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 . ] +25 BONUS 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- against the surface . apped her fingers lightly " 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 . Chapter 3 +25 BONUS " 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 tig . us 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 . 2/4 Chapter 3 +25 BONUS 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 - up asking for you to come up . " e waiting for you . They're 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 Rroject , 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 3/4 Chapter 3 +25 BONUS 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 .