?Chapter 417:


    Feeling uneasy under his stare, Rachel subconsciously licked her lips. “What’s wrong?”


    Brian cleared his throat, his gaze flickering to her neckline. “Are you sure you want to keep talking to me dressed like that?”


    Only then did Rachel realize she was still in her nightgown—a rather revealing one at that. The neckline dipped lower than it should, clearly designed to be enticing, especially when she had leaned over just now… She didn’t even want to imagine what he might have seen.


    Her face burned as she blurted, “I’ll go change!” before rushing off. By the time she returned, she had swapped the nightgown for her daytime clothes.


    Natalia still wasn’t back, and a heavy silence settled between them.


    Brian’s deep voice finally cut through the silence.


    “Why are you here?”


    Rachel didn’t hesitate. “I wasn’t nning to, but I came mainly for Natalia.”


    His gaze sharpened. “For Natalia? I didn’t realize you two were that close.”


    There was a shift in the air—his expression darkening, his entire demeanor cooling.


    Rachel recognized it instantly. Brian was angry.


    But why?


    He had asked. She had simply answered.


    “Is that the only reason?” he pressed.


    Rachel opened her mouth to reply, but before she could, Natalia burst through the door. “Brian! You’re here!”


    “Yes,” Brian replied, his tone t, revealing nothing.


    Unbothered, Natalia grinned and boldly linked her arm with his. “Brian, I’m officially announcing my pursuit of you.”


    Brian raised a brow. “You do know Rachel is my ex-girlfriend, right?”


    “Of course!” she chirped without hesitation.


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    “And yet you brought my ex-girlfriend along while nning to pursue me?”


    “Why not? She’s your ex, which means you’ve already broken up. Besides, Rachel agreed to help me.” Natalia’s bluntness was almostical.


    But Brian wasn’t amused.


    His expression turned stormy, his jaw tightening as he slowly turned to Rachel.


    “So that’s your other reason for being here?” His voice wasced with disbelief. “You’re here to help her chase after me?”


    Rachel said nothing.


    To Brian, her silence confirmed everything.


    “Wow. Unbelievable,” Brian sneered, his eyes cold as ice.


    Rachel had nothing to say in response.


    Thankfully, dinner arrived, putting an end to their tense standoff. Throughout dinner, Natalia eagerly ced Brian’s favorite dishes before him.


    She went as far as deboning his fish, peeling his shrimp, and slicing his steak.


    Seeing the once-proud Natalia fuss over Brian like this, Rachel wasn’t sure how she felt.


    Love really did make people lose themselves, she had to admit.


    The entire meal, Natalia and Brian carried on a lively conversation, while Rachel neither joined in nor had any desire to.


    Instead, she quietly ate, focusing only on her food.


    When dessert was served, Natalia immediately scooped up a spoonful and held it out to Brian.


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