?Chapter 505:


    Carol’s face lit up immediately, her joy unmistakable. “That’s wonderful!” she eximed, her tone warm with happiness.


    After Carol retired for the night, Brian and Rachel left the room. They walked infortable silence, side by side, their steps naturally aligning.


    “Thank you, Rachel,” Brian said quietly, his voice filled with genuine appreciation.


    “Carol has always treated me well, and I can’t bring myself to disappoint her,” Rachel said, her voice soft with sincerity.


    Brian met her gaze. “I know you’re doing this for her, not for me. But given that we’ve always shared a room here, it might look suspicious if we don’t stay together tonight.”


    Rachel hesitated for a moment, then gave a small nod. “I’ll cooperate.” She had already anticipated this possibility when she agreed to stay for Carol’s sake.


    “Are you sure you don’t mind?” he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of hope.


    She thought for a moment before responding, “The room has both a bed and a sofa. I can even sleep on the floor.”


    Brian’s expression faltered slightly, his hope quickly deting. The light in his eyes dimmed, though he nodded in understanding.


    They walked into the room together. With only one bathroom avable, Brian courteously stepped aside, motioning for Rachel to go ahead.


    “Thank you,” Rachel said, a quiet appreciation in her voice.


    After her shower, she stepped out onto the balcony, drawn by the cool night air. The breeze was refreshing, and the serenity of the night called to her. She inhaled deeply, enjoying the stillness.


    This estate, far from the city’s noise, offered a rare tranquility. The distant sound of crickets seemed to lull the world into a peaceful rhythm.


    The night sky, dark and expansive, stretched above her, with a brilliant full moon casting its soft light over everything. The stars shimmered with an almost unnatural rity, making Rachel pause to take in the beauty of the moment. It had been a long time since she had witnessed something so breathtaking, and it filled her with a quiet joy, a fleeting peace she hadn’t realized she was missing.


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    As the cool breeze brushed against her skin, she shivered slightly and wrapped her arms around herself. Just as she did, she felt something gently drape over her shoulders.


    Turning, she saw Brian, his face soft but earnest, as he ced his coat around her.


    “The night breeze is a bit chilly. You shouldn’t catch a cold,” Brian said, his voice gentle, though there was an undercurrent of concern.


    “Thank you,” Rachel replied, her tone cool and measured.


    The brief exchange hung in the air, and a thick silence settled between them. The warmth that had been there moments ago seemed to have vanished, leaving only a palpable distance.


    Brian couldn’t ignore the coolness in her tone, a politeness that felt more like an emotional wall than kindness.


    Rachel’s attention remained fixed on the stars, her gaze unwavering, as though she was seeing something beyond the night sky. Brian stood next to her, his presence steady, yet he felt oddly disconnected, as if a barrier had formed between them.


    After a while, Brian’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He nced at the screen; it was Tracy. His thumb hovered over the screen before he decisively pressed the button to decline the call. But Tracy, persistent as ever, immediately called again.


    Rachel’s voice interrupted the moment, calm and measured. “If you need to take Tracy’s call, I can step aside. I don’t want to get in the way.”


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