Rachel instinctively looked at Cecilia. She had already made up her mind. "Cecilia, I might need your help with what's coming next. I've been away from the company too long."

Cecilia nodded. "Don't worry. Even if you didn't ask, I'd still help."

Rachel patted her on the shoulder. "I know things haven't been easy for you lately, with no job and the tough situation at home. I'll help you get your place back in the next couple of days. Don't worry."

Cecilia felt a sudden wave of unease at Rachel's words. She looked at her. "Rachel, what are you planning now? I'm telling you, don't go doing anything reckless. I can figure out the housing thing myself. You don't have to take care of me!"

Rachel hadn't told her the whole truth before she left, but Cecilia had always known. Rachel must've had her reasons.

Rachel checked the time. "All right, don't worry about the rest. I've got it under control. I'm heading out."

With that, she pulled some cash from her bag and stuffed it into Cecilia's hands. She then quickly turned and left.

"Rachel-," Cecilia tried to stop her, but Rachel had already stepped into the elevator and waved goodbye.

Samantha was pacing nervously at home. She had called William repeatedly, but he wasn’t picking up. Left with no other choice, she called Cassandra.

Cassandra showed up quickly.

Samantha rushed forward to hold Cassandra’s hand with a pitiful expression on her face. “Mother, what’s going on?”

But Cassandra didn’t return her familiarity. She coldly yanked her hand away.

“How should I know, Samantha? I heard you took company money to invest in some nonsense, and now it’s all gone. The company’s funds are completely tied up in that overseas collaboration. If our partners pull out and demand compensation, what are you going to do then?”

Samantha was stunned by the sudden accusation. Her eyes instantly welled with tears. Panic appeared on her face. She mumbled, “Mother, how can you blame me for this? I didn’t know it would turn out this way. And William approved the funding, didn’t he?”

“He was blinded by you! Look at the company now. Outsiders might think we’re rolling in money, but we both know the truth. Ever since Rachel left, this company hasn’t had a single day of peace!”

Cassandra crossed her arms and glared at Samantha with nothing but cold disdain.

“I thought you’d at least give the Lewis family a child. But look at you, you couldn’t even keep the baby. I should’ve known! Rachel was the better choice. At least back when she was around, the company never faced the kind of mess it’s in now.”

As soon as Samantha heard Rachel’s name, her expression immediately turned sour.

Her earlier expression of hurt and grievance turned into something dark. It sent a chill down Cassandra’s spine.

Cassandra instinctively wrapped her arms around herself. Why did it suddenly feel so cold?

Samantha leaned in close to her ear and said coldly, “Mother, did it ever occur to you that maybe everything happening to the company and to William right now is because of Rachel?”

Cassandra froze and turned to look at Samantha. Her expression turned serious. “What do you mean by that?”