Chapter 18 Reverse Method
That night, Rachel still couldn't sleep well, waking up multiple times.
When she woke up again around seven, she decided to get up, wash up, and change her clothes since she couldn't fall back asleep.
As she walked downstairs, she saw Steven sitting at the dining table, typing on his phone with a focused and serious expression, a hint of a smile lingering at the corners of his mouth.
Rachel found this scene somewhat familiar. It reminded her of the sweet feeling of chatting with each other when they were in love.
She and Steven had spent a long time like that when they were dating. But now, she was watching him chat with another woman. Her heart still hurt, but the pain wasn't as intense as it used to be.
"Mrs. Martinez, you're awake. Good morning."
Quinn's voice pulled her out of her long reverie.
She blinked and smiled faintly, "Good morning."
Steven looked up and saw her, his expression gentle. The tenderness in his eyes faded without him realizing it. He placed his phone face down on the table, stood up, and walked over to her, asking with concern, "Why are you up so early today? Couldn't sleep more?"
"Couldn't sleep."
Rachel smiled, walked over to the dining table, and took a sip of milk. "Mom mentioned yesterday that the six-month bonus from Radiant Beauty Spa will be deposited into our account next month."
"How much is it this time?"
Rachel held up three fingers. Steven paused, a hint of surprise flashing across his face. "That much?"
She couldn't tell if his expression was genuine, so she nodded lightly. "I told Mom yesterday that we haven't really contributed to Radiant Beauty Spa. We just invested three million dollars initially. Now that the money has been recouped, and we keep getting dividends as legal representatives, I feel a bit uneasy."
"What did Mom say?"
"She told me to take it."
"Then listen to her. You invested three million dollars back then, which is like any other investment. Now that the spa is making money, as a shareholder, you deserve the dividends. Don't feel guilty."
His tone was natural and calm, without any hint of strangeness. After speaking, he even placed a piece of bacon on her plate.
Rachel nodded lightly, ate an egg, and drank her milk, never touching the bacon he had given her.
Steven, being observant, noticed and asked, "Is your appetite still bad lately? You used to love bacon the most."
"It's okay. I just feel like milk and eggs are the best combination this morning. Changing things up a bit."
Steven looked at her, his gaze filled with unreadable emotions.
It was hard to see through him.
Rachel smiled calmly, "What's the matter?"
"After the Stargaze Gallery exhibition ends, I'll take you out to relax and unwind. Look how tired you are from this exhibition. How about I find someone to help you manage Stargaze Gallery? That way, you won't be so exhausted."
Rachel was stunned, remembering the text message saying Heather coveted her Stargaze Gallery.
What about Steven?
They were mother and son; was he scheming too?
Rachel didn't dare to think deeply. Just the thought of the person sleeping beside her being a wolf made her heart and body tremble uncontrollably.
She suppressed her thoughts and smiled faintly, "No need. The people around you are all from the financial sector and probably don't understand the art world well. Don't waste their talents. I'll take a good break after some time, and it'll be fine."
Hearing this, Steven didn't press further. He nodded and reminded her, "Make sure to take care of yourself. Your health is the most important thing."
"I know."
Dawnlight City had been raining for several days, and today was still overcast.
After breakfast, she watched Steven drive off to the company. As soon as she turned around, her phone buzzed: [Take the contracts you signed with Heather and find Benjamin. He will help you.]
Rachel stared at the message, her eyes narrowing in thought.
Who was texting her?
Before this, she and Benjamin were just strangers. Even now, they weren't particularly close.
How could the sender be so sure Benjamin would help her? Just because he was a lawyer?
She couldn't figure it out. She put away her phone, went upstairs, and took out the contracts she had signed with Heather last year.
She had carefully reviewed these contracts when signing them, and there was nothing unusual.
Thinking it over, she didn't even bother with makeup and drove straight to Azure Sky Law Firm.
When she arrived, she happened to see Benjamin getting out of a silver-gray Bentley. She quickly rolled down her window and called out, "Mr. Wright."
Benjamin paused and turned around, his deep, dark eyes meeting her clean, pretty face.
Rachel got out of the car quickly, locked it, and walked up to him. "I have something important to discuss with you."
Seeing her serious expression, Benjamin nodded, "Let's go to my office."
In the office, Benjamin took off his coat and asked casually, "Water or coffee?"
"Either is fine."
Benjamin's assistant understood and nodded before leaving. Shortly after, they returned with a cup of black coffee and a cappuccino.
Benjamin was examining the three contracts she brought. He was meticulous, not missing a single word.
A few minutes later, he said, "The contracts look fine."
That made sense. The more genuine the contracts, the less suspicion they would arouse.
Rachel pursed her lips and asked cautiously, "If this spa has been engaging in illegal activities and I, as the legal representative, was completely unaware and deceived into being the legal representative, would I be held responsible if the spa gets investigated?"
"What kind of illegal activities?" Benjamin's eyebrows furrowed slightly.
Rachel unclenched her fists. "I suspect Radiant Beauty Spa has a basement level where Heather organizes prostitution."
"A basement? Prostitution?" Benjamin's eyes darkened, his fingers slowly rubbing together. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure."
"How did you find out?"
"I went to the Spa for a skin treatment yesterday and accidentally saw a woman touching a man's chest as they entered a hidden elevator that went straight to the basement."
"Just because of that?"
"Isn't that enough?"
"Do you have any evidence?"
Perhaps Benjamin's gaze was too piercing, making her feel exposed. She lied under the pressure, "I was too shocked yesterday and didn't react in time to take any photos."
She only had that text message, but she needed Benjamin to believe her because only he could help her.
She was standing on the edge of a cliff. If Heather gave her a slight push, she could fall into the abyss at any moment.
"Did you invest three million dollars initially?" Benjamin tapped one of the shareholder agreements lightly.
"When she wanted to open the store, she said she didn't have enough funds. The three million dollars was like a loan to her. Later, she said to thank me and repay the three million dollars, she gave me a shareholder agreement and a legal representative contract."
She had always considered Steven her closest person, and with Heather treating her like a daughter, she naturally let her guard down around them. Heather had taken advantage of that trust. Looking back now, she realized how foolish she had been. She gave a bitter smile.
"Did you have a promissory note for the three million dollars?"
Rachel opened her mouth but then shook her head, a sense of helplessness filling her eyes. Without proof that the three million dollars was a loan to Heather, she, as an investor and legal representative, would undoubtedly be implicated.
"Did you ever participate in business decisions? Like board meetings or signing documents for the spa's establishment?"
Rachel shook her head. "No, I wasn't involved in any of the spa's operations. All I did was provide the initial three million dollars and accept the title of legal representative and the semi-annual dividends."
"How many times have you received dividends?"
"Just once so far," Rachel said. "The second time is next month. I only found out yesterday that this six-month dividend is three million dollars."
"Your mother-in-law is quite shrewd, giving you a nominal legal representative title."
Heather was indeed shrewd and skilled at deception. That gentle, kind, and beautiful face had even managed to wrap Gavin, the head of the Martinez family, around her finger. Rachel had been deceived by such a Heather as well. If Heather wasn't shrewd and capable, she wouldn't have successfully brought Steven back to the Martinez family. Outwardly, it seemed like she was suppressed by Maeve and her children, but in reality, she had Gavin's heart firmly in her grasp. Because of that, she wouldn't lose.
Rachel's throat felt dry, and her voice came out hoarse, "If I want to resign from this nominal legal representative position now, what should I do?"
"Negotiate with the spa's responsible parties and shareholders to dissolve or cancel the store. Or exercise your rights as a legal representative to report to the government, proving you weren't involved in the company's operations. Lastly, gather evidence and file a lawsuit, providing enough proof that you were deceived."
Benjamin's tone was measured and cool, "But given your current situation, none of these methods are suitable for you. Collecting evidence should be your top priority now."
Rachel felt her mind was foggy and chaotic, unable to grasp anything. "Where should I start?"
"Get a list of the spa's illegal service clients, planning documents, text messages, emails, transaction records, and videos. You also need evidence proving you were unaware, such as testimonies from the spa's staff and illegal workers, or even a recording of Heather admitting she deceived you."
"Organized prostitution involving many wealthy women in Dawnlight City, once exposed, will be a big deal. The main perpetrators could face over ten years in prison or supervision."
"Your evidence of being unaware will be crucial in determining whether the court will hold you accountable."
It was rare for Benjamin to speak so much. Rachel lowered her eyes, digesting his words.
Heather would definitely keep such things hidden from her. Where should she find a breakthrough?
Just then, her phone beeped with another message: [Radiant Beauty Spa evaded $7.6 million in taxes.]
Rachel felt a chill run through her. Not only was there unapproved gold-digger training and organized prostitution, but now tax evasion too. It was pushing her, the legal representative, into hell.
Her face turned pale, and her hand holding the phone trembled. "If Radiant Beauty Spa evaded taxes, would I be punished if I reported it?"
Benjamin glanced at her trembling hand. "Yes."
He set down his coffee cup and added, "But the tax authorities will consider the circumstances. Since you didn't pay the taxes, were unaware, and are the whistleblower, you could be exempt from punishment."
Rachel's tense heart slowly relaxed at his calm and detached voice.
"Radiant Beauty Spa evaded taxes?"
She mumbled, gripping her phone tighter. "I'm not sure. I just thought of it and wanted to ask."
Benjamin responded nonchalantly, "If that's the case, I suggest you visit the tax authorities. Use yourself as bait to catch them off guard, and the cracks will naturally appear."
That was indeed a good idea. It wouldn't affect her, and she might uncover some evidence. After her heart calmed down, she prepared to leave.
But her phone beeped again: [Don't go out! Asher's mom played bridge with Heather! She can't see you!]
Rachel's eyes filled with confusion. Asher's mom?
Just then, there was a knock on the office door. His assistant walked in and nodded, "Mr. Wright, Mrs. Holden is here."
Benjamin checked his watch. The court hearing for Asher's case was scheduled for this Saturday. It had been postponed from last week because the person who stole the pen was caught. He looked at Rachel, his calm gaze suggesting it was time for her to leave.
Rachel asked, "Is she Asher's mom?"
"Do you know her?"
Rachel's heart tightened, and she quickly stood up. "Yes. Not only do I know her, but Heather does too. If she sees me here and tells Heather, it's over. Is she downstairs or outside?"
The assistant replied, "She's outside."
"Is there anywhere I can hide?"
She looked around and realized his office was spacious and bright, minimalistic to the point of being completely visible. Two floor-to-ceiling windows, a wall of bookshelves, a desk, a set of chairs, and a few plants. No extra decorations or hiding spots.
She looked at Benjamin for help. He met her gaze for a few seconds before turning to his desk. He stopped at the right side of the wall, swiped his hand, and a fingerprint lock appeared. He placed his finger on it, and a hidden door slowly slid open to the left.
"Get in."
Rachel was stunned, her mouth agape. She took a couple of steps forward. "What's this?"
Benjamin leaned lazily against the wall. "A rest room. Are you going in or not?"
"Going in." Rachel awkwardly touched her nose and walked in without looking around. The rest room was quite large but still empty, with only a bed, a wardrobe, and a frosted glass bathroom.
Just as she finished looking around, the door opened again. Benjamin handed her the cappuccino she had been drinking and the contract files she had brought.
Rachel quickly took them. "Thank you."
Benjamin glanced at her without a word and closed the door. Rachel stood there holding the items, not moving. She could hear slightly muffled voices from outside.