Chapter 347: Charles Might Steal Rachel

Chapter 351 Honeymoon

Brandon personally drove Rachel to the Original Aspiration building's underground parking garage. After another lingering goodbye kiss, he finally let her out of the car.

That afternoon, at Original Aspiration headquarters.

Rachel pushed open her office door, still wearing a hint of barely noticeable languor on her face.

Shortly after settling into her desk chair, Joy knocked and entered, holding a document, her face wearing a teasing smile.

"Ms. York is quite late today." Joy set down the document and leaned against the desk, looking her up and down. Her gaze landed on Rachel's neck, and her smile deepened. "Looks like last night's celebration was quite... prolonged and intense? Mr. Saunders has pretty good stamina."

Rachel's face flushed. She shot Joy an annoyed look. "It's work hours. Watch what you say."

Despite her words, Rachel's ears quietly turned red.

"Okay, okay, let's talk business." Joy knew when to stop. Smiling, she pushed the document forward. "The charity donation account for 'Era of Dawn' has been set up. The first batch of funds has been coming in with the show's popularity and advertising revenue. Here's the detailed accounting and the preliminary funding plan. Take a look."

At the mention of business, Rachel's expression turned serious as she took the document and carefully reviewed it.

The amount was substantial, and the planned funding for several women's entrepreneurship incubators and design scholarship projects was meaningful. But looking at those cold numbers and project names, a thought suddenly arose in her mind.

"Joy," Rachel put down the document, looking thoughtful. "Don't you think, with all this money we're donating, we should track more closely where exactly it goes and what results it achieves? Make sure it's actually being used for the projects and actually helping people who need help, rather than just staying on paper reports?"

Joy raised an eyebrow, looking at her with approval. "Good thinking! Many charitable donations do have problems with inadequate oversight and difficulty evaluating results. How do you want to track it? Send people for regular audits? Or establish a stricter feedback system?"

"Maybe we can be more direct." Rachel tapped her fingers on the desk, her eyes bright. "I want to go see for myself. Visit those places receiving assistance, meet the people being helped, understand their real needs and changes."

"Go yourself?" Joy was somewhat surprised, then thought of something and her eyes lit up. "This is perfect! Didn't Brandon say he'd take you away to relax soon? For your honeymoon, you could totally choose places where we have charity projects! Enjoy your time together while doing field research on how the donations are being used—kill two birds with one stone, and add special meaning to your honeymoon! Maybe you'll even discover new collaboration opportunities or touching stories, and come back with material for positive publicity."

This suggestion made Rachel's heart race.

She could have pure quality time with Brandon while doing field research for the charity work she'd poured her heart into—truly the best of both worlds.

And doing something so meaningful together with Brandon seemed even more appealing than simple sightseeing.

"That's a good idea." A smile spread across Rachel's lips. "I'll discuss it with Brandon later. See if his secret destination overlaps with our charity project locations, or if we can adjust the route."

"I'm sure it'll be fine." Joy smiled. "Mr. Saunders dotes on you so much—how could he not agree to this small thing? Maybe he's already considered your charity work and chosen perfectly suitable places."

Joy was just speaking casually, and Rachel smiled without taking it too seriously.

That evening, in the home study.

Under warm yellow lighting, Rachel nestled beside Brandon, sharing in detail the idea she and Joy had discussed that afternoon about combining their honeymoon trip with field visits to charity projects.

Rachel had expected Brandon to be somewhat surprised, or need time to adjust his original secret plans.

But to her surprise, after listening, Brandon first paused briefly, then laughed softly, his laughter full of pleasure and understanding.

He pulled her closer, his chin gently rubbing against the top of her head, his tone carrying an incredible sense of coincidence and connection. "Rachel, are we too in sync?"

"What?" Rachel looked up at him, puzzled.

Brandon's eyes rippled with tender light as he explained, "The places I originally planned to take you include several remote but stunningly beautiful regions with unique cultures. While planning the itinerary, I noticed that several projects on your charity fund's proposed assistance list happen to be located near those areas. I was just figuring out how to let you inspect your charity results without affecting our time together, to give you a surprise." He paused, his smile deepening. "I didn't expect you to bring it up first."

Hearing this, warmth flooded Rachel's heart. She actively wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face in his chest, her voice muffled but full of sweetness. "So you'd already thought of it. Brandon, you're so good to me."

"It's not that I'm good—it's that we think alike." Brandon stroked her long hair, his voice steady and full of strength. "Then it's settled. I'll have Toby optimize the itinerary based on your charity project locations, making sure we can both enjoy ourselves and see everything clearly."

Their coming days were tight and full.

Rachel handled the final critical matters before Original Aspiration's IPO while finding time to prepare for the trip.

Most importantly, she had to say goodbye to Amy.

At the airport departure hall, there was less sadness and more hope for the future.

Anna sat in a wheelchair, in better spirits than before. Though her reactions were still slow, her eyes held more peace when looking at Amy and Rachel.

Amy had lost some weight but seemed more independent and strong.

"Rachel." Amy hugged Rachel, her voice somewhat choked. "You and Mr. Saunders—be happy forever."

Amy was still somewhat afraid of Brandon, but Brandon truly doted on Rachel, and Amy was genuinely happy that Rachel had found true love.

"You too, Amy." Rachel hugged her back, patting her back firmly. "When you get there, live well, study hard, and stay in touch. Remember, this will always be your home, and I'll always be your family."

Rachel and Amy embraced for a long time until the announcement urged them.

Amy pushed Anna's wheelchair, looking back every few steps as she walked toward the security checkpoint, finally disappearing at the end of the corridor.

Rachel stood there watching for a long time, feeling reluctance but more so blessing.

She believed that leaving this land that carried too much heavy past, Amy could truly realize her own dreams.

A few days later, Brandon and Rachel's honeymoon quietly began.

Without fanfare, only a very few core personnel knew their specific route.

Like any well-off couple, they boarded a private jet heading to their first planned stop—a remote region famous for its snow-capped mountains and lakes, which also had a women's handicraft cooperative funded by the Original Aspiration charity foundation.

Almost at the same moment their plane soared into the clouds, in a hidden location somewhere, Rose received the latest intelligence briefing handed to her by a subordinate.