Chapter 10

The corners of Rachel’s lips stretched into a smile as she stared at them, saying with feigned confusion, “What did you say just now?”

Realization dawned upon Samantha that Rachel was deaf and couldn’t hear a word of what they said earlier.

Samantha didn’t actually mind Rachel knowing the truth, but right now was a critical period. If Rachel were to discover their affair, ask for a divorce, and drag William to court, she would have the right to half of his assets.

Samantha forced a smile and said, “Nothing. We were just talking about the LS proposal. William said that it looked very much like something you would write.”

The smile on her face looked so mild and harmless.

“I was just thinking, we’re all in the same company. Why would you stand on Mr. Hunt’s side? Wouldn’t that be helping our enemy?”

“Yes, I wrote the proposal,” Rachel admitted calmly.

Samantha covered her mouth in shock and yelped, “What did you say?! Rachel, you wrote the LS proposal? You’re helping Tyler Hunt? Is it really as the rumors claim–that you and Mr. Hunt are…”

Rachel furrowed her brows as her tone turned somber, “Ms. Judd, don’t believe everything you hear. There’s nothing between me and Tyler Hunt!”

Compared to William and Samantha, her dealings with Tyler were at the very least kept strictly work-related. What was more, she had no feelings whatsoever for that man.

Samantha’s body started trembling at Rachel’s stern rebuke. Her eyes turned red, and she sniffed, looking as though she had suffered grievous indignation.

“Rachel, I trust fully in you and Mr. Hunt. Those are just rumors that outsiders are spreading. Why are you being so fierce to me?”

Samantha then turned to look at William, tears welling up in her eyes. She looked so pitiful that one couldn’t help but go soft on her.

Even Rachel found it difficult to remain unmoved, not to mention a man. She knew she was completely defeated with the advent of Samantha’s tears.

William flung the proposal in Rachel’s direction.

“So you really were the one! You’ve truly disappointed me. Everyone’s tongues are wagging about your relationship with Tyler. How will everyone in the company and business circles talk about me once this proposal is announced?”

Rachel opened her mouth, ready to rebut William; in the end, she said instead, “This project was my mom’s dying wish. It was the only thing I could do.”

William had been hell-bent on putting this project in Samantha’s hands, disregarding Rachel’s feelings and desires completely. For the sake of Samantha’s career prospects, he had no qualms about dismissing her mother’s final wish on her deathbed.

Since he gave her no way out, Rachel had to find a way out herself.

William used to treat Rachel so well, she subconsciously relied on him in all things. That was why she didn’t even realize it when William gave Samantha the rights to Project Oasis.

Rachel had imagined all sorts of possibilities. She wasn’t the only one eyeing the project, after all, and she kept her guard up against countless competitors.

Yet, she never expected her most beloved man to be the one to stab her in the back.

Chapter 11

William’s brows furrowed, the air around him turning icy. Rachel could sense the anger growing inside him.

“You could have told me if you really wanted the project. There was no need for you to do this. You should know the consequences!” he roared.

Rachel couldn’t hold back a sneer.

What right did William have to stand before her and say all these things? She had approached him to discuss it. In fact, she nearly pleaded with him–only to have him ask her to understand him and not put him on the spot.

She wasn’t putting him on the spot.

She was only making things difficult for herself.