Chapter 38 Provocation
Rachel froze, her heartbeat momentarily thrown off balance.
These were Steven and Nancy's hotel records.
Ever since they started booking Room 1408 at the Sunbeam Hotel last year, their visits had become regular, almost every month.
Each stay lasted at least three days, sometimes up to seven.
This year, Steven didn't go on a business trip for Nancy's birthday. The three of them even had dinner together to celebrate Nancy's birthday.
Everything seemed normal, except that a week before Rachel's birthday, he was away on a business trip for four or five days.
With this in mind, the dates matched up.
He really went on a trip with Nancy.
Rachel thought about what he had just said with such deep affection, and she forced a smile.
How ironic.
The slight emotional stir that had just risen was brutally slapped back by these facts, ultimately stirring up only waves of pain.
When Steven came over, she turned off her phone, fastened her seatbelt, and placed her hands on her abdomen.
She felt a vague sense of unease.
This was the worst time to get pregnant.
If she got pregnant, Steven and Heather would definitely want her to keep the baby.
Steven had already betrayed her.
She couldn't accept having a child with him. Even though she wasn't a cold-hearted person, she didn't want to live a life of internal conflict and pain.
Moreover, for the child, being born into an incomplete family, lacking maternal love, would cast a significant shadow over their childhood and cause great harm.
So why bring them into this world?
The car stopped by the roadside at the entrance of Stargaze Gallery. Just as Rachel unbuckled her seatbelt, there was a knock on the window.
It was Nancy.
Through the window, her pure and pretty face beamed with a bright, charming smile.
Rachel opened the car door and got out, hearing Nancy's enthusiastic greeting, "I thought this was Steven's car from a distance. And it really is. Good morning, Rachel."
Rachel forced a faint smile and teased, "He doesn't usually drive this car to work much, does he? You recognized it?"
Nancy's smile paused for a moment, her gaze flicking to Steven in the driver's seat.
Her mind worked quickly, and she laughed, "I remember he drove this car a couple of times when we had dinner together. I even memorized the license plate."
She then gave Rachel a proud look.
"Oh, you have a good memory. I forgot." Rachel turned to Steven and said, "Honey, I'm going in now. Drive safely."
Steven's eyes were gentle, "Okay, you too. Walk slowly, and be careful inside the Stargaze Gallery. If you need me to pick you up tonight, just send me a message."
Was he already treating her like a pregnant woman?
Suppressing her inner displeasure, she responded softly, "Okay."
Nancy, unable to stand their tender exchange, gave Steven a sticky look and waved, "Bye-bye."
Steven nodded slightly and drove away.
Rachel turned and walked forward. When Nancy caught up and linked arms with her, Rachel instinctively wanted to pull away but accidentally caught a glimpse of the half-hidden mark on Nancy's collar.
It was a hickey, left on her skin from their lovemaking the night before.
She paused slightly.
Nancy noticed her gaze and awkwardly raised her hand to cover the mark.
She shyly blinked, her earlobes turning red, "Is it very obvious?"
Rachel offered a cold smile, "Are you living with your boyfriend?"
"Not exactly. He's pretty busy, so he occasionally comes over," Nancy said, a bit embarrassed, her eyes glancing at Rachel with a mix of excitement and pride, "Last night, I called him saying my stomach hurt, and he dropped everything to come and be with me."
"He sweet-talked me and got all affectionate. I told him not to kiss me in such obvious places, but he insisted, so now I can't show my face. I have to go to the restroom to cover it up with concealer."
She giggled, with a hint of provocation, "Rachel, stop teasing me."
Rachel's face showed no amusement, her expression indifferent, not responding to her.
They entered the elevator, and after a short hallway, they reached the break room. Today was the second day of the exhibition, still opening at 9:30, so staff had to arrive around 8.
The break room was open, marked off by a stylish glass screen.
As they approached, gossip drifted out from inside.
"I never thought Ms. Davis had such a temper," said a slightly sarcastic female voice, "Her sudden cold face yesterday really scared us."
Two other women and two men chimed in, "I always thought Ms. Davis was very kind. But thank goodness she caught that problem yesterday, or the consequences would have been unimaginable."
"But C Zone isn't even our A team's responsibility. If anyone's to blame, it's Taylor from Team B. What does that have to do with Nancy?"
The female voice was still indignant, "You all saw yesterday, Nancy did nothing wrong, but she got scolded. Only Wayne said a few things to Taylor, Nancy didn't say anything. She even tried to mend the relationship later, and what did Rachel do? She made Nancy call her 'Ms. Davis.' What's with the high and mighty attitude? If it weren't for her family's wealth, inheriting Stargaze Gallery, who knows where she'd be suffering now..."
Someone tried to calm her down, "Keep your voice down. Don't let anyone hear."
The female voice was defiant, "I don't care. I think Nancy was wronged. She's so nice, yet she has to face this unfair treatment. I'm telling you, Ms. Davis isn't as good as she seems. She's very scheming, just a hypocritical woman. Didn't she show her true colors yesterday? Image shattered."
"By the way, you probably don't know, but I heard she and Mr. Martinez actually..."
The voice lowered.
But it didn't stop them from hearing it outside.
Rachel wanted to keep listening, but Nancy rushed in, furious, "Ashley! What nonsense are you spouting?"
Ashley's voice stopped abruptly. Seeing Nancy, she wasn't nervous at all, smiling as she greeted, "Good morning, Nancy. I'm not talking nonsense. I really think Ms. Davis went too far yesterday."
"That's between Rachel and me. You don't need to judge!" Nancy said, giving a signal behind her.
Ashley was stunned, and Rachel appeared in her view.
Ashley's heart skipped a beat, her expression turning fearful, losing her previous arrogance.
The other three straightened up, nervously muttering, "Ms. Davis."
Rachel's calm, indifferent gaze swept over them.
They were all in Nancy's team, especially Ashley, who was closest to Nancy. They often ate and shopped together.
To put it bluntly, Ashley was Nancy's number one lapdog.
And she was particularly loyal.
Rachel could tell from Ashley's words that Nancy had likely complained and shared her grievances privately.
Especially the part about "her and Mr. Martinez," which Nancy interrupted.
Had Nancy made up something?
But none of that mattered.
She didn't care.
"I didn't realize you had such a big problem with me?" Rachel smiled gently, but her voice was icy, "In that case, Stargaze Gallery can't accommodate a talent like you. You're fired!"
Turning to Nancy, she said, "You're her supervisor. Write a termination request. No need to go through HR. I'll approve it!"