Chapter 66
My Mute Bride
Chapter 66 Planning Her Escape Although it was already midnight, the bars along Riverdaleâs Vista Road were still brightly illuminated by the streetlights.
âWhy did you ask me out so late at night?â
Tina toyed with the wine glass on the table as she dragged her sharp nails along the surface of the glass.
Then, Amber explained, âRemember when you wanted me to investigate Henryâs current location? I managed to get it two days ago.â
Tinaâs expression changed at that moment and she was becoming agitated. âWhy didnât you tell me earlier? Where is he now?â
âHeâs at a factory situated in the north of Africa. Thatâs probably the furthest foreign factory under the Burton Group. Your father had transferred him there to be a coolie.â
âSend me his exact address.â
âIâm afraid doing that would be useless.â Amber frowned with a conflicted expression.
âWhatâs wrong?â
Then, she opened the gallery in her phone before she pushed her phone slowly toward Tinaâs direction.
Under the illuminating bar lights, the dazzling phone display showed the image of a foreign death certificate with Henryâs name printed on it.
It was at this moment when Tinaâs pupils constricted before she snatched the phone in disbelief.
âTwo days ago, my men returned with the news that Henry was robbed on his way to purchase supplies and by the time those from the Burton Group found him, he was already gone..â
âThatâs impossible,â Tina mumbled as her face paled. Then, she quickly contacted someone and asked with a cold voice, âHugh, where is Henry right now?â
âI donât want to listen to your excuses! If you donât tell me where he is now, Iâll make sure that you wonât be working in Burton Group from tomorrow onward!â
After she heard something from the other end of the call, her gaze slowly dimmed.
She suddenly threw the phone aside in anger, which resulted in a loud crash and causing Amber to shriek before she stared at Tina in fear.
A second later, tears started to fall from Tinaâs eyes.
A while later, Amber composed herself before she tried to console Tina. âTina, you have to stay strong because itâs impossible for the dead to be resurrected. I feel like Iâm also partly responsible for this as I shouldnât have invited you over for my fatherâs birthday party. If I hadnât done that, Rachel wouldnât have discovered the truth and the subsequent events wouldnât haveâ¦â
Tinaâs eyes were red. âRachelâ¦â
She repeatedly mumbled Rachelâs name as she continued downing shots after shots of whiskey.
An eye for an eye, Tina swore to exact revenge on those who caused Henryâs death.
â¦
The morning sunlight pierced through the curtains the next morning.
Rachel woke up from her dream and she opened her eyes to see the repetitive patterns of the ceiling. It took her a while to recover from her daze when she heard the sound of water running down the drain in the bathroom.
A while later, she quickly closed her eyes and turned around when she heard the bathroom door opening.
The sound of soft footsteps was approaching closer toward her before the other person sat by the bedside.
âStill tired from yesterday?â
Justinâs simple words had caused Rachelâs eyelids to twitch before her face flushed. After she forced herself to open her eyes, she cautiously wrapped the blanket around her before she sat up.
Then, he commented nonchalantly, âI was still wondering how long youâre going to keep up the act.â
His hair was still wet as water droplets continued to drip onto his tanned chest before it fell into his towel.
As she recalled what had happened yesterday night, Rachel lost all courage to look at the man.
After wearing his shirt, Justin looked at her before he sneered, âI canât believe you are unable to even fake being asleep. What was Jefferey thinking when he sent you over?â
With that, he rose to his feet and prepared to leave. However, a hand reached out from the blanket and grabbed hold of him.
When he turned around to see the woman, he noticed that most of her flushed face was hidden under the blanket as she stared at him with teary eyes.
A frowning Justin stared at her from above before he asked, âDo you want me to accompany you?â
Rachel immediately quickly shook her head before her slender finger cautiously pointed at his shirt.
Your shirt buttonâs wrong.
He was taken aback and looked down to see that two of his buttons had been wrongly buttoned, making him look disheveled.
A while later, his deep voice rang out in the room. âDo it for me.â
A stunned Rachel had no choice but to extend her bare arms and grab her blanket with one hand while she used another hand to undo the buttons on Justinâs shirt amidst his pressurizing gaze.
As he stared at her exposed bare shoulder, his dark pupils slowly constricted. âAre you taking your sweet time so that you can try to seduce me?â
Rachel paused and quickly shook her head.
Iâm not.
âYouâre not what?â
She followed the direction of Justinâs gaze and looked down before gasping and tightening her hold on the blanket. At this moment, her pale face went as red as a tomato before she quickly hid her face underneath the blanket.
Justin didnât know why, but his mood brightened when he saw Rachel being so anxious.
After he buttoned his shirt again, he got up and left.
âItâs still early. You should continue sleeping if youâre still tired.â
Justinâs magnetic low voice along with a slight hint of gentleness echoed through the room.
By the time Rachel came back to her senses, he had already left. It seems like this is the first time Justin has actually spoken to me with so much calm. Is he worried about me?
She was confused.
Buzzâ
The sound of the vibrating phone rang out from the side of the bed.
When Rachel saw Hansâ text messages on her phone, she quickly returned to her senses.
â¦
In the library, he was walking past rows and rows of bookshelves while pushing his cart, helping her to place books on the higher parts of the shelves. âIs your leg better now?â
Rachel nodded. Itâs almost healed.
âHowâs the packing?â
Iâm almost done since I donât have much to pack in the first place and I can leave anytime I want to. Iâm just worried about Grandma.
As Nancyâs condition was unstable, she might not be able to withstand the long distance travel.
Upon hearing that, Hans suggested, âI can help you with that. I have a friend who works in a private hospital and he can help you out. If you send your grandma to the hospital earlier, they can help to make your identity anonymous.â
However, Rachel looked hesitant. That might not be possible. If I send Grandma over, it would be hard for me to keep it a secret. Moreover, Justin might be able to trace everything to you, so youâll be dragged into this as well.
âIâm fine with it.â
No. She shook her head with determination and rejected Hansâ suggestion.
Although she was fine with him helping her out with small issues, she couldnât risk having him involved in her plans.
Knowing that Rachel was a stubborn person, Hans argued, âAccording to what youâve said, Burton Group is extremely powerful, so Justin will be able to track you down no matter where you try to escape to. If you were to bring Nancy along with you, it would be impossible for you to even leave. I swear to GodâJustin will get his karma one day.â
Upon hearing Hans cursing Justin, Rachel suddenly frowned.
She didnât agree with his comments about Justin. Although Justin was a fearful man, he did help her out on several occasions in the past.
âRachel, what are you thinking about?â
I have an idea. She snapped out of her trance.
âWhat is it?â
He mentioned that besides those whom he can control, he only trusts those who are dead.
Hans was stunned.
As long as Iâm dead, he wonât try to look for me or make things difficult for Grandma.
Rachel placed the book in her hand onto the bookshelf with a calm and determined look in her eyes.