?Chapter 251:


    “I won’t be joining you for lunch today. You can have anyone apany you, even a stranger from the street, but not me.” With that deration, Rachel snatched her purse and decisively strode from the restaurant.


    Doris observed the scene, seizing the moment to dash forward and grasp Rachel’s sleeve. “Rachel, please don’t be angry. Brian didn’t mean it. You two should sit down and talk things through.”


    Rachel shot her an icy re and pulled away. “Enough. There are some truths that only you know in your heart. Let’s stop this pretense. It’s revolting.”


    This time, she departed without a backward nce.


    The roompsed into silence, with only the steady ticking of the wall clock disturbing the stillness.


    Doris cast a furtive nce at Brian, unable to decipher the emotions concealed in the depths of his eyes.


    “Brian, I believe Rachel is genuinely upset. Perhaps you should pursue her and offerfort?” she suggested cautiously.


    Brian remained motionless, maintaining his silence for what felt like an eternity.


    “Brian… You’re about to marry her. You should go to her. Don’t worry, I can manage lunch by myself.”


    Brian said nothing but turned abruptly, grabbed his coat, and headed for the door.


    Watching his determined back as he walked out, Doris immediately regretted her words.


    She had only been speaking casually, never anticipating that Brian would actually pursue Rachel.


    From Rachel’s impassioned words, it appeared Brian held no genuine affection for her whatsoever.


    A woman celebrated her birthday in solitude—how could anyone believe she had been cherished?


    Doris had witnessed Brian during the period when his capacity for devotion shone brightest. During his college years, in the golden days of youth, hevished attention on Tracy. Despite his privileged background, he personally attended to her every need and whim. Doris recalled with perfect rity the moment he inquired why Tracy avoided strawberries.


    She had responded, tugging yfully at his sleeve, “Oh, I don’t like the ck seeds on strawberries. It’s too tedious to pick them all out.” In response, Brian had painstakingly removed every single seed with a toothpick, demonstrating remarkable patience.


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    Doris remembered how Tracy had reclined contentedly in his arms, the very picture of a cherished girlfriend.


    And Rachel? Doris inwardlyughed. Rachel was nothing more than a disposable object. Her inevitable fate was to be discarded once her usefulness expired. What new value could she possibly possess? A profound satisfaction washed over Doris in that moment. Though Tracy also representedpetition for Brian’s affections, her immediate priority remained preventing Brian and Rachel’s marriage. Tracy could be dealt withter. After all, Carol would never approve of that union.


    As Brian departed, Doris followed him outside.


    A light drizzle had begun, leaving the ground slick and cold, with a prating chill permeating the air.


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