Chapter 348: Tears Are Very Salty

Chapter 352 Threat

Rose lounged lazily on the velvet sofa, her beautiful nails scrolling across the tablet screen. When she saw "Brandon and Rachel departed this morning, beginning their open-ended honeymoon" and another message "Amy and Anna flew to Seraphim three days ago," Rose's stunning face showed no expression. Only her fingertip paused for a moment on Amy's name.

The cold light from the screen reflected in Rose's deep eyes, where ripples seemed to surge momentarily, like a stone thrown into a deep pool, but then quickly returned to their usual cold calm.

She tossed the tablet aside, picked up the iced liquor beside her, and drained it in one gulp.

The cold liquid brought a sharp, burning sensation, but it also seemed to extinguish certain thoughts that had just begun to sprout yet were so untimely.

"They're all gone," she murmured, her voice drifting through the empty room, emotionless.

That Amy, who always looked at her with those clear eyes tinged with timidity, who had cried in front of Rose, panicked, and even blushed and had her heart race from Rose's casual touch—she too had finally flown toward her own sky, away from this vortex of conspiracy, bloodshed, and complicated bonds.

Good.

Rose's lips curved slightly, neither quite a smile nor a sneer.

Someone like her, born in darkness, raised among thorns, was destined to have no connection with those warm, simple, hopeful things.

Brief eye contact, a momentary stirring of the heart—these were just insignificant ripples in a long, bloody career, soon to be swallowed and smoothed over by bigger waves.

She placed the empty glass upside down on the table and stood up.

Outside the window, the city's night was quiet, and she still had her own long road ahead.

Those subtle stirrings and unclear possibilities—let them scatter with the wind, as if they never happened.

Rose's inner conflict wasn't within Rachel's consideration.

Rachel wasn't even aware of the unspoken emotional entanglement between Amy and Rose.

In Rachel's view, though Amy and Rose had briefly crossed paths, their contact wasn't deep—nowhere near the level of profound feelings.

So Amy's departure was something Rachel never specifically mentioned to Rose.

Rachel and her newlywed husband Brandon traveled hand in hand through magnificent landscapes. Brandon shed his usual coldness and scheming, Rachel temporarily left behind the battles and calculations of the business world, and the two purely enjoyed the peace and sweetness of each other's company, their feelings growing deeper and richer amid the spectacular scenery.

However, the journey wasn't entirely romantic.

According to plan, they quietly visited several project sites funded by the Original Aspiration charity foundation. At a remote mountain women's skills training center, Rachel, in her capacity as an "enthusiastic donor," had warm conversations with the students and inspected the teaching facilities and results.

Everything went smoothly at first, until she carefully reviewed the procurement lists and expense reports provided by the training center and keenly spotted problems—several bulk purchases were priced far above market rates and seriously inconsistent with the actual quality; some subsidies claimed to have been distributed to students had never been fully received according to random inquiries.

Rachel didn't make a scene on the spot. Instead, she privately approached Tyler, the head of the training center.

He was a middle-aged man who appeared honest and had some local reputation.

Rachel tactfully raised her questions and hinted that she hoped to see clearer accounts and distribution records.

Unexpectedly, Tyler's expression changed instantly. He first tried to dodge and deflect, but seeing Rachel's firm attitude and clear logic, he showed his fangs.

He first implied Rachel was meddling and didn't understand local customs, then his words began to carry threats, mentioning her status as just an outsider, a rich man's wife, unfamiliar with the area—if something unfortunate happened to her, or her reputation was damaged, that would be unfortunate.

He even hinted that he knew some people who could make her and her companion suffer.

In that moment, Rachel felt not so much fear as a cold anger and disappointment.

She hadn't expected that the charity foundation she'd set up with such good intentions had nurtured someone as vile as Tyler, while the women who truly needed help might not receive the resources they deserved.

She left the office calmly, returned to their temporary lodging, and told Brandon everything.

After hearing her out, Brandon's eyes instantly turned cold as ice, the chill radiating from him seeming to lower the room's temperature.

He gently took Rachel's hand and said in a low voice, "Leave it to me."

Brandon's position was different now—he didn't even need to appear personally. He simply made a few satellite phone calls to Toby, who was back in City A, giving him several instructions.

In less than twenty-four hours, local authorities suddenly intervened, conducting a surprise audit and investigation of the training center.

Evidence of Tyler and his accomplices embezzling charity funds, falsifying accounts, and threatening donors was quickly verified and secured.

Not only was the embezzled money recovered, but Tyler and related personnel were immediately detained, facing legal punishment. Brandon also ensured through influential local channels that the matter was moderately exposed as a warning, and arranged for a reliable management team to replace the center's leadership.

The whole process was swift as thunder. When Rachel passed by the training center again, she saw students learning peacefully and new managers working in an orderly fashion.

Tyler, who had threatened her, had vanished from local political and social circles like dust—no one dared mention him anymore.

This incident deeply affected Rachel.

On the private jet heading back, she leaned on Brandon's shoulder, gazing at the churning clouds outside, thoughtful. "Brandon, this incident made me realize that good intentions and money aren't enough. Charity oversight and transparency must be as strict as running a business—even stricter. Otherwise, goodwill can be betrayed, resources wasted, and evil might even be encouraged."

Brandon held her, nodding in agreement. "You're right. Charity isn't just about giving—it requires professional, rigorous management and continuous oversight. When we get back, we can upgrade your foundation's management system, bring in more independent third-party audits, establish more open and transparent information channels, and even use technology to track fund flows. If you need it, I can help you build that framework."

"Good." Rachel had found direction, but couldn't help sighing, "Thank goodness we came in person this time, otherwise..."

She didn't finish, but the meaning was clear.

"So our honeymoon wasn't wasted," Brandon kissed her forehead. "We saw the sights and got real things done."

Brandon and Rachel ended this special journey that combined romantic wandering with real-world encounters and returned to City A.

The direct reason that prompted them to cut short their extended vacation was Arthur.