"She's going to be my wife. Show some respect," he retorted.
Rachel was left without words, her mind a whirlpool of disbelief. "Wife?" she pondered internally, "Has Adrian lost his sight? How could he be enamored with such a deceitful woman?"
She yearned to implore Adrian to reconsider his decision, to weigh his options with a clear mind. However, when she lifted her gaze to meet his, she discovered that his attention was elsewhere. His eyes were fixated on a point outside the car, not too far away. His gaze was locked onto the young maid they had just encountered, his expression filled with an uncharacteristic depth of affection.
Daniel, a notorious womanizer, showing such concern for a mere maid? Something was amiss!
Rachel's thoughts drifted back to the earlier incident at the Cullen Villa. Adrian had been unusually reticent, but his barely concealed anger had not escaped her notice. While others might have been oblivious, Rachel understood that Adrian's ire was sparked by the Cullen family's harsh treatment of the young maid.
With a teasing smile, she prodded, "Adrian, are you smitten with that maid from the Cullen Villa? If you're concerned about her losing her job, why don't we offer her employment at our residence?"
The man responded with a cryptic smile, his eyes concealing a myriad of unspoken thoughts. "It's not out of the question."
Rachel jerked forward in surprise. "Adrian, are you serious?"
Her casual jest had been taken seriously by Adrian, much to her astonishment.
Rachel swallowed hard, her gaze riveted on the woman outside the window. She strained to discern what made this woman so extraordinary that both Adrian and Daniel perceived her differently.
After all, it was Daniel who had extricated Natalie from the Cullen Villa.
With a grimace that suggested great effort, Natalie finally managed to free her wrist from his grip. "Daniel, release me."
Daniel froze, his face still a mask of anger. He was at a loss, "Why do you remain here after the way the Cullens have treated you? You could serve as a maid anywhere; why tolerate their insolence!"
Natalie's lips tightened, her already pallid face turning even more ashen.
Daniel realized his words had been harsh. His voice softened, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. What I'm trying to say... is that I could assist you in finding a job. You..."
"Daniel." Natalie mustered a strained smile. "I'm content here. Thank you for escorting me back today. I have matters to attend to. Mr. Murphy, farewell."
With that, Natalie pivoted and strode into the Cullen Villa.
Daniel had been frequenting her side quite often recently, and she was aware of his growing interest in her. But deep within, she knew that regardless of her feelings for Daniel, the disparity in their social statuses was a gulf that could never be bridged.
Daniel was about to follow her when a sudden blare of a car horn startled him.
He turned instinctively. Seated in the driver's seat of the sleek black Bentley, Adrian regarded him with an indifferent gaze, his eyes conveying an unmistakable warning…