Chapter 91 Testing and Knocking
Heather frowned slightly. Had Steven done something outrageous again?
She asked with concern all over her face, "What happened? Don't worry, tell me about it."
Rachel smiled and shook her head. "Nothing, it's probably just that Steven has been traveling for work and working overtime more frequently this year than last year. Plus, I'm too sensitive during pregnancy, which makes me feel a bit uneasy."
Heather caught a hint from her words.
Frequency of business trips and overtime?
Her heart sank a little.
These past few days, she had indeed found traces of Steven being with that Nancy, but she hadn't yet found out when they got together.
Could it be that his so-called business trips and overtime were actually spent with Nancy?
She didn't show it on her face and joked with a smile, "That's how pregnancy is. Don't they say pregnant women can cry over a wilted flower?"
Then she asked, seemingly casually, "Has Steven been traveling and working overtime a lot this year?"
Rachel caught the two-second pause in her words and heard the probing tone in her question.
She didn't know if Heather was too sharp, or if these were all tricks she had used up on Gavin before.
Nothing escaped her eyes.
Rachel nodded slightly, looking conflicted. "Yes, it seems like he goes on a business trip about once a month. And I always feel like he's hiding something from me."
So that's it.
His overtime and business trips were indeed spent with Nancy.
A shadow passed through Heather's eyes, but her face still wore a warm and gentle smile. She waved away the servants nearby and asked, "Do you still think Steven is cheating?"
Rachel looked at her smile and once again truly understood what it meant to be a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Heather had always been like this, setting deep traps for her with soft words.
This seemingly ordinary question was actually testing whether she had deliberately guided Hestia to investigate Nancy some time ago.
But that was exactly what she wanted—Heather's suspicion.
This way, Heather would believe she still didn't know what was really going on, and that all these guesses and probing were just from Nancy's provocation and Steven's unusual behavior.
Naturally, Heather would blame Nancy.
She looked confused and helpless. "I can't say for sure, but Steven's unusual behavior lately always gives me that feeling. I've seen him chatting with someone on his phone several times, with a very tender expression."
Heather frowned and continued asking, "So if he really is cheating, who do you think he's cheating with?"
Rachel opened her mouth, hesitating. "I..."
Heather stared at her intently, naturally seeing the conflict she was showing.
From what she knew, Rachel and Nancy had known each other for ten years. She might have some suspicions about Nancy but didn't dare confirm or believe it.
Even less willing to face the fact that Steven, who loved her so much, would actually betray her.
That's why she guided Hestia to investigate.
Thinking this way, it made sense.
She remembered Hestia mentioning the waffle incident and felt a bit annoyed.
Nancy was clearly showing off to Rachel!
No wonder Rachel suspected Steven of cheating!
That cunning Nancy was really not a simple opponent!
She suppressed that hint of viciousness and continued to comfort Rachel gently, "Rachel, you need to trust Steven. He loves you so much, how could he possibly do something to hurt you?
How about this—when he comes back from this business trip, have him take you out to relax and change your mood. If you go on like this, you could easily get depression, and that's no joke."
Yes.
If he loved her, how could he bear to hurt her like this?
In the end, perhaps he just didn't love her enough.
But now, whether he loved her or not didn't matter anymore.
Rachel smiled gently. "I understand."
After dinner, the two moved to the living room. The rain outside seemed to be getting heavier, with occasional lightning flashing across the sky, followed by rumbling thunder.
Heather sighed, "There's been a lot of rain this winter. It's been raining a lot since autumn started."
Rachel looked out at the heavy rain, her eyes flickering slightly.
A thought suddenly came to her mind.
The real account books in Heather's study.
This might be a chance to get those real account books.
She had to stay!
She took a breath calmly and showed a worried expression. "I just don't know when this rain will stop. It's so heavy, getting back later will be a problem."
Heather smiled. "Then don't go back. Your dad and Steven are both away on business trips anyway. You'd be alone if you went back, and I'm bored alone too. We'd be perfect company for each other.
When Steven comes back from his trip, have him pick you up. Just stay here with me these few days. Your room has all the toiletries ready. If you need anything else, just tell the servants."
Rachel was stunned.
Heather agreed just like that?
The surprise in her eyes turned to warmth as she smiled and agreed, "Alright, then I'll stay these few days to eat and chat with you."
The two chatted in the living room until after nine in the evening, when Heather told her to go upstairs and rest.
Getting off the elevator, she instinctively glanced at the camera ahead, her lips pressed into a straight line.
The second-floor corridor was curved, and Heather's small study was right at the corner of the curve.
To get in, she first had to avoid the cameras.
But the power outage trick had already been used twice. If she used it again, with Heather's suspicious and sharp nature, it would likely alert her.
She quickly thought through her options, walking calmly to her and Steven's room.
Downstairs, Heather watched her enter the elevator, her smile immediately disappearing. With a stern face, she called over Uma, the kitchen servant.
"Tomorrow at noon, make some of Steven's favorite dishes and take them to his company. Remember, you must deliver them to him personally. Say I prepared them and tell him not to work too hard."
Uma was somewhat surprised at this.
Didn't they just say Steven was on a business trip?
Why send food to the company?
"What?" Heather glanced at her expression and asked with displeasure.
Uma quickly said, "Nothing, I've noted it down."
The next day at noon.
Uma walked into the construction company under the Martinez Group carrying two thermal containers and a soup pot.
Since she didn't have an appointment, she wasted more than ten minutes at the front desk downstairs. Finally, the receptionist contacted the executive office before letting her through.
She took the elevator to the 16th floor executive office, where Steven's assistant was already waiting outside the elevator.
"Hello, I'm Mr. Martinez's special assistant, Jonathan Cooper."
Uma smiled and greeted him, explaining her purpose. "Ms. Wilson said Mr. Martinez has been busy lately and probably hasn't been eating well, so she specifically had me make some of his favorite dishes to bring over."
Jonathan nodded. "Thank you for making the trip. I'll pass along the message to Mr. Martinez."
As he spoke, he tried to take the thermal containers.
But Uma avoided him and smiled apologetically. "I'm really sorry, but Ms. Wilson said I must deliver them to Mr. Martinez personally. Could you perhaps lead the way?"
Jonathan was slightly taken aback but didn't insist. He stepped aside with a gesture of invitation and led her straight to the office.
Steven was quite surprised to see Uma.
He knew Uma was hired by Heather and had been her cook for nearly ten years. Heather had always trusted her.
Uma placed the items on the coffee table and relayed what Heather had said before leaving. "Mrs. Martinez went back for dinner last night. It happened to be raining heavily, so Ms. Wilson kept her at The Martinez Manor. She wants you to pick her up in a couple of days."
Steven's movements froze slightly.
Rachel went to The Martinez Manor?
Didn't she tell Heather about his business trip?
No, wait. Rachel went alone, so Heather would definitely ask.
And she told him to pick her up in a couple of days.
And specifically sent someone with food.
His breathing tightened as he stared at the thermal containers on the table, an inexplicable panic rising in his heart.
Was Heather testing and warning him?