Chapter 83

Rachel couldn’t hold back a smirk. The man who once swore so fervently that he would never let her get hurt turned out to be the one to hurt her the most. A man’s promise only remained valid at the time when it was spoken, and not anymore after that. Rachel lowered her head and replied to his text. Her thumb hovered over the keys as she was plagued by hesitation. By the time she was done typing, her palms were all wet. [Sure, go be busy.]

Jim could sense the change in Rachel’s mood. “What is it? Did something happen?”

Rachel kept her phone and snapped back to attention. “Father, William said that he’s held up at work and might not be able to rush here. He said he’ll have a meal with you next time.” Jim didn’t say anything further about it. “I know how busy you youngsters can get. It’s fine. Why don’t you head back after dinner?” “No need. I have some things to attend to, too. We’ll have a meal together next time, perhaps.” Rachel didn’t dare to tell Jim that she herself had no idea whether there was a chance for her to come back and have a meal with him. Jim didn’t push further. With her grandfather at home, there was every possibility that the two of them might clash and things would turn sour. Before Rachel left, Jim reminded her, “Treat your wound when you get home.” Rachel nodded before opening the door of the study. Hot tears welled up in her eyes. When she went down the stairs, preparing to take her leave, Yvette came blocking her way once more. Yvette looked down her nose at Rachel. “What, thinking of leaving just like that?” Not wanting to waste her breath on Yvette, Rachel threw her a cold glance before brushing past her. Yvette couldn’t stand the disdainful look in Rachel’s eyes. She was the legitimate daughter of the Lloyd family, while Rachel was nothing but a sham. What right did she have to behave so high–and–mighty around here? Yvette grabbed Rachel’s wrist. “Our house isn’t a place where you can come and go as you like! For all we know, you’re here to beg for money from Dad.” Rachel’s eyes turned cold. “I did not.” “I wouldn’t take your word for it. We need to see it for ourselves!” Yvette turned her head to instruct the servants next to her. “Wendy, Holly, search her! See if she stole anything valuable from the house.” The two servants of the Lloyd household made a move in Rachel’s direction, but Rachel bellowed, “I dare you to!” Wendy and Holly had no clue what was going on. Rachel was clearly just a young lady, but at that moment, the air of authority she exuded frightened the both of them. They stood rooted to the ground, not daring to move a muscle. Wendy and Holly instinctively glanced helplessly at Yvette. Yvette pointed at Rachel. “What are you two doing, staring at me? Search her! If something really ends up lost, you two will be suspects, too!” Wendy and Holly had no choice but to do as they were told. “Ms. Lloyd, don’t blame us. We’re just servants with no say of our own.” A cold glint flashed past Rachel’s eyes, her clear and crisp voice filling their hearts with fear and dread. “Let me remind you two that you have no right to search me. If I were to call the police, you’ll be punishable by law.” Sasha walked over, her lips curling in a smirk. She maintained her figure very well and looked nothing like her age of 50. She strutted toward Rachel, her hips swaying from side to side. “Rachel, you’re at your own home. Why must you be so aggressive? The last time Yvette’s friend visited our place, we lost a necklace worth 200,000 dollars.” Rachel’s eyes narrowed as she surmised icily, “You mean to say that I stole something here?”