Chapter 21 Benjamin Thinks the Three of Them Are Interesting
Rachel had no clue that Gemstone Beauty Parlor had become the fall guy, nor did she know how Heather's crew had somehow linked it all back to Benjamin.
The next day was the University of Dawnlight's anniversary celebration.
Rachel donned a light purple suit dress paired with knee-high boots and carried a Chanel handbag. Her wavy hair flowed down her slender back, swaying gently as she moved.
Steven was lounging on the couch in the living room. Hearing the noise, he turned around and was struck by Rachel's beautiful figure, reflected in his glasses.
From the moment he met Rachel, he knew she was stunning.
She was radiant, not showy; her arched brows highlighted clear, gentle eyes. There was a fresh, natural beauty in her, soft and lovely.
Her delicate features and oval face were charmingly petite, with lips covered in light velvet lipstick, looking soft and kissable.
It had been a while since she'd dressed up this meticulously. She usually wore makeup, but it was always simple, and her outfits were more straightforward and professional.
Steven was momentarily stunned, then a gentle smile spread across his face as he stood up and walked over. "Wow, babe, you look incredible."
He always praised her generously, each word sincere and heartfelt.
Rachel rolled her eyes at him and huffed lightly, "Oh, come on, when do I not look good?"
Steven chuckled, lightly tapping her nose with his finger, his gaze filled with affection. "My bad. You always look good. My wife always looks the best."
Rachel laughed, "Alright, enough sweet talk. Let's get going, or we'll be late."
They were stuck in traffic for over ten minutes before finally driving onto the campus.
As soon as they parked, Nancy called.
"Rachel, where are you guys?"
Today was the weekend, and the school hadn't formally invited Nancy. Rachel had casually mentioned the event a couple of days ago and asked if Nancy wanted to join.
The school was open to the public today, with only the evening banquet requiring an invitation. Given Rachel and Steven's status, bringing an extra person was no problem.
Initially, Nancy pretended to hesitate, but after Rachel persuaded her a bit, she agreed.
Rachel could see through Nancy's act, knowing she wanted to come, so she went along with it.
"We just parked. Where are you now?"
"I'm at Building A of the Foreign Languages Department."
It was closest to the south gate. Rachel replied, "Alright, we'll be there in about five or six minutes. Wait for us."
"Nancy's here too?" Steven asked casually as he pulled out the car keys.
Rachel glanced at him, noting the appropriate surprise in his eyes.
She nodded and smiled, "Yeah, it's the weekend, and the art gallery is closed, so she decided to join the fun. Remember her painting of the sunset on a cruise ship during our junior year? It won first place at the 13th International Art Exhibition, bringing great honor to the University of Dawnlight's art department."
A bit of a celebrity, indeed.
Rachel had also entered that exhibition.
She painted a golden wheat field with farmers joyfully harvesting their crops. But the day before the submission deadline, someone accidentally knocked her painting over, and it fell into a box of paint.
The painting was ruined.
With only one day left, she couldn't finish another painting in time.
Rachel had to let it go.
Her professor had said that if her painting had been entered, it would have definitely placed in the top three.
The person who knocked over her painting was never found. Rachel had cried under her blanket for a whole day, and Nancy had comforted her, saying,
"Forget it, it was an accident. You can't make it to the exhibition anyway, so don't be upset."
"Stop crying, look at your swollen eyes, it makes me sad. My painting is still in the competition. If I win, I'll share the prize money with you, and we'll go out for a big meal."
It was so long ago that Rachel couldn't remember much more.
But now, recalling those words, she felt a bit uneasy.
She even began to suspect.
Could the person who knocked over her painting have been Nancy?
She couldn't find the answer back then, and she wouldn't find it now.
What mattered to her was, if Nancy had harbored such insincere intentions from that time, then she was a rather frightening person.
Rachel pushed these thoughts aside and walked with Steven to Building A of the Foreign Languages Department. The path led past the math and physics departments, and further east was the art department.
Next to the art department was the gym and sports field.
The last time they visited the campus was two years ago. Last year, Steven's company was busy, and Rachel's mother passed away, leaving her with no desire to revisit the campus for nostalgia.
This was their first visit this year.
After a few minutes, Rachel spotted Nancy standing in the sunlight, looking at her phone. Before they got close, a tall guy approached Nancy, asking for her number.
Nancy was momentarily surprised, then smiled and tilted her head, "Sorry, I have a boyfriend."
Today, Nancy was dressed adorably, wearing a pink sweater and pleated skirt, with a cream-colored mid-length coat. Her hair was styled in a side fishtail braid, looking sweet and lively.
She could easily pass for a college student.
"Not bad, huh? Even college guys are easily attracted to you," Rachel teased with a playful raise of her eyebrow. "Why didn't your boyfriend come along? Is he that trusting? Letting you come alone?"
"Stop it."
Nancy blushed and glared at her, linking arms with Rachel. She quickly glanced at Steven, seeing his natural expression, feeling both relieved and a bit disappointed.
She had hoped to see him jealous.
But in the year they had been together, he had only been jealous once. It was she who gradually veered away from her initial selfish motives and fell deeply into the web of emotions he had woven.
Unable to extricate herself.
She withdrew her gaze and pouted.
There was no time for sorrow as Principal Harold Rogers, along with the Director of Academic Affairs and several teachers and shareholders, approached.
"Mr. and Mrs. Martinez, I apologize for the delay."
Steven smiled, "No need to apologize, Mr. Rogers."
Rachel nodded to each of them, her eyes landing on the man to Harold's right.
He wore a dark gray suit, standing tall with long legs, his face handsome and refined. His eyes were cold and deep, his jawline sharp and stern, exuding an aura of nobility and elegance.
Rachel was puzzled, her gaze conveying, "Are you also a student of the University of Dawnlight?"
Benjamin, however, looked away, glancing at the people beside her.
Steven and Nancy.
He raised an eyebrow slightly and smirked, a look of amusement on his face.