?Chapter 247:


    “Brian!”


    Doris, d in a light yellow dress adorned with floral patterns and topped with a hat, rushed toward him.


    Brian was taken by surprise as she threw her arms around him. Her embrace was firm, pulling him close.


    “Brian, it’s wonderful you’re back. I’ve missed you terribly. Why didn’t you inform me of your return? I would have remained unaware if not for Debby,” Doris lightly scolded, yet her grip did not loosen.


    From nearby, Ronald interjected, “Ms. Marsh, you made it!”


    Brian nced over and caught sight of Rachel just a few steps away. She was d in a white dress, which highlighted her radiantplexion. In her t shoes, she stood silently, her slender frame almost blending into the background unless one looked intently.


    “Rachel,” Brian said, swiftly loosening Doris’s grip on him, though she resisted initially.


    He had to exert a little more effort. “Doris, please release me. It’s not fitting for you to hold on like this.”


    Doris’s face fell into a pout, her displeasure evident.


    However, confronted with Brian’s stern look, she slowly withdrew her hands. Then, she quickly linked her arm through his and faced Rachel with a challenging stare. “Rachel, everyone knows how generous and forgiving you are. You wouldn’t be jealous of this, right?” Her grin was daring and defiant as she gauged Rachel’s reaction.


    Yet today, Rachel wasn’t in the mood to entertain her. With a mild smile, she responded, “Of course, it’spletely natural, given that he’s like a brother to you.”


    Doris’s grin broadened, but Rachel continued, “It’s nothing like those over-the-top dramas on TV. Why would it make me jealous?”


    Brian sensed an undertone in her remarks but chose not toment. Meanwhile, Doris’s expression hardened, her smile disappearing.


    As they exited together, Doris maintained her grip on Brian’s arm, while Rachel excused herself to answer a phone call.


    She moved forward, distancing herself from the diforting scene, worried she might lose herposure.


    Explore new chapters g?lησν???s


    When they reached the car, Brian and Doris took the back seat.


    Ronald called Rachel and said, “Ms. Marsh, please join us in the car!”


    “No, thank you. I have errands to run, and I’m heading in a different direction. I’ll take a taxi. Go on without me.”


    Rachel’s words cast a cial shadow over Brian, chilling the air around him.


    The frigidity even seeped into Doris’s skin, triggering an involuntary shiver.


    “What work could possibly be so crucial that it warrants skipping lunch break?”


    Brian’s voice sliced through the atmosphere with unmistakable authority.


    Rachel tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear and responded with deliberate softness, “I’m not actually skipping lunch. I’ll simply grab something quick on my way.”


    “Get in the car.” Brian’smand hung in the air, crystalline and unyielding.


    “I’m sorry, but this work matter requires my immediate attention,” Rachel exined, her lips drawing into a thin line as she met his gaze. They remained rooted in ce, locked in a wordless battle of wills.


    .


    .


    .