Rachel’s expression was impassive, yet it carried a sense of authority as she signed.
“If I remember correctly, the company rules clearly state that employees are not allowed to gossip about their superiors behind their backs. I’ve turned a blind eye when you’ve done it privately before.
“But to say these things right in front of me, isn’t that a little much?
“Oh, and I assume everyone’s been working on the Oasis project recently? Must’ve earned a lot of bonuses and now have nowhere to spend them.
“Alright then, once we get back, each of you will pay a fine. While you’re at it, I want a written self–reflection from every one of you. Leave it on my desk first thing tomorrow morning!”
Cecilia looked at Rachel with eyes full of admiration and excitement. She was practically bursting with joy.
‘That’s exactly how it should be done!‘ she thought.
Everyone else stood there in stunned silence. They were completely dumbfounded. They looked at one another, but not a single person dared to speak.
It seemed they’d all forgotten that Rachel had already been reinstated as the director.
Although she had submitted her resignation to William, the official announcement hadn’t been made yet. Why not take advantage of her position now to shut these people up?
The bus finally quieted down.
One by one, the gossipers went back to their seats.
Rachel leaned back in her seat again. Her expression relaxed. Finally, there was peace.
Cecilia gave her a beaming thumbs–up. “Rachel, finally! You stood up for yourself. I honestly thought you were going to let it go again.”
Rachel smiled and held Cecilia’s hand tightly.
As they neared the city, Rachel received another message from William.
[Go back to the house first. I’ll be back soon.]
Rachel froze slightly and quickly typed her reply.
[Aren’t you with Samantha at the hospital?]
She’d assumed that since William wasn’t coming home, she wouldn’t have to go back either.
William replied swiftly.
[The doctor said there’s nothing serious.]
Rachel didn’t quite understand why he was suddenly coming home, but after a moment, she figured it out.
They’d never really tried to hide anything from her before.
She
gave a simple reply.
[Got it.]
She put her phone away and glanced out the window.
There were still about thirty minutes to go. Thinking about the long night ahead, Rachel decided to close her eyes and rest.
1/2
+25 BONUS
When she opened them again, the bus had already reached the company’s entrance. After saying a brief goodbye to Cecilia, she hailed a cab back to the Lewis family estate.
The moment she stepped through the door, the weight in her heart only grew heavier.
The housemaids barely acknowledged her. One kept sweeping like she didn’t even see her. The others pretended not to notice either.
Rachel had long gotten used to this.
She sat down in a chair by herself and quietly texted Jim.
[Dad, could you please talk to Grandpa again about moving Mom’s tombstone back?]
Just as she hit send, a voice could be heard from the staircase.
“You’re back?”
Rachel looked up and saw William’s mother, Cassandra Lewis, slowly walking down from upstairs.
She tucked her phone away and gave a polite nod as she stood. “Mother.”
Cassandra pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders and gave Rachel a cold glance before sitting down on one of the chairs. “Where’s William? Didn’t you say you two were coming back together?”
Cassandra had never liked Rachel.
She had hearing loss, came from what they thought was a prestigious family, but had turned out to be a fake heiress. She held no real status in the Lloyd family. Other than her looks, there was nothing special about her.
Rachel remained respectful despite her mother–in–law’s attitude. After all, she was still William’s mother.
“William is still on the way back.”
At that moment, a housemaid brought over coffee and placed it on the table between the two women.
Cassandra lifted the cup with practiced grace, took a slow sip, and asked casually, “Have you two been fighting lately?“