Chapter 3

William didn't come home that night, simply sending a single message at midnight.

[I'm working late at the office. Take care of yourself.]

Rachel stared at the message, her lips curling into a bitter smile. However, she wasn't going to waste more time thinking about him or Samantha. Before she left, she had something more important to do.

And that was to fulfill her mother's last wish.

When she arrived at the office, she noticed her colleagues giving her odd looks.

"I heard the Oasis Project was finalized already," someone whispered behind a cubicle. "But Ms. Lloyd isn't the lead anymore."

"What? That's been her baby for months. If she finds out about this, it'll probably mean trouble."

"Yeah, but word is the board voted this morning. They gave it to someone new. A transfer, I think."

As soon as they noticed Rachel at the door, everyone quickly looked away and hurried back to their desks. When she reached her office, she found that everything on her desk had been moved.

Before she could say anything, a soft voice behind her called out, "Rachel?"

She turned slowly.

There, in a snow-white dress that made her look delicate and innocent, stood Samantha. Her long black hair flowed over her shoulders, and her face was flawless, her eyes wide and gentle. She had the kind of look that made men want to protect her without even knowing why.

Rachel felt her whole body go cold.

Samantha!

Samantha smiled, lips tinted pink, her cheeks flushing as she sweetly said, "It's been so long. I guess we'll be coworkers now. I'm really looking forward to working with you."

She reached out her hand.

Rachel didn't take it. Instead, she looked over at her own desk—now completely cleared out—and tapped her fingers lightly against the surface.

"What's going on here?"

Samantha looked at her with wide, watery eyes, as if she had been hurt. Her fingers moved awkwardly in the air, making small gestures.

"I'm really sorry, Rachel. William knows I'm allergic to dust, so he let me use your office. But if it bothers you, we can switch back. I don't mind. I'll go talk to him right now."

Rachel smiled bitterly.

What a joke.

Allergic to dust? As if Rachel wasn't?

She watched Samantha start to turn toward William's office.

"No need," Rachel said flatly.

She didn't want fake kindness. His heart was no longer with her, so why bother acting like he cared?

Samantha turned back, her eyes still soft, but now with a glint she couldn't quite hide.

"I knew you'd understand. But please don't get the wrong idea. William only brought me into the company because he sees how tired you've been. He just wanted me to help take the pressure off you."

Rachel's fingers curled into her palm, then slowly relaxed.

How "considerate" of William. He really did love her deeply—so deeply, in fact, he invited his old flame to help with her workload.

"If that's what Mr. Lewis decided, then I hope you won't let him down, Ms. Judd."

Having said that, Rachel stepped past Samantha without waiting for a reply and headed straight to William's office.

When she pushed the door open and walked in, William heard the sound and looked up. Their eyes met for a few seconds before Rachel's gaze shifted to the papers on his desk. She reached out and picked them up.

William stood up. There was a flicker of panic in his eyes.

"Rachel—"

She didn't look at him. Her eyes were locked on the page.

It was the final vote on the Oasis Project: Rachel had received ten votes, while Samantha had twelve. And William had given the most important vote in Samantha's favor.

Hah! He actually gave the most important vote to Samantha.

Maybe it was how calm Rachel looked that made William uneasy. He stepped closer and gently wrapped his warm hand around her arm.

"Rachel, it wasn't just my decision to let Samantha join the company and compete for the project. The board made that call. Even as CEO, I can't override everything. I hope you understand the position I'm in."

Rachel tasted bitterness on her tongue, and her lips had gone pale. However, she didn't shout or cry. She was too numb for that now. She forced a small, tired smile and looked up at William.

The eyes that used to look at her like she was his whole world… felt like a stranger's now.

She drew a steady breath and asked, "What if I insist on leading the Oasis Project?"

William's brows lifted just slightly. He took her cold fingers in both hands and held them tight, his thumb gently brushing over her skin like he was trying to calm her down.

"I know this project means a lot to you. It was your mom's dream. But if it succeeds, no matter who does it, she'd be proud, right? She'll see it from heaven."

Rachel let out a low laugh. He used to give her anything she wanted without question.

But now? Now, for another woman, he had excuse after excuse.

It wasn't just his body that was no longer hers; his heart was gone too.

Rachel sniffled, her voice hoarse as she said, "If it's all the same to my mom up there, then why not let me do it? My proposal was just as strong as Samantha's. You know it was."

William's expression tightened, a trace of conflict flickering in his eyes. He didn't let go of Rachel's hand. Instead, he held it tighter, his warm thumb slowly rubbing the back of her hand in a quiet, soothing motion.

"Rachel, Samantha just got back to the country. Without something strong on her resume, she won't be able to find good work. Her parents are in poor health—no one knows how much time they have left. She needs this win. Also, we attended the same school. I know you. You've always been kind. You won't hold this against her, right?"

Rachel almost laughed at how noble and polished his excuse sounded. However, the bitterness on her tongue said otherwise.

It wasn't funny. Not at all.

Previously, Rachel had always thought that William's kindness was just for her. Now, she saw the truth—his kindness could be given to anyone.

He worried about Samantha's allergies, but had forgotten that Rachel herself could suffer from being around dust too. For her, it could even lead to breathing problems, and at its worst, could be life-threatening.

When William saw how calm Rachel was, he felt even more uneasy. After a moment of hesitation, he spoke gently.

"Rachel, how about we…"

"Forget it," Rachel interrupted. "You just got the promotion. You don't have full control yet. There are too many shareholders, and you can't make all the decisions alone."

She pretended to be understanding, gently pulling her hand out of his without making a fuss. Her voice carried a trace of weariness.

When someone stopped loving a person, they would find a hundred excuses to convince themselves it was the right thing. Even if she stayed here, begging, she knew he wouldn't give her the project.

And if that was the case—why bother forcing it?

Thinking he had calmed her down, Wiliam let out a relieved breath.

"Okay," he said. "Remember the auction? You were eyeing that necklace, the Eternal Heart, right? It's coming up in a few days. I'll buy it for you."

Rachel stiffened, but forced a small smile and met his eyes. "Sure, but I heard it's pretty expensive."

She didn't need him, but money still had value. No one was foolish enough to turn down money.

"If you want it, no matter how expensive it is, it's worth it," he assured, his eyes lighting up the moment she agreed.

A smile played at the corners of his mouth, and with a look full of affection, he reached out to gently pinch her cheek.

Just as he began to lean in…

The office door swung open.

Samantha stood in the doorway and hesitantly said in a soft voice, "Mr. Lewis, the higher-ups are waiting for you. They're asking for you to come up."

In the blink of an eye, William's hand, which had been resting on Rachel's shoulder, quickly pulled away.

"Got it."

Samantha stepped forward timidly, her teeth gently biting her lower lip. Her eyes were red-rimmed in an instant, and she awkwardly used a few basic hand gestures as she spoke.

"Mr. Lewis, Rachel, are you two arguing about the Oasis Project? If Rachel really wants it, I don't mind giving it up. I can step aside."

Rachel frowned slightly at Samantha's words. She stared at her for a moment, then calmly replied, "No need. I don't like taking things that belong to someone else. Since Mr. Lewis is considering your past connection, you should do your best with the Oasis Project, Ms. Judd."

At Rachel's words, Samantha's eyes grew even more teary. She reached out, gently tugging at William's shirt sleeve.

"Mr. Lewis, I think Rachel might have some misunderstandings about me. Could you explain it to her? If it's for Rachel, I'm willing to give up the project."

Rachel's gaze fell on Samantha's hand, still holding William's sleeve. He had never liked anyone touching him. Samantha seemed to realize it too, quickly letting go as Rachel quietly turned her gaze away.

Raising a fist to his lips, William cleared his throat. "Rachel already agreed. She's not the type to hold grudges."

He turned to Rachel and signed as he said, "After the meeting, I'll come find you. Tonight, we'll go to that restaurant you love."

With that, he stepped past Rachel and followed Samantha to the meeting room. As soon as the office door shut behind them, Rachel picked up Samantha's project proposal on William's desk and glanced at it.

A bitter laugh escaped her lips.

Samantha hadn't even bothered to correct the typos.