Howard had proposed to her, and she rejected him, but it was all in vain. Howard sought the help of his father, who came in person to ask on Howard’s behalf for Rachel’s hand in marriage.

The Lloyd family didn’t dare to offend him, so they had no choice but to agree to the proposal.

At that moment, Jim chose to reveal to his father that Rachel was a biological child of the Lloyd family, and he intended to make that information public soon.

The Zieglers weren’t keen on being in-laws with the Lloyds, and Howard's father only agreed to it very reluctantly when Howard went on a hunger strike in protest.

How could someone from the Ziegler family marry an ordinary woman? If word were to spread, it would make them the butt of everyone’s jokes!

Thus, Mr. Ziegler gave up on asking for Rachel’s hand in marriage; Howard never brought it up again.

The truth behind Rachel’s birth circumstances dealt her a major blow, but also saved her from marrying a man she didn’t care for. If she married someone like Howard, she knew she would be doomed for the rest of her life.

Rachel knew how Howard felt about her, and refused to meet him.

“Dad, I’ll head back to my room for now,” she told Jim.

Jim nodded. “Go ahead.”

Rachel was about to turn and walk upstairs when she heard the slow drawl that sounded like it came from the devil himself.

“Is that Rachel I see? Were you preparing to hide in your room when you heard that I was coming?”

Rachel’s body stiffened as she tightened her grip on the handrail, her knuckles turning white.

A servant came rushing over, bowing her head guiltily when she saw Jim. “I’m sorry, sir! I tried to stop him, but I couldn’t.”

Jim knew Howard’s temperament and how spoiled the latter was. He showed no one any respect and cared nothing for others, no matter where he was.

Jim didn’t count it against the servant. With a wave of his hand, he said, “You may go.”

Rachel had no choice but to stay. Since Howard had seen her, hiding upstairs would only make matters worse. She could only return to the hall and force herself to greet Howard.

“Hello, Mr. Ziegler.”

Howard stuck both hands in his pockets as he sauntered toward Rachel with a cavalier attitude, surveying her from head to toe.

Rachel detested that invasive gaze of his.

“You look even prettier than you did the last time I met you, Rachel.”

He reached a hand out, but was stopped by William. William’s brows were furrowed as he glared daggers at Howard, fire burning brightly in his eyes.

“Mr. Ziegler, please show some self-respect!”

Howard acted as if he had just noticed William’s presence and scoffed, “Oh, you’re here, too. I was just joking around with Rachel. Why so agitated?”

William shook off Howard’s hand, the veins popping on the back of his hand as he warned, “Howard Ziegler, she’s my wife—not someone you can just casually joke around with!”

Howard clicked his tongue, completely disregarding William.

Chapter 280 +25 BONUS

“You finally acknowledge her as your wife. Why don’t you remember that while you’re flirting with another woman? Come to think of it, you’re doing so well in your career. I’m sure hordes of women are pestering you, fighting for your attention.” The veins on William’s forehead popped as he grabbed Howard’s collar. “Shut up! Quit sowing discord between us!” Even that didn’t wipe that teasing smile from Howard’s face. Conversely, William’s agitation egged him on even more. Howard stood sluggishly, letting William hold him up at his neck as though he were a rag doll.

There wasn’t a trace of fear in his eyes.

With a clear intention to provoke, he drawled, “I was just cracking a joke. Isn’t it very normal for a man, especially a successful one, to get involved with many women? Why are you so agitated? Got a guilty conscience?”