Rachel's body couldn't help but stiffen. Whenever she heard the names of those two people, it still felt like she was stuck in a nightmare.
She obviously knew about that 6-carat diamond ring, she'd seen pictures of it in the news.
Even if she wanted to avoid those kinds of headlines, she'd still end up seeing them every time she opened her phone or browsed the internet.
Back then, when she and Ralph were shopping at a jewelry store, she had also seen that pink diamond rough stone. At the time, he told her, "Rachel, if you like it, I'll buy it and use it as our wedding ring."
But in the end, Ralph wasn't hers, and that diamond ring wasn't hers either.
"Rachel, um... do you wanna go back?" A clear but shy male voice suddenly sounded near Rachel's ears.
She looked up and saw a guy who looked about 30, short hair, wearing a team uniform, his face slightly red as he looked at her.
She blinked, remembering that he was from the sanitation team. His last name was... Guo, she thought.
"Yeah," she answered.
"Then I'll take you there. I'm free." George said that like he'd built up all his courage just to say it.
Rachel remembered Sister Rivera had mentioned once that he might be into her.
So was this the guy trying to chase after her? But she had no plans to fall in love right now.
"No need," Rachel replied calmly.
"It's okay. I've got a car. It's really convenient to take you," George said quickly, clearly trying to convince her.
"Hmph, like anyone cares about your car. What I want is a luxury car to pick me up, or maybe a 6-carat diamond ring. If you can do that, then sure, Rachel will totally agree to let you take her," Gemma from the tool group suddenly said with a sour tone.
George's face turned red on the spot, and he didn't even know what to say.
Rachel looked at Gemma without any emotion. "So if someone offers to take you home someday and you say no, is it because you're waiting for a luxury car and a 6-carat diamond ring? Or would you just go with anyone who wants to pick you up?"
"You—" Gemma was speechless and could only glare at Rachel angrily.
Rachel turned to George and said, "Thanks, but I don't live far. I'm used to walking home." And with that, she turned and left.
On her way home, Rachel stopped to buy some lean meat and vegetables, then went back to the rental house.
She made some shredded pork and veggie porridge, and had dinner with Jeffrey.
"Does your stomach still hurt today?" she asked with concern.
"It doesn't hurt anymore," Jeffrey said.
"You should still take the stomach medicine for another day, just to be safe. And from now on, make sure to eat regularly. Handing out flyers all day isn't a long-term plan. You still need to find a stable job," she said. "Or I can help you check online to see if there's something that fits you."
"No need, I'll look for it myself," Jeffrey replied. "If sister wants me to find a stable job, then I'll find one."
Good boy. Rachel couldn't help but smile and raised her hand to pat Jeffrey's head.
Maybe it's just that kind of feeling... like he's her little brother or something.
Jeffrey was slightly stunned. He looked at her, and for a second, it felt like his eyes were covered with a thin mist.
She touched his head so gently, like she was treating a kid. Come to think of it... how long had it been since someone touched his head like that?
Probably only back when he was really young. His dad once touched his head and said, "Jeffrey, you have to be strong. Stronger than anyone else. Don't be weak like me."
Yeah... he had to be strong and ruthless. Only then could he get what he wanted and avoid ending up like his father.
Now he had full control of the entire Gray Family chaebol and stood at the top of the city.
He had everything he wanted, but somehow, it still didn't feel like enough. Like he still wanted something more.
His eyes locked onto the person standing in front of him...
The phone rang suddenly, it was Rachel's ringtone.
She moved her hand away and picked up the phone beside her. The warmth disappeared instantly, and Jeffrey frowned slightly, like he was a little uncomfortable.
It felt like he was getting more and more greedy for her warmth.
The call was from an unfamiliar number.
When Rachel picked up, the voice on the other end sounded nervous and stumbling.
"Yi… Rachel? I'm George. That… I just wanted to tell you, don't take what Gemma said seriously. I know you're not that kind of vain girl. Even though my car's just a cheap domestic one… I'll work hard, and I'll get a better car in the future!"
He hung up before Rachel even had a chance to say anything.
She stared at the phone, a little confused, wondering if she should be more direct next time, so she wouldn't waste his time or feelings.
"Who called?" A cold voice suddenly cut through the silence.
"Colleagues from the sanitation department," Rachel said, putting her phone back down.
Jeffrey glanced at it. "Male colleague?"
She hadn't turned on speaker, but since he was sitting so close, he could still catch some of the voice through the call.
"Yeah."
"Does that guy like my sister?" There was a strange darkness in his eyes.
"Maybe," she replied.
"Then… does my sister like him?"
Rachel said quietly, "If I told him I've been in jail, he'd back off. So whether I like him or not doesn't matter at all."
"So what if she's been in jail?" he said. "If someone really likes my sister, they won't care about that at all."
She gave a bitter smile. Sure, that sounded good, but in reality, there were way too many people who did care.
Just like when she believed in sincerity at the beginning, but when something actually happened… sincerity became worth less than trash.
"If someone could accept that she's been in jail, would my sister like him?" His voice came again, calm but persistent.
Rachel was stunned for a second. If someone like that really existed… someone who truly accepted her like that...
Her brief silence seemed to make him unhappy. He suddenly grabbed her hand and lightly bit her fingertip.
"Ah!" she gasped softly, snapping out of it. Her eyes met his, those gorgeous peach blossom eyes staring straight at her.
"Would my sister like that person?" he asked again, still waiting for an answer.
"No," she said. "I only think of him as a normal colleague." And honestly, she wasn't planning to fall in love with anyone right now.
He smiled.
That handsome face of his lit up with something warm and slightly wicked. His eyes looked like rippling waves, impossibly charming.
For a moment, she was so drawn in that she couldn't look away.
Still smiling, he leaned in and gently licked the fingertip he had bitten.
"Then sister," he whispered, "just keep treating him like an ordinary colleague."