?Chapter 252:


    “Brian, it’s raining. Why not eat something before you leave?” Doris attempted to persuade him.


    Brian turned, regarding her with unusual seriousness, and asked, “Doris, what do you think she means to me?”


    The unexpected question caught Dorispletely off guard.


    Should she reveal the truth as she perceived it? She hesitated momentarily before responding. “Rachel is right. She doesn’t appear to be your girlfriend. Brian, I understand you selected her as ast resort because Carol approves of her. But life stretches too long to spend with someone you don’t love. The journey ahead will be immensely difficult.”


    Doris concluded, secretly pleased, believing her words might alter his perspective.


    But she had clearly misjudged the situation.


    Brian gazed upward at the increasingly heavy rainfall, murmuring quietly, “It’s my fault.”


    Doris paused, taken aback by Brian’s statement. “Brian, what did you—”


    Brian’s tone was firmer this time. “I’ve realized that my actions may have led you to underestimate her importance.”


    “U-Underestimate?” she stammered, her voice shaking. Her eyes widened, struggling toprehend his words. “Brian, are you saying—”


    Brian’s deration resonated clearly. “Doris, make no mistake, she is the one who will remain. That is the reality.”


    Doris hadn’t anticipated such a turn of events.


    After Brian walked away, she stamped her foot in anger.


    Picking up her phone, she made a quick call. “Did you get the information on that man?”


    “Yes, his name is Andres Garrett, head of Synergy Group. Rachel Marsh has worked with him previously, and they have known each other for some time.”


    “Excellent, keep them under surveince and inform me the moment they meet.”


    “Understood.”


    As Doris ended the call, a sly grin spread across her face. She was convinced that Rachel and Andres would cross paths eventually. At such a critical time, any meeting between them could provide her with the opportunity she needed.


    Rachel stepped out of the restaurant without an umbre, not anticipating rain.


    As the downpour intensified, she realized there were no shops nearby to purchase one.


    But she was not one to worry about getting wet. She meandered without direction, letting her steps guide her.


    She tried not to think too much about it. Dwelling on it would only intensify her anguish.


    At an intersection, inside a sleek ck car, Andres was multitasking with an iPad. He flicked through files with one hand while maintaining an intense focus, his features etched with concentration. Only when his neck started to stiffen did he pause and lift his head to stretch.


    Looking through the right-side ss of his car, he spotted Rachel just as the traffic light turned green and the car began to move.


    .


    .


    .