Someone snuck a peek at Rachel and said mockingly, “I wouldn’t come out if I were her. Perhaps, I’d even leave the company right away.”

“Don’t say that. I heard from the grapevine that Rachel secretly handed in her resignation.”

“Well, what else can she do? Someone’s taking her place. It’ll only be embarrassing if she stays.”

Cecilia threw her trekking pole, overwhelmed with frustration. She yelled at the top of her lungs, “Are you people done being bullies?”

One of the colleagues said through pursed lips, “So what? It’s the truth, whether you like it or not. It’s not like she can hear us, anyway.”

Cecilia had a strong urge to punch the colleague in the face. “Just because she can’t hear you doesn’t mean you can shoot your mouth off like that!”

Rachel calmly stepped forward to pull Cecilia away. “Sit down and drink some water.”

Cecilia scowled at them and sent them death glares before finally retracting her gaze. That was when she realized how pale Rachel’s face was.

“What’s wrong? Are you having difficulties breathing again? Did you bring your medication?”

Rachel shook her head, not wanting Cecilia to worry about her. “I’m fine.”

Just then, William and Samantha made their way over slowly. Rachel was seated in their way and couldn’t hide even if she wanted to. The three of their gazes met, and the air turned tense with awkwardness. Things were made worse when the colleagues seated next to Rachel started gossiping again.

Samantha approached Rachel, her arm wrapped around William’s as she greeted Rachel brightly. “Rachel, why did you walk faster than us?”

Rachel’s gaze swept across Samantha’s belly.

“I can’t help myself. You’re not in a great physical state, you see. Next time, don’t participate in such physically demanding activities. If anything were to happen, Mr. Lewis won’t be able to escape responsibility…” She suddenly felt out of breath mid-sentence and clutched her chest, overwhelmed by a coughing fit.

Cecilia grabbed her arm anxiously. “Rachel, what’s wrong? Are you having breathing difficulties? I’ll get an oxygen can–”

“Oh, William! I suddenly feel terrible and have difficulties breathing!” Samantha cut Cecilia off, clutching her chest as her face crumpled up in feigned pain.

William immediately pulled out an oxygen can and handed it to Samantha. “Sit down and rest.” Samantha took the oxygen can from William and smiled brightly at him, her crystal-clear eyes fixed unwaveringly on him. Everyone else had become mere background to them.

Cecilia stood stunned. “Mr. Lewis, Rachel’s…”

Rachel grabbed Cecilia’s arm, signaling her to stop talking. “I’m fine.”

Cecilia stared hard at Rachel for a few seconds, knowing clearly that she was trying to put up a strong front. Rachel didn’t want William to know that she was in discomfort.

Chapter 164

What’s more, her condition was more complicated than Samantha’s.

Cecilia tried to persuade Rachel in hushed tones, “Don’t try to act tough. This is a matter of life and death. This place is so remote, any accident might cost you your life! There’s no point in an act of bravado right now.”

However, Rachel had thoughts of her own. She knew Samantha was pregnant, and she knew how desperately William wanted a child. It was simply unfortunate that Rachel never got pregnant over the years. She was busy working overtime just to secure William’s position as the CEO, and was seldom at home.