Chapter 154 Rachel’s Stratagem
At the same time, in a riverside apartment in the city center.
Rachel had just changed into an elegant silk nightgown and sat at her vanity, practicing a gentle smile in the mirror over and over, her mind full of schemes about how to create another opportunity to get close to Arthur.
Last time, she had already cornered Arthur in the lounge—just one more step and she could have sealed the deal—but Charles had suddenly appeared and ruined everything.
After that, Arthur had grown increasingly cold toward her at work, often having William handle things directly, not taking her seriously at all.
She swallowed her anger and patiently waited for a better opportunity.
But just then, her phone screen suddenly lit up with an anonymous text message.
Rachel casually opened it, and the moment she read the content, the smile on her face instantly froze, all color draining from her face.
[Aria is back in the country. Today Arthur spent the whole day fawning over her at her flower studio. Your job as a substitute can end early.]
[Serenity Blooms Studio.]
Those few short lines were like a poisoned blade, stabbing viciously into her heart.
"Aria!"
She murmured the name, her voice trembling uncontrollably, and the next second, she completely lost control.
"Bang."
She violently swept her arm across the vanity, sending perfume bottles and skincare products crashing to the floor. The sharp sound of shattering glass was especially piercing in the quiet room.
"Why! What gives her the right to come back and steal everything from me!"
Rachel screamed hysterically, tears mixed with fury streaming down her face, her carefully applied makeup instantly ruined.
She had waited so long for Arthur, finally seeing a glimmer of hope, only to have it completely shattered by this woman who had disappeared for five years!
What gave Aria the right to make Arthur bow and scrape without doing anything?
What gave her the right to get nothing after trying so hard for so long?
Rage burned away her rationality. Eyes red, she paced back and forth in the wrecked room, nails digging deep into her palms, drawing blood without even noticing.
She couldn't just sit and wait for defeat!
Absolutely not!
Aria ran a flower studio, didn't she?
Then she'd strike there, ruin her reputation completely, make it impossible for her to stay!
Rachel suddenly stopped in her tracks, a vicious determination flashing in her eyes.
She wiped away her tears, took a deep breath, forced herself to calm down, picked up her phone, searched for Serenity Blooms Studio's contact number on a local platform, and dialed without hesitation.
The moment the call connected, she immediately switched to a gentle, elegant, and courteous tone, her voice sweet and perfectly measured.
"Hello, is this Serenity Blooms Studio?
I'd like to order a custom luxury bouquet. I'll pick it up in person tomorrow at 3 PM. I want the top-tier style, all imported flowers, no budget limit. Please prepare it carefully."
After hanging up, the gentleness on Rachel's face instantly vanished, replaced by a cold, sinister smile.
Through the night, she suppressed all her madness, hiding her hatred beneath the most docile facade.
She knew very well that a direct confrontation would only make Arthur detest her. Only by finding fault gracefully and destroying reputations quietly could she truly hurt Aria.
The next afternoon, gentle sunlight fell on the old street.
The glass door of Serenity Blooms Studio was gently pushed open, wind chimes tinkling softly.
Aria was bent over arranging flowers, her skirt hem carrying a faint floral scent.
Lance was checking orders nearby, and Jasper sat in the corner with a picture book, quiet and well-behaved.
Rachel walked in slowly, wearing a light-colored dress, clean makeup, her tone gentle and proper, like any ordinary customer. "Hello, I made an appointment yesterday for a custom bouquet. I'm here to pick it up."
Aria didn't think much of it, treating her as just another regular customer, and casually responded while looking up at her.
With just that one glance, she suddenly froze.
Her gaze fell on Rachel's features...
She didn't know if it was her imagination, but she felt the person before her somehow resembled her former self.
"Miss?"
Seeing no response for a while, Rachel called out again softly, her tone still polite. "Is my bouquet ready?"
This gentle call finally pulled Aria back from her daze.
She quickly suppressed the shock in her eyes, her expression rapidly returning to its usual coolness, though her fingertips tightened slightly for a moment.
"Just a moment."
She turned to get the bouquet, showing no extra emotion.
Rachel stood in place, her gaze lightly sweeping the shop, revealing not a trace of hostility.
Just then, the door opened again.
Arthur, in a dark suit, strode in. The moment he entered, his eyes went straight to Aria, completely failing to notice Rachel's presence.
Rachel also noticed Arthur entering. Following his gaze, a flash of jealousy crossed her eyes, though her expression remained unchanged.
She immediately walked forward, her tone surprised yet proper, perfectly measured. "Mr. Grant? What a coincidence, what are you doing here?"
Only then was Arthur's attention drawn over. When he saw it was her, his brow furrowed slightly, his tone cold. "What are you doing here?"
"I ordered flowers yesterday and came to pick them up today. I didn't expect to run into you. Are you here to buy flowers too?"
Rachel appeared very calm, as if this were merely a chance encounter.
Aria returned with the bouquet and saw this scene, her movements suddenly stopping.
At that moment, Summer's previous mention of encountering Arthur at the mall with a woman who looked remarkably like her suddenly flashed through her mind.
Perhaps it was a woman's sixth sense, but she immediately equated the woman before her with that woman.
Aria sneered inwardly. So she'd come to her doorstep to mark her territory?
She gently placed the bouquet on the counter, glanced up at Arthur, then shifted her gaze to Rachel. "Miss, your flowers are ready."
Aria's words pulled both of them back to the present. When Arthur met Aria's eyes, his heart tightened, and he instinctively explained.
"Aria, it's not what you think. I don't know her."
"I'm not thinking anything."
Aria cut him off, her gaze coolly sweeping over Rachel.
"Mr. Grant doesn't need to rush to explain anything to me. After all, Mr. Grant and I aren't close."
The words "aren't close" landed like a blow.
Arthur's face instantly went pale, his throat tightening.
Rachel quickly recovered, looking at Arthur with apparent concern. "Mr. Grant, are you close with the owner here? How come I've never heard about it?"
The more innocent she pretended to be, the more ridiculous Aria found it.
She'd already come to provoke her, and she was still playing innocent?
Arthur was somewhat impatient. "Just pay for your flowers and leave. Stop being an eyesore here."
Rachel's eyes instantly reddened, looking at Arthur with a very aggrieved expression, then turned to Aria. "Miss, thank you for your trouble. Could you tell me how much is left to pay? I'll transfer it to you."
Aria very calmly told Rachel the remaining balance. After Rachel paid and took the flowers, she said in a puzzled tone, "Miss, is this the custom bouquet? It seems... a bit ordinary..."