Rachel was able to guess it was none other than Celia's stepmother who was spitting out curses. From
what Celia had told her, she knew that woman had a filthy mouth.
"Let's go, Rachel. I am sorry you had to hear that. I will treat you to a good meal and make up for this."
In fact, Celia had no desire to have dinner there. After all, Bertha would never allow her to have an
enjoyable time. How could she expect a peaceful meal? No! She was determined to leave and take
Rachel elsewhere.
Understanding how bad the situation was, Rachel nodded her head. Just when she was about to ease
the atmosphere by asking about the food they would eat, the door was pushed open.
Grim-faced, Bertha came to their view. Without even glancing at Rachel, she turned to Celia and said,
"I've arranged a blind date for you. Change your clothes and wear something proper."
"A blind date?"
Celia shouted in disbelief. "I am not going!"
Bertha glared at her. "You have no right to say no. You didn't have a boyfriend. Did you expect to live
with us for the rest of your life? I am sorry, but we can't take this nuisance any longer!"
Celia couldn't help retorting, "First of all, I have a boyfriend. And didn't you taunt me for having found a
rich boyfriend? How did you forget it all of a sudden? Do what you want, I am not interested in this blind
date!"
Bertha sneered and said, "A rich boyfriend? He is probably playing with you. It is nothing but a time
pass for him. Don't waste my time. Get ready for the date I have planned for you."
All this while, Rachel chose to remain quiet. After all, this was a family matter so she didn't wish to
meddle. However, now Bertha was crossing the line. "It's Celia's choice whether she wants to go on a
blind date or not. You have no right to force her. From what I know, Celia pays for her expenses every
month. How can you call her a nuisance?" she questioned.
Only then did Bertha notice the woman standing beside Celia. She cast a scornful glance at her and
asked, "Who are you?"
"I'm Celia's colleague," said Rachel indifferently.
"And I'm Celia's mother. As a mother, don't you think I know what is better for her?"
Celia couldn't help shouting, "You are not my mother! My mother is dead!"
Bang! A hand slammed against her face.
Dylan had overheard their conversation. He glared at Celia and said, "Bertha is my wife now, which
makes her your mother! You have no right to say your mother is dead when she is here!"
Several time, Celia had told Rachel how awful her family was. But for the first time, Rachel had
witnessed it with her own eyes. 'It is worse than I had anticipated,' she thought.
Rachel's heart skipped a beat. She quickly pulled Celia behind her and spat out angrily, "Mr. Xu, I have
no idea why you took offense in her words. Her biological mother is indeed dead. Your wife isn't her
mother, she is a step-mother."
Dylan had seen her several years ago. Back then, Rachel had a thin face and a crew cut hair. Her long
and curly hair added to the fact she had gained a lot of weight made her unrecognizable to him. "Who
are you? I'm trying to ingrain my daughter with some manners. This is none of your business so you
better stay out of it."
Dylan had failed as a father. Yet he had the audacity to pretend like he was doing the right thing. This
sounded ridiculous to Rachel.
With a sneer, Rachel introduced herself, "I'm Rachel Shen."
Dylan was taken aback. His eyes widened in disbelief.
Bertha had never heard of this name before. Seeing her husband's perplexed look, she stood beside
him and asked in a low voice, "Who the hell is she?"
Turning her gaze to Bertha, Rachel added, "I'm Jack Fu's woman. I hope that rings a bell."
The same look of fear was now reflected on Bertha's face as well. With some satisfaction, Rachel
realized for the first time Jack's name had come handy.
She held Celia's hand and realized she was still trembling. She had never seen Celia look like this
before. Her condition pained Rachel. "Mr. Xu, you are now working for MK Group. Jack is your boss,
and since I am his woman, you should consider me your boss as well. On top of that I'm Celia's direct
superior. Do you still think I have no business in these matters?"
Even though she had asked a question, she didn't give Dylan a chance to speak. She went on, "I heard
from Jack that in addition to the employees' working ability, their attitude towards their family also
matters. MK Group likes to evaluate every aspect of their workers' lives!"
This implied she had witnessed his attitude towards his daughter and was deeply dissatisfied.
Hearing this, Bertha immediately smiled and said, "Miss Shen is right." She mentally cursed herself and
Dylan for their stupidity.
Noticing the sudden change in their attitude, Rachel took Celia's hand and walked out. When they
arrived at the door, she deliberately stopped and asked them, "Would you mind if I take her away?"
The two of them said in unison, "No, of course not. Please."
After leaving the Xu family's house, Celia kept her head down and didn't utter a word The fingerprints
on her face had become even more visible. After all, Dylan's slap hadn't been light. It still burned.
Rachel offered Celia a room in her house. But she couldn't get Celia to agree. She forced a smile and
said, "Rachel, I'm not going to disturb you and Jack."
Rachel didn't want to force her so she let it go. Suddenly, a thought occurred to her. The lease of the
house she had rented earlier hadn't expired yet.
She took out the key and placed it in Celia's hand. "If you don't have the heart to go home, you can live
here. And if you need anything, you can call me or Lea. Don't worry, we will always be there for you."
"Thank you, Rachel." Nobody had done this much for Celia. The amount of care Rachel was giving
made her emotional. She could no longer hide her tears.
Once Rachel had dealt with all this, it was quite late. When she reached home, she noticed it was
already seven o'clock. The house was quiet and she tip-toed her way into the kitchen. With an apron
tied around him, Jack was busy cooking. Aromatic smell of food filled her nostrils. She couldn't help but
hold him from behind.
Jack paused for a moment and asked, "Someone seems to be in a good mood. May I know why?"
"Nothing," she said.
But after a moment of silence, Rachel sighed and added, "When compared to a lot of people, I feel
very privileged. I have the freedom to do want I want. On top of that, I have a man who loves me and
enjoys spoiling me. I may have lost my parents, but your parents' love made up for it. I am blessed with
no reason to complain.
Life has been good to me."
Jack knew her too well. She was someone who seldom let her guard down. She never allowed people
to see her vulnerable side. Something had happened today for sure.
Jack quickly finished cooking and began setting the dishes.
Grabbing her shoulder, he asked in a gentle voice, "What happened?"
Rachel was surprised by his question. Jack knew her too well! She walked out of the kitchen and made
her way to the living room. Her face had a far-away look. "I just went to Celia's house. Her family is
quite unpleasant. Her father and stepmother treat her horribly. It's better to be an orphan than to have
such parents!"
"You shouldn't say that. It is an awful thing to say," Jack said like he was talking to a child. He also
rubbed her forehead to relax her.
Rachel nodded in agreement. She knew it was wrong to utter such words.
The dishes were ready, but the rice needed more cooking. The two of them sat on the sofa and chatted
casually. She loved having moments like this with Jack. It filled her in with so much peace.
However, when the topic shifted to Celia and Marcus, the atmosphere became a little serious again.
Jack took a look at his watch and was about to go to the kitchen. The rice must have been ready. But
Rachel caught his hand and said, "In fact, another bizarre thing happened today."
"What is it?" He sat down again, eager to hear.
It had been a tiring day and Rachel was exhausted, She lay on his legs, closed her eyes and said,
"Celia's stepmother asked her to go on a blind date. But I've heard from Celia that the lady knew about
her boyfriend. Someone had told her that Celia has a boyfriend, coming from a rich family. Yet she
brought up a blind date. Don't you think it's a little strange?"
Jack asked, "Who is the person her stepmother wants to set her up with?"
"I have no idea, nor do I think Celia knows anything about it." Rachel sat up straight, crossed her legs
and continued, "Jack, can you use your sources and check if my suspicion is right? I am having a bad
feeling about this."
Jack didn't answer immediately, but seemed to be brooding over it.
Rachel was afraid he would refuse. Like a child, she pouted.
With a smile, he leaned forward and said, "To put your mind at ease, I will definitely investigate the
matter. But what reward will I get in return?"
"No reward," Rachel answered without hesitation.
Jack shrugged his shoulders and said, "In that case, forget it. I'm a businessman and will never do
business if there isn't any profit."
Rachel couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Marcus asked you for help. Did he give you any reward? You
were more than willing to give Dylan a job. Why am I an exception?"
"Marcus is different."
Noticing the confusion in her eyes, Jack pinched Rachel's chin and continued, "He is just a friend. I
don't want any favors from him. But you are my woman!"
On seeing her surprise, he went on, "So tell me, what do you think of this deal?"
His tone was seductive and Rachel flushed red.
He hugged her and his lean body was pressed against hers. Rachel clearly felt the heat emanating
from his body to hers.
She wanted to push him away, but on a second thought, she raised her hands and caught his neck.
Leaning forward, she whispered, "If the job is done well, then you won't have to worry about the
reward. I am more than willing to pay for it."
Jack was about to say something, but before he could open his mouth, she changed the subject. "Until
my job is done, I recommend you sleep in the study."
"What?"
It was Jack's turn to be surprised.
She took a few steps backward and said, "I don't believe in paying in advance. I am sorry."
Disappointment reeked through his face when he realized his plans had backfired. He instantly
regretting asking for a favor.
On the second day, when Rachel arrived at the hospital, she didn't see Celia anywhere around. When
she inquired, she learned Celia had asked for a leave. As soon as she got back to her office, she dialed
Celia's number. "What's wrong? Why aren't you here?"
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