Chapter 734
When There Is Nothing Left But Love
I was dumbstruck. âAre there such unspoken rules?â
She pouted before going on, âTabitha and her fiancé were chatting and having a sweet couple time
moments earlier. Tell me, what is her fiancé doing now?â
I turned to look. âHe is cleaning the fishes.â I could not figure out what she was getting at.
She squinted her eyes and asked, âWould that be dirty and smelly?â
I nodded, and she gave me a despised look before elaborating, âShe did not bring the fruit when he
and Tabitha were free. She chose to go over at this particular moment when Tabitha had gone away to
wash the vegetables and when his hands are dirty and smelly. Donât you think it is intentional?â
âIt could be just a coincidence.â My eyes could not help following Rachelâs move, waiting to see what
unfolds next.
Rachel walked over with a plate of cut fruit and smilingly placed it in front of Tabithaâs fiancé. âYou have
worked hard. Why donât you take some fruit first?â
No one can be mean to a pretty lady smiling sweetly at you. He may not be interested in her, but it
would have been rude for him to reject her offer outright. Thus, he politely declined by saying, âThank
you, but I am afraid it is not a convenient time for me to eat now.â
âNo problem. Here you go.â Rachel casually picked up a piece of fruit with the toothpick and placed it
next to his mouth. He had no choice but to open his mouth and ate the fruit. He was blushing when he
mumbled a thank you with his mouth full.
Rachel smiled sweetly and cooed, âLoosen up. Tabitha and I are friends, so we are friends as well. This
is just a small gesture, so you donât have to thank me.â
She turned around and fed Tabitha a piece of fruit as well, then head back to Ashton.
Nora nudged me with her elbow and said, âDid you see that? She teased the man right in front of his
girlfriend, and she made it look so innocent. That is a siren. Whatever she does, no one will associate it
with bad intentions. Now, watch Tabithaâs fiancé.â
I followed her gaze. He was blushing and started stealing glances at Rachel.
I pursed my lips and frowned, âWhy did she do that?â
âFor fun. She is trying to project an image of being kind and innocent. The people around her would
feel she deserves to be pampered and will subconsciously indulge her. Look at how she is always
sticking to Ashton. People who donât know any better would think they are a couple and sing praises
about them.â
Nora gave a wry look and continued her analysis. âWhen you were at the hotel earlier today, I am sure
grandpa thought Ashton and she are husband and wife. She is an expert in using small gestures to
mislead people. The undiscerning would easily fall for her tricks.â
I had to agree with Noraâs analysis. Indeed, I had thought Ashton was to be blamed for Mr. Oberick
mistaking Rachel as his wife. In actual fact, Rachel was the one who projected that image by fussing
over the old man as if she was Ashtonâs better half. Since Ashton kept mum about it, everyone just
assumed she is Mrs. Fulller.
âSo she is the siren?â Suddenly, I saw Noraâs point.
Nora snapped her fingers and praised, âBingo, smart lass. It is very easy to identify a siren. All you
need to do is watch more soap operas and youâll be an expert in no time.â
I was not interested in soap operas so I was clueless. I paused, then questioned, âWhat about the
vixen?â
She raised an eyebrow and commented, âLook at Tessa. Since we got acquainted with her, what left
the deepest impression on you about her?â
âThe tales she told Ashton!â I blurted out without hesitation. I couldnât forget how she cooked up a
totally alien version of what happened to us in Venria!
If we did not overhear their conversation, Ashton would have likely been misled by her.
Nora signaled in Ashtonâs direction and exhorted, âLook, she is throwing herself at your man. Arenât you
going to check it out?â
I shook my head and said, âI had made my stand clear with Ashton. What goes on between the two of
them has nothing to do with me. How can I, as the one who pushed him away, stop him from seeing
other women. If I do that, I am no better than a siren or a vixen.â
Nora rolled her eyes at me and condemned, âNow I realize Rachel is the siren, Tessa is the vixen and
you are the moron. Make that a hopeless moron.â
I knew she was anxious for me, so I kept my peace. Noticing she was keeping her eyes on Rachel, I
reminded her, âFocus on cutting the vegetable, lest you cut your fingers.â