Chapter 311 Inconvenient

Chapter 311 Inconvenient

Claire had stayed overnight at the Wright Manor many times before.

Her room was still there, preserved exactly as she had left it. Everything remained untouched, and the staff cleaned it regularly.

It wasn't that Jessica had kept the room specifically for Claire—it was simply that the Wright family rarely hosted overnight guests.

Hearing this, Claire's gaze drifted unconsciously toward the two figures standing a short distance away.

Under the bright fluorescent lights, their tall silhouettes and flawless features made them look perfectly matched, no matter how one looked at them.

A tiny but piercing thorn seemed to stab into Claire’s.

The pain was subtle, yet impossible to ignore.

Suppressing that discomfort, she shook her head gently, her smile still soft. "Thank you for your kind offer, Mrs. Wright, but... it's not very convenient for me right now.

I need to return to the hospital tonight. Next time, when I'm feeling better, I'll definitely come back to chat and have dinner with you."

Rachel, who had been listening nearby, raised an eyebrows slightly.

Not convenient...

What exactly did she mean by that?

Was she implying that her current situation made it awkward—now she was no longer Benjamin's legitimate fiancée?

The words seemed to carry a double meaning .

Jessica sighed. "It's more than two hours back to southern Dawnlight City. You stubborn child—you made such a long trip just to come here. You’re only exhausting yourself."

"I don't like hearing you say that,” Claire replied gently. “You’ve guided me since I was young. If I didn't come for your eightieth birthday, wouldn't that make me seem ungrateful?"

"What nonsense!” Jessica laughed warmly. “I know you have a good heart."

Claire smiled and wrapped her arms around her.

“Then you have to take good care of yourself too. Next time I visit, I want to see a healthy and energetic Mrs. Wright."

Jessica's eyes crinkled with delight. "Alright, alright, alright. It's still raining out there, so be careful on the road, Drive slowly, and remember to call me when you arrive. I won't feel at ease until I know you've home safely."

Claire stopped her. "I know. Mrs. Wright, please don't go outside. You can't handle the cold wind. If you do, your waist and legs will ache again tonight."

Jessica paused, touched. "After all these years, you still remember."

Linda smiled from beside them. "Mrs. Wright, Claire grew up by your side. Even during her years of treatment abroad, she was always worried about your health."

"Good child,” Jessica said affectionately.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries with Linda, Jessica raised her hand and called Philip and Benjamin over, asking them to personally escort the Chase family members to the door.

Rachel didn't follow them out. Instead, she stayed in the living room to chat with Jessica and Giselle.

When they reached the grand entrance, Claire turned back and looked at them with a gentle smile.

"Philip, Benjamin, it's pouring outside. There’s no need to come out. You must both be exhausted after such a long day—go back and rest."

Benjamin didn't respond, but Philip did.

While they were talking, Claire glanced at Benjamin’s cold, indifferent expression and suddenly felt uneasy.

It was as though her heart had been torn open, letting the early summer wind and rain pour in without restraint.

The cold wind made her heart sink again and again.

After saying goodbye, she stared at the rain-blurred car window, her eyes glistening faintly.

Perhaps she needed to step back for a while.

Otherwise, no matter what tactics she used, she would only push Benjamin further away.

Since the Rivera's Family lived far away in Clearwind City and rarely visited Downlight City—sometimes not even once a year—Jessica invited them to stay at Wright Manor for a few more days.

Jacob and Eileen were worried about Aurora's health, which had not fully recovered yet. They also wanted to discuss Benjamin and Rachel.

However, today was clearly not the right time, so they agreed to stay.

When Benjamin and Philip returned, Jessica smiled at the Rivera family. "You've all had a long day and didn’t even rest at noon. You must be exhausted.

Philip and Betty have prepared rooms for you in Quintuple Court. Philip, take your uncle and aunt there so they can rest."

Only Aurora and Betty lived in Quintuple Court now, and there were plenty of spare rooms, making it convenient for guests.

Philip nodded. "Uncle Jacob, Aunt Eileen, this way please."

After most of the guests had left, Rachel sat with Jessica and had a cup of coffee.

As she set down her cup, she secretly poked Benjamin in the waist.

Benjamin immediately caught her mischievous hand and shot her a sideways glance.

Rachel tried to pull away but couldn't, so she used her eyes to signal that he could speak now.

Benjamin calmly held her hand and walked toward Jessica. "Grandma, it's getting late. We should head back too."

Jessica tried to persuade them to stay. "It's already eight o'clock. By the time you get back it'll be past ten. And the rain seems to be getting heavier. Why not stay the night? The roads will be safer during the day ."

Benjamin, worried Rachel might find it difficult to refuse, spoke first. "Grandma, she doesn't have a change of clothes here. It's not very convenient."

"That's easy to solve,” Jessica replied immediately. “just have someone send a few sets over."

She promptly called over her caretaker and asked her to arrange for clothes to be delivered.

Knowing Jessica hated to see them leave, Rachel didn't refuse again.

She stayed for another half hour.

Outside, the rain grew heavier.

Dark clouds rolled across the sky, occasionally split by a pale flash of lightning that illuminated the curtain of rain. The air carried the fragrance of flowers mixed with the fresh, elegant scent of earth, drifting through the long corridors.

Distant thunder rumbled softly in the distance.

On the way back to Tranquil Waters Residence, Rachel suddenly stopped walking. Benjamin stopped as well.

“What’s wrong?” he asked. “Are you afraid of thunder?"

"No."

She shook her head and smiled. "I just remembered the last time we came to western Dawnlight City together. It was raining then too."

Benjamin paused.

The last time in western Dawnlight City?

That had been the day he took her to Betty's to test the juice. On the way back, they had to stop the car at the foot of the mountain because of heavy rain.

As he recalled the memory, fragments from that day flashed through his mind like slides.

Even the subtle flutter he had ignored at the time resurfaced now.

A faint smile curved his lips.

“But today’s rain is different from that day’s rain,” he said softly.

Back then, she she had still been someone else's wife.

Now she stood by his side.

He could rightfully hold her hand… even embrace her openly.

Beyond their relationship as client and attorney, they were now a couple.

Different?

Rachel looked confused.

She stared at the rain in the courtyard for a moment, thinking. "There was no lightning or thunder that day, and the rain seemed lighter too."

Benjamin's eyes flickered .

He looked at her with helpless amusement. After a long pause, he nodded.

“True."



Rachel caught the teasing tone in his simple response and shot him an annoyed glance before continuing toward Tranquil Waters Residence.