?Chapter 332:


    His lips quivered slightly, his breathing uneven, as he waited for her response.


    Rachel seemed lost in thought.


    After a long silence, she finally said the words she had repeated in her mind countless times. “Tell Tracy to leave. She has to quit her job, walk out of your life, and leave this city. You and she must cut all ties forever.”


    Rachel finally spoke her demand.


    But the moment her words settled, an unbearable silence filled the room.


    After some time, Brian slowly looked up and said, “Is this really final? Can’t we find another way?”


    She had expected that response. And yet, a small part of her had still hoped for something different.


    It would be a lie to say she wasn’t sad. But unlike before, there was no outburst, no hysteria. Even with a broken heart, she had learned to hide her emotions.


    She raised her eyes, her lips curving into a smile—enchanting, effortless, but utterly distant. “No. This is my only condition. If you can’t do it, then don’t bother pretending you care.” Her voice was steady, unwavering.


    Without hesitation, she fixed her clothes and gently pushed him aside. If he wanted, he could have stopped her, just as he had done before.


    But this time, he didn’t resist. He let her push his arm aside, offering no fight as she stepped off the bed and walked away.


    Only when Rachel stood up and turned to face him did Brian truly feel the empty space next to him. As reality sank in, he heard Rachel’s calm but firm words. “From now on, we are finished. Don’t even think about disturbing my life again.” She squared her shoulders and walked out without looking back.


    As he watched her disappear, an unsettling emptiness crept in, like he had just let go of something he could never get back. But by the time it hit him, it was already toote.


    Rachel stepped out of the office and had barely taken a few steps when she saw Tracy ahead. More urately, Tracy was standing there, deliberately blocking her way.


    “Rachel, I really appreciate your help back there. If you hadn’t gone along with it, Brian wouldn’t have agreed toe with me to the event,” Tracy said, shing a smug smile.


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    Rachel nced at her disdainfully. No one else was around; couldn’t Tracy drop her pretense?


    As always, she stuck to her usual tricks—ones that never seemed to change. Rachel wasn’t in the mood for games. “If you’ve got something to say, spit it out. Otherwise, move. I don’t have time for this.”


    Right on cue, the elevator doors slid open. Wasting no time, Rachel stepped inside without a second nce. But just as the doors were about to close, Tracy suddenly thrust her hand between them, forcing them open before slipping in.


    Rachel chuckled. Of course. An opportunity like this was too good for Tracy to pass up.


    As expected, the next moment, Tracy started her usual speech. “Rachel, since we’re past pretending, let’s be honest. I came back for Brian. He was never yours to begin with. If you’re willing to step aside, name your price…”


    Just before she could finish, her eyesnded on Rachel’s neck—and she froze.


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