“Come to my office after the meeting,” William said.
Rachel lowered her gaze. She gulped before replying, “Okay.”
William gave a few more instructions about the team–building event, then dismissed the meeting
Samantha walked over to Rachel, clutching her folder. Her tone was meek and unsure when she spoke. “Rachel, if I’ve done something to upset you, you can just tell me., But you really didn’t have to put Mr. Lewis on the spot in front of everyone.”
Rachel frowned. “I’m not upset with you.”
She had no interest in watching Samantha put on her act. Without another word, she turned and walked out of the conference
room.
Cecilia noticed the gloomy look on Rachel’s face. “Are you alright?
“I’m fine. I just need to go over there for a bit.”
Rachel pushed open the door to William’s office. He was standing by the floor–to–ceiling window. The moment she stepped inside, the chill in the air was palpable. It felt so cold it made her back tense.
She knew William was angry. Of course he was. She had just embarrassed him in front of the entire staff.
She stepped forward in a calm and composed manner. “Mr. Lewis, you wanted to see me?”
William turned around and gave her a look–over with a sneering expression. “Where did you sleep last night? At Tyler’s place?”
Rachel wasn’t surprised by the question. Tyler had already mentioned this morning that Samantha had someone spying on them. Whether or not they got anything on camera, it was bound to get out sooner or later. She chose to be upfront.
“Yeah.”
William hadn’t expected her to admit it so easily and boldly, His expression instantly soured.
“Rachel, don’t forget you’re a married woman. Do you really think spending the night at another man’s place is okay?”
This was the first time he’d spoken to her with such bluntness. William had always tried to smooth things over before. Never once had he spoken to her this harshly.
Rachel’s fingers clenched into a fist at her side. She looked at him for a long moment while holding herself together.
“Do you think I wanted to stay outside?”
“I already told you,” William replied. “Samantha’s just staying at the house for a few days. You still can’t handle that? Rachel, what’s gotten into you lately? You’ve never been this unreasonable”
Rachel’s hands were shaking slightly. She bit her lower lip before lifting her gaze to meet his. “Am I being unreasonable?”
William’s cold gaze swept across her face. It was followed by a scoff
“Aren’t you? Then what would you call last night? Going to that barbecue place with Tyler? You were trying to get under my skin, weren’t you? And today, you know that out of everyone, you’re the one person who has to show up to the team–building. You don’t get to choose.”
That last sentence knocked the wind out of her.
He was right.
She didn’t have a choice. As long as she was William’s wife and still an employee of Lewis Enterprise, she had to protect his image.
“Fine. I’ll go.”
William’s tightly furrowed brows eased slightly.
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He walked over to her, placed his warm hand on her shoulder, and gave it
small squeeze.
“That’s more like it. You’re my wife, and I own Lewis Enterprise. you don’t show up, what message does that send to the rest of the team? And what will people outside the company think?
“We just barely got past the gossip with LS Enterprise. If people start spreading rumors about our marriage too, it’ll only make things worse.”
“I have one condition,” Rachel said. “Before the team–building, event takes place, you have to sign my resignation letter.”
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