บททั้งหมดของ Countdown to My Divorce: บทที่ 41 - บทที่ 50

"Yes, I can hear you now," Rachel replied.There were only a few days left. Honestly, she wasn't even worried anymore if William found out that her hearing had recovered."Well," Jenny said, "just a few days ago, someone came and said she was the new director at Lewis Enterprise. Said you were tied up, and she was sent in your place to discuss the deal."Rachel couldn't help but sigh. Samantha calling herself the new director—was that just something she made up, or had William told her to say that?If William had secretly put her up to it, then Cecilia had only ever been a scapegoat. A convenient excuse to clear the path. No matter what happened that day—whether or not Cecilia had offended Samantha—Cecilia's job was already lost.Rachel suddenly remembered something William had said before. Samantha had just moved to Yurelia City, and many of the shareholders were unhappy with how she had been parachuted into the company. If she couldn't show results soon, her position would be

Rachel got the message loud and clear—Samantha wasn't going to help Cecilia.Samantha had just started this new position, and like every new leader, she needed to make a statement. By using Cecilia as an example, she had shown the whole company that she wasn't just a figurehead. She wanted people to respect her—and fear her a little, too.Still, Rachel didn't get angry. She simply nodded, calm and composed."I understand it's difficult for you, Ms. Judd. But you see, I happened to hear something interesting today about the Trinity Enterprise project. You closed the deal, but it was my proposal you used. If word got out, people in the company might start to question your ability."She gave a small smile. "Wouldn't it be better to bring Cecilia back? That would make you look generous and confident, not someone who holds grudges."Rachel had even handed Samantha the perfect excuse. If she still refused, she would be a fool.The smugness on Samantha's face from earlier vanished. He

The feeling of soft fur brushing against her made all the hairs on Rachel's arms stand up. She jumped off the couch in shock and, without thinking, reached out to grab the hem of Tyler's shirt."Mr. Hunt…"Why couldn't Tyler control his dog?!Tyler barely lifted his eyes, his tone lazy. "He just wants you to pet him."Rachel looked at him, doubtful. "Are you sure he doesn't want to eat me?"She couldn't shake the feeling that the dog might leap at her any second.Tyler took a sip of his coffee, then leaned back on the couch. "He does want to eat meat."That one sentence had Rachel shrinking back into the cushions, her whole body tense.Tyler glanced at her and added, "He doesn't eat people, so why are you freaking out?"Rachel knew Tyler liked to mess with people, but still, the dog was huge. It was hard not to be at least a little scared.She just wanted to get this over with and leave."Mr. Hunt, maybe we should talk about Project Oasis," she said, trying to keep her voice

Meanwhile, Tyler sipped on some coffee as he sat on the couch, discussing the issues he spotted in Rachel's proposal.He pointed at the data and remarked, "If you submit these figures to upper management, they might find it too costly. If you want to seize the rights to manage the project, you'll have to propose a price lower than that of Lewis Enterprise. Businessmen care only about profits.""But I've gone through many rounds of calculations, and this is the lowest I can go," Rachel said with furrowed brows."How are you going to thank me if I manage to drop the figure?" Tyler spun a pen with his fingers, the sight captivating Rachel."I'll treat you to a meal." She couldn't afford anything more than that.What an unscrupulous businessman he was! She had already given him her entire proposal in exchange for nothing more than just her involvement in the design of Project Oasis. She didn't even want the dividends—this was a deal that was pure profit for Tyler.Tyler leaned back;

William clenched his fist, his feet rooted to the ground as a chill settled over his brows."Mr. Hunt, you know our relationship. You can't touch Rachel.""Settle scores with Howard before talking to me, and solve your damn problems before I go to your grandfather about it!" Tyler roared. Smoke billowed from his lips, circling him, veiling the frustration on his face.Given Tyler's temperament, William knew that pestering him further would only make things worse.He had said everything there was to say.Just as he turned to leave, Tyler's voice rang in the air once more."William, don't assume that everyone is as vile as you are. I won't have anything to do with married women. That's my baseline."At that, William's tense shoulders finally relaxed. He trusted Tyler's words. The fact that Tyler clarified that meant that he truly was innocent.Very soon, William left in his car.Tyler shot William a last look of disdain before glancing at the door upstairs that was still tightly