsh out at her. “You have no say in this matter!”


    The next instant, he pped Rachel, knocking her off her chair. She fell to the floor with a thud, a muffled moan escaping her lips.


    Her side ached, but she suppressed any sound, knowing she shouldn''t scream. Embarrassment burned her cheeks as she slowly stood up, thankful there was no one else in the private room to witness her humiliation.


    He slowly sat back in his chair, his gaze cast down, his spirits crushed. He had long since grown ustomed to submission, and with such serious matters at hand he dared not provoke Randolph any further.


    Yet as she sat silently, he continued to berate her. “This is all your fault!” I have barked.


    Rachel''s chest tightened. How could she me her?


    “My fault?” she repeated incredulously, her voice a mixture of pain and disbelief. “I didn''t do anything.”


    Randolph''s taunt cut through her like a knife. "If you hadn''t fought with Alicia, none of this would have gotten out of hand."


    “Randolph!” Rachel''s voice rose with a spark of defiance, her frustration boiling over. “It was you who said you couldn''t stand Alicia and wanted to teach her a lesson! I tried to stop you, but you wouldn''t listen. Now that things have exploded, you''re ming me.”


    “I told you to teach him a lesson, yes,” Randolph growled, eyes narrowed. “But why did you have to involve Joshua?”


    Rachel''s gaze wavered, flickering with guilt.


    She had told Joshua, thinking it would further humiliate Alicia. Given Alicia and Joshua''s bitter divorce, she thought he would take pleasure in her suffering. But instead, Joshua still harbored feelings for Alicia, and his anger turned on Randolph, avenging his ex-wife.


    His n had failed miserably.


    Yet, despite the oue, she couldn''t shake the feeling of having been wronged. “I did it for you,” she whispered, her voice shaking with emotion. “I never wanted things to turn out this way. I''m upset too, Randolph. Why don’t you realize that?”


    Randolph snorted in disdain. “You''re useless. All those other men… at least their wives are by their side. And what do I have? “A shitty wife.”


    Rachel felt utterly humiliated, her cheeks burning as if they had been pped by invisible hands. Her family was not poor, but in recent years their fortune had dwindled. The stability they enjoyed had crumbled like loose stones. Without the safety of a powerful alliance, she lived in constant fear of being slighted by the imposing Gray family.


    For years, she had swallowed every insult, every condescending nce, trying to maintain herposure. But tonight, something inside her snapped, and she couldn''t take it anymore. She ran from the room, covering her face with trembling hands, but her burst of impulsive courage vanished as almost quickly as it hade.


    Once outside the hotel, the cold, biting wind blew through her, leaving herpletely sober. The thought of the Gray family''s downfall filled her with dread. The judgment of these high society women, these well-groomed vultures, would be swift and merciless.


    For so long, she had basked in the glow of attention, smiling despite the sting of his snide remarks. Losing her dignity now would be unbearable, it would be like stripping away the fabric that held her together. Without it, she felt as if she could end her miserable existence on this earth.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    Tears filled her eyes, but she swallowed them back, burying her grievances deep within. Her mind raced and she was already formting a n to help Randolph out of the abyss.


    Joshua''s relentless attacks were all because of Alicia. Maybe if he could make peace with her, another path would open up.


    As she hailed a cab, she didn''t notice Caden''s ck car pulling into the hotel''s driveway.


    Caden glimpsed her departure, but felt no pity: Rachel was little more than a temporary inconvenience in his world. With a disdainful look, he continued on his way.


    Inside the dimly lit private room, Randolph''s frustration hung in the air like thick smoke. He raised his ss to Caden twice in a row, his shaking hands betraying his despair.


    It wasn''t just a toast, it was a plea for help, ast hold on what dignity he had left. Then, with bitter venom in his voice, Randolph cursed Joshua''s name.


    “I helped him so much then,” Randolph snapped, his eyes shining with indignation. “And now I''ve fallen right into his trap! “I never thought he’d turn on me like that.”


    Caden took a slow, measured sip of his wine, remaining impassive. Joshua had struck the first blow, setting off the chain of events that led to Randolph''s slow copse.


    But Caden knew the truth: Joshua''s actions had only cracked the surface. It was Caden himself who dealt the death blow to Randolph''s finances, quietly dismantling his empire from within. Randolph had no idea who was the real mastermind behind his downfall, and he still believed Joshua was to me for it all.


    “Three hundred million dors?” Caden mused, setting down his ss. “That''s chump change to me. But tell me, Mr. Gray, what are you going to offer to prove you''re serious about this deal?”


    Randolph''s eyes were bright with despair, bloodshot from sleepless nights and endless scheming. With shaking hands, he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a worn document, its edges slightly frayed. I have passed it across the table to Caden.


    “This…this is Joshua’s secret,” Randolph said, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. He leaned in, eager to fan the mes of Caden''s well-known grudge against Joshua. “Mr. “Ward, use it as you see fit.”


    Caden picked up the document, rubbing his thumb across its surface. With a satisfied smile, I put the document away. Randolph, knowing the deal was sealed, exhaled deeply. A weight had finally been lifted from his shoulders.


    For the first time in days, he was able to eat with ease, savoring each bite as if it were the first proper meal he had had in an eternity.


    His eyes scanned the table and settled on Caden, who stood stock still, barely touching his te. A sh of curiosity crossed Randolph''s mind. “Mr. Ward,” he asked, frowning slightly, “don’t you like the food?”


    Caden chuckled softly, a mischievous smile curling the corners of his lips. “I’m saving my appetite for something a little more… specialter.”


    Meanwhile, Rachel''s frustration grew as she repeatedly dialed Alicia''s number, only to have the calls go unanswered. Determined, she set her jaw and took a cab straight to the Yates mansion. With the Yates family involved, she was sure Alicia wouldn''t ignore her in person.


    As luck would have it, Joshua was home that day.


    Rachel''s presence in high society had always been acknowledged, so Shelia greeted her with the usual formality. But Rachel refused the tea offered to her, and her eyes betrayed her impatience. She needed to speak privately with Joshua, there was no time for small talk.


    They headed to the terrace, away from prying ears.


    Inside, Shelia watched them from behind therge soundproof windows, a sick feeling brewing in her stomach. Something didn''t fit. What could they be arguing about that she, as Joshua''s mother, didn''t know about?


    Georgia, another spectator, approached her, her eyes full of curiosity. “What does he want with Mr. Yates?” she whispered.


    Shelia, worried, replied: "I don''t know, but it can''t be anything good."


    Georgia''s gaze narrowed on Rachel, noting the telltale signs of distress. “Her eyes are red and swollen from crying. Do you think… she and Mr. Yates…?” Georgia''s voice cracked, her face scrunched up in disbelief. “But she''s married and not exactly young anymore. Is she really Mr. Yates’ type?”


    Shelia looked at her sternly. “Don''t be ridiculous!” she snapped. “Enough of this nonsense.”


    Outside on the terrace, the tension was palpable. Rachel stood facing Joshua, her expression tense and resentful. Try as she might, she couldn''t muster even a smile in the presence of the man who had caused her so much pain and suffering. Taking a deep breath, she said curtly, "I want to see Alicia and apologize."


    Joshua''s lips twisted into a sneer, coldness shing in his eyes. “Excuse me?” I have repeated, his tone mocking.


    "How curious. Did it never ur to you that this could happen while you were busy tormenting her?"


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