Chapter 33
Sophie discharged herself from the hospital against Arthur’s protests, claiming she couldn’t miss any more work. Her forehead had mostly healed thanks to expensive imported medication Arthur had procured for
her.
Free from hospital restrictions, Sophie headed straight to Moonlight Club, throwing her designer bag onto the leather couch with obvious frustration.
“Your grandfather’s still laid up in the hospital?” A woman with platinum blonde waves lounged beside her, deliberately blowing cigarette smoke in Sophie’s direction.
“Yvonne, seriously? Do you have to smoke right in my face?” Sophie snapped.
Yvonne Jones gave her a pouty look. “When you need me, I’m ‘babe.’ When you’re done with me, you want
me to fuck off.”
Sophie grabbed Yvonne’s cigarette and took a drag. “Your brilliant plan with Anita at the gala was a total disaster. Look what it got me.” She gestured at her healing bruise.
“Aw, honey, did your sweet sister give you that shiner?” Yvonne examined the mark with mock sympathy.
Sophie downed her drink in one gulp. “I had no idea Rachel had so much backup. Not just old man Donald,
but Charles Rothschild is in her corner too!”
“Relax, babe. There are always… other options,” Yvonne said, her smile turning predatory.
She crushed out her cigarette and leaned in close. “What if the old man had some kind of tragic accident? Then nobody could protect little Rachel anymore. You could do whatever the hell you wanted with her.”
Sophie’s glass trembled in her hands, caught between terror and excitement.
“Are you… are you actually serious right now?”
“Think about it, sweetie. Once he’s out of the picture, Rachel’s got nothing-no power, no protection. We just need to be smart about it. Power failures, equipment malfunctions… accidents happen all the time.”
Meanwhile, Rachel had been recovering at the hospital for several days. Nicolas refused to let her leave, insisting the hospital was the only place he could guarantee her safety. She appreciated the rare moments of
peace.
Matt had tracked down Sophie’s nightclub activities and identified Yvonne from security footage, though Rachel didn’t recognize the woman.
16:12
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Chapter 33
When a nurse announced that Donald had woken up, Rachel jumped to her feet too quickly and felt lightheaded. Matt immediately insisted on wheeling her to the room.
Outside Donald’s door, she encountered an unwelcome scene.
“Oh, sister! Here to see Grandpa too?” Sophie’s syrupy voice pierced the quiet.
Sophie was draped all over Jaxon’s arm, wearing a flowing designer dress. Jaxon, still in his racing suit from whatever event he’d just left, was gently brushing hair from her face with a tenderness Rachel had never seen directed at herself.
Rachel felt a bitter pang, realizing all her years of pursuing him meant nothing compared to Sophie’s three
years.
“We just bumped into each other,” Sophie lied smoothly, pressing closer to Jaxon.
Rachel didn’t bother exposing the obvious lie.
Sophie launched into another performance about how Rachel was jealous and possessive over Jaxon, who “didn’t belong to anyone.”
11
“Sophie’s got a point, Rachel,” Jaxon said, completely missing the manipulation. “I really hope you can get over whatever issues you have with her. She’s an amazing person.”
“Not happening,” Rachel replied firmly. “Some things can’t be forgiven. Ever.”
“Sophie’s been through hell. Do you really need to be such a bitch to her?” Jaxon snapped.
“What, did the racing champion become a babysitter?” Rachel shot back, maneuvering her wheelchair
toward the door.
“Grandpa needs his rest. Maybe don’t bother him unless it’s actually important.”
She entered the room where Donald waited with outstretched arms,
“Rachel, sweetheart, come here. Everyone else-get lost.”
