After hesitating for a moment, Julian said, “Nothing. I just wanted to say that the weather’s good today. I’ll bring you and those two out to have a walk. The air here in Southwind is quite clean.”
“Don’t you have to go back to work?’
“I’m on leave today.”
Hearing that, she gave him a nod as a smile crept up her eyes.
The moment Gloria heard that they were going out, she quickly got off the piano and ran to the kitchen to discuss with Mary what food to pack. “Sandwiches, juice, milk… Oh, most importantly, the barbecue stand and the hammock!”
Victor then sighed with exasperation. “Do you think you’re going on a preschool field trip?”
The two continued to banter.
As Julian helped Rachel up, they gave each other a helpless smile.
Before leaving the house, a few bodyguards that Justin had assigned blocked Rachel from going out.
At once, Gloria said with annoyance, “What are you doing?”
“Miss Hochmann, Mr. Burton ordered that Mrs. Burton must not leave the premises.”
“We’ll be back at night. Just let it slide this time.”
“We can’t do that. Miss Hochmann, please don’t make things difficult for us.”
Turning back to take a look at Rachel, Gloria saw her face slowly darken.
‘It’s alright, Gloria. We don’t have to go!
“No way!”
With a dark face, Gloria said, “Rae, give me a moment.”
After saying that, she immediately walked away to make a phone call.
“Hello? It’s me.”
The one who picked up the call was Frankie. “Miss Hochmann? What can I help you with?”
After hearing what Gloria said, Frankie quickly headed to the ballroom to find Justin. “Mr. Burton, Miss Hochmann has called.”
Today, Justin donned a white suit which he rarely did. Compared to a black suit, the white suit toned down his angsty evil aura of his. He seemed much more peaceful in white.
At this moment, a lot of people were crowding the ballroom as they were all here to attend the engagement party of him and Amber.
“What is it?”
“Miss Hochmann said that Dr. Peters is with them today. They wanted to bring Mrs. Burton out, but they were stopped by Winston and the others.”
As Justin frowned, he noticed someone making their way toward him as they held their dress. He then said with a deep tone, “Just have them tag along.”
“Okay.”
Immediately, Frankie left with the phone.
The person who came to Justin was none other than Amber. She was wearing a long gown in light pink, “Why is Frankie in such a hurry? Did something happen?”
“Nothing. It’s just work. Let’s go.”
unenthusiastic. Hence, she decided to follow him with a frown.
As she walked, she asked the person by her side sotto voce, “How’s the plan going?”
“Don’t worry, the people are already prepared.”
Southwind Villa was close to several scenic areas that were less crowded in Riverdale. They were surrounded by forests and a big lake.
Julian led Rachel and the others to the side of the lake to lay out the picnic mat while Victor was in charge of the barbecue. Though Gloria still had a cast on one of her legs and had to rely on a crutch to support her, she still managed to set up the hammock between two trees.
Seeing that, Victor couldn’t help but comment, “You’re still very active despite being disabled.”
At once, she rolled her eyes at him. “Do you have nothing else to say?”
As Rachel was sitting on the foldable chair, Julian brought a woolen blanket over to cover her. “Are you cold?”
She shook her head in response. At this moment, she was facing the lake that had small ripples on its surface.
As it was autumn, there were fallen leaves all over the hill. The scenery was really magnificent.
“Drink some water.”
Thank you.
Standing by her side, he asked, “When the child is born, what are your plans?”
Taking a glance at Gloria and Victor, she hummed before she made a hand sign saying, ‘Probably leave Riverdale
Her reply caught him off guard. Then, his gaze transferred to the few bodyguards who were standing nearby. and he understood.
“I understand.”
Riverdale was a place that brought her too much pain. If she could leave, it would be good for her.
Undeniably, Gloria and Victor’s presence had added joy to the one-day trip. After a relaxing day outside, they returned home by night time.
After dinner, Julian left only after seeing Rachel rest.
“Dr. Peters,” Gloria called out as she limped out of the house with a crutch. “Thank you for today.”
“What are you thanking me for?”
“You chose to come today for a reason, right?”
Looking back at the well-lit bedroom, Gloria continued, “I didn’t know what to do today. I was afraid that I’d say the wrong things and upset Rachel. Thankfully, you came.”
Hearing that, he replied, “She’s much stronger than we think.”
The news of Justin and Amber’s engagement today was far-spread across Riverdale. There was no chance that Rachel was oblivious of it.
Despite that, she went along with them to have fun outside today. They went out and came back in a happy mood, and Rachel didn’t act anything out of normal.
“Go back. I’ll take my leave first. You can call me anytime if anything comes up.”
“Sure. Drive safe, Dr. Peters.”
After seeing his car leave the compound, she headed back into the house.
At this moment, Victor was making a gesture facing the tea table. A sign language book was on the table.
“You got it wrong.” Gloria rolled her eyes as she limped her way to the seat opposite Victor. “At the speed you’re going, you’ll never learn sign language in this life.”
“You know this?” He got angry because of her insults. “Show me then if you know it.”
“Why would I want to learn this? I just have to understand it.”
At once, he was stunned as realization dawned upon him.
That’s true. I just have to understand it. I don’t have to learn how to do it myself.
“Silly. You can have fun learning. I’ll go find Rachel.”
“Don’t keep her up too long. Let her rest early today.”
“Okay!”
Looking at Gloria’s figure walking away, he felt that he no longer felt as repulsed as he initially did with her.
The night was getting darker.
Victor was reading a book alone in the living room. From time to time, he’d take a glance at the bedroom. It’s been so long since Gloria has gone in. Why do women have so much to talk about?
After some time, a sharp scream came from the bedroom.
“Who are you?”
“Help!”
Immediately, Victor tossed the book and rushed inside.
In the bedroom, Gloria was held captive by two men in black, while Rachel had fallen off the bed. At this moment, a black shadow holding a shiny metal stick was closing in on her.
Without hesitation, Victor rushed forward.
Nevertheless, the opponent seemed to be very well-trained. It didn’t take long before Victor was defeated.
“No!”
Holding onto the heels of the opponent’s leg, Victor gave his all so that the opponent wouldn’t be able to reach Rachel.
“Rachel, run!”
“You don’t know when to stop, huh?!” With a hard stomp, the man in black stepped on Victor’s finger, and a crisp sound of bone cracking was exceptionally loud and clear to the ears.
At once, Rachel’s pupils contracted in fear. As much as she wanted to scream, she couldn’t. Backing up to the corner of the room, she looked at the black shadow who stood before her in fear. At this moment, her face turned completely pale.
The bodyguard who should be guarding the house was nowhere to be seen. The three men in black must have entered from the window on the first floor. The moment they breached in, they apprehended Gloria who started yelling
At this moment, Gloria’s mouth was covered, and her eyes were red as she was anxious.
Rachel didn’t have the ability to even yell.
The metal stick that was swung at her flashed a gleam of cold light. Keeping her eyes shut, she felt the pain that followed the next moment.
