Chapter 51 Nancy's Conspiracy Exposed
Autumn's art exhibit was getting rave reviews online, and there was a growing demand to extend the exhibit due to the surge of people who couldn't get tickets.
In just a few days, twelve paintings had sold.
The prices were pretty impressive.
The Art Association also showed interest in having Autumn, a free-spirited abstract artist, meet with renowned impressionist artist Leo Walker.
They suggested a joint exhibition.
That afternoon, Rachel was discussing this with Autumn over the phone.
Extending the exhibit was a form of recognition that Autumn was happy to accept.
However, the idea of a joint exhibition with Leo needed more thought.
Autumn and Leo were both outstanding and talented figures in the art world. They were also quite the pair—one was strikingly beautiful and intellectual, the other charming and sophisticated. From any angle, they were a hot topic.
Especially last year, when they were photographed dining together abroad.
The rumors had been rampant.
A joint exhibition at the Stargaze Gallery would undoubtedly boost its reputation and profits significantly.
As the gallery director, Rachel naturally wanted to see this win-win situation. But on a personal level, she wasn't too keen on Autumn and Leo getting close.
She pursed her lips. After the gallery closed, she held a small meeting, preparing to take the curatorial and layout teams to inspect the four exhibition areas and finalize the additional artwork settings. Suddenly, her phone chimed with a text message.
[Danger! Nancy plans to trip Sarah during your inspection, which will result in Sarah accidentally knocking you down.]
Rachel stopped in her tracks.
She had only thrown out a small bait, yet Nancy had taken it so eagerly.
Was this what Nancy called being a best friend?
How laughable.
Her eight or nine years of knowing Nancy were completely overturned in this moment.
Nancy's ruthlessness was beyond anything Rachel could have imagined.
She lowered her eyes, put away her phone, and stepped out of the meeting room.
On the first floor, Rachel paid special attention to everyone's positions. Carol and Wayne were on either side of her, while Nancy and Sarah stood a bit further back.
After about half an hour of inspection, everything seemed normal. Nancy didn't make any moves. Once Wayne had given his instructions, everyone began to disperse.
On the way to the elevator, Sarah unknowingly ended up behind Rachel. Rachel glanced at Nancy's position, feeling a sinking feeling in her heart. She was about to distance herself from Sarah when Sarah suddenly let out a cry and crashed into her back.
Rachel's pupils contracted as she lost her balance and fell to the ground.
Carol reached out in panic to catch her, but it was too late.
"Ms. Davis!"
"Rachel!"
Several people cried out. Carol, Wayne, and even Nancy rushed to help her up.
Rachel had been on guard during the inspection, but being knocked down still scared her.
As she fell, she instinctively turned to the side, using her hand to cushion the impact, avoiding serious injury. Only her arm felt slightly sore.
Nancy quickly helped her up, her face filled with concern as she looked Rachel over, "Rachel, are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere, or feeling any discomfort?"
Rachel clutched her abdomen, meeting Nancy's anxious eyes, and shook her head, trying to reassure herself, "I'm fine, really, I'm fine."
Before she could finish speaking, Rachel gasped in pain.
"What is it? Where does it hurt?"
Nancy's voice carried a hint of expectation.
Rachel rolled up her sleeve to reveal a small bruise on her elbow.
Seeing the hope fade from Nancy's eyes, she frowned, "It hurts."
Seeing Rachel unharmed, with no bleeding or complaints of abdominal pain, Nancy felt only disappointment and frustration.
Early pregnancy was the most fragile and most prone to miscarriage.
Sarah had hit her pretty hard.
But still, there were no signs of miscarriage.
"It's bruised, it must hurt."
Nancy's tone became impatient, the anger inside her chest ready to erupt, now directed at the still-stunned Sarah.
"Sarah! What were you thinking? Rachel is pregnant, do you want to harm her? If anything happens to her or the baby, can you take responsibility?"
"Pregnant?" Sarah snapped back to reality, gasping.
"I didn't mean to!" She interrupted Nancy's scolding, her voice trembling, "Someone tripped me, that's why I accidentally bumped into Ms. Davis."
She hurriedly walked a few steps toward Rachel, "Ms. Davis, I'm so sorry. But I really didn't do it on purpose."
Rachel frowned, guiding her to speak, "Then who tripped you?"
Sarah's expression hardened, her gaze shifting to Nancy with determination and anger. She gritted her teeth and pointed at her, "It was Nancy, she tripped me!"
Nancy's heart tightened, her eyes filled with disbelief, "Sarah, what are you saying?"
"When I fell, I saw your foot move back. You were right next to me, it was you!"
Rachel secretly breathed a sigh of relief, worried that Sarah might not dare to point her out.
Her face showed appropriate shock and sadness, "Nancy, why would you do this?"
Nancy wanted to slap Sarah's mouth shut.
She masked her panic with innocence, "I didn't, Rachel, you have to believe me. I'm supposed to be the godmother of your baby, why would I harm him?"
Rachel watched her lie without a hint of guilt.
Of course, someone who could come up with such a vicious plan wouldn't feel guilty.
Sarah, with teary eyes, insisted, "I really saw Nancy pull her foot back. Ms. Davis, I'm not lying, she tripped me."
Nancy angrily questioned, "Sarah, what are you trying to do? Are you trying to drive a wedge between me and Rachel?"
"I'm not trying to drive a wedge, just telling the truth. Nancy, I've worked under you since I joined Stargaze Gallery, I've always admired and respected you. We have no personal grudge, so why would you do this to me?"
"Do this to you? Who's doing what to whom?" Nancy feigned hurt, "I know you're upset because I scolded you yesterday, but you can't make baseless accusations!"
"Give me one reason why I would trip you!"
Sarah was uncertain, but she said firmly, "I don't know! But you did trip me. Why don't you admit you're upset with Ms. Davis for embarrassing you at the opening? I overheard you complaining about it to Ashley! And yesterday, when Ms. Davis demoted you, don't you have any resentment towards her?"