?Chapter 328:


    Rachel turned her gaze toward the window, pointedly ignoring their exchange. It wasn’t without reason; she had once offered simr sentiments. But now, someone else was there to do it. Unable to hold back, she let out a self-deprecatingugh.


    That chuckle drew Brian’s attention. He looked over at her and asked, “Is something funny?”


    Rachel got up and moved to the floor-to-ceiling window, peering down. Though the view from the skyscraper was obscured, she gestured subtly and said softly, “You may not have seen the flowers by the road when you came in, but I noticed them. They’re bursting with color, a delight to the eyes. It’s been almost a decade since I started at White Group, and it was those very flowers. Even after all these years, it’s the same flowers. Yet…”


    She faced Brian, her words filled with meaning, saying, “Each year, the flowers are consistent in their bloom, yet people, they change.” While the surroundings stayed the same, the individuals within them had changed.


    Brian’s heart suddenly felt as if it were being tugged.


    He turned to Tracy and said, “I think you should leave now.”


    Though hesitant, Tracy acquiesced. “There’s an alumni reunion this Friday night. Would you like to join me?”


    Brian’s eyes drifted to Rachel without thinking. Her expression stayed nk, revealing no trace of emotion.


    “Brian, this isn’t about us dating; it’s just that the rumors about my situation are rampant at school. If you’re not there, I’ll be aughingstock.”


    Tracy saw Brian’s hesitation and sensed an opening. She continued earnestly, “Please, Brian, help me out here. I can’t bear the thought of facing them alone.”


    Yet, Brian still didn’t respond.


    Noticing this, Tracy also looked toward Rachel, her eyes brimming with tears. She pleaded, earnest yet distressed, “Rachel, it’s all for show. I’m not trying to take him for real. Please don’t get it wrong. Right after the event, he’s yours again.”


    Tracy seemed unaware of their recent breakup. That exined why she feltfortable making such a request.


    As Rachel stayed quiet, Tracy’s plea grew more desperate. “Rachel, I really need your help!”


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    “It’s fine with me!” Rachel agreed suddenly.


    Tracy and Brian were both taken aback by her response.


    Tracy was nearly speechless, having braced for a tougher negotiation, expecting outright rejection, yet Rachel had agreed swiftly.


    While Tracy felt relieved and thrilled, Brian was visibly upset and disappointed.


    Was Rachel really letting go so easily? What used to matter so much to her seemed irrelevant now. This change left Brian profoundly uneasy.


    “Tracy, if there’s nothing more, I think it’s time for you to go,” Brian said, clearly eager for her to leave.


    “Just so you know, I’ll let you know in advance. And Rachel, thanks for being so understanding.”


    Tracy left with a smile on her face.


    The office door had barely clicked shut when Rachel felt an abrupt pain in her wrist. Suddenly, Brian had pulled her towards him.


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