?Chapter 577:


    Rachel was momentarily stunned, her breath catching as Andres steadied her. For him, the brief moment felt like a rare treasure, his hand lingering gently on her waist. Tracy observed the scene with a quiet intensity; her expression was unreadable, but her eyes were sharp.


    The stillness was broken by Brian’s cold, cutting voice. “This isn’t the ce for romantic disys. If my terms are too harsh, Rachel, you’re wee to leave.”


    Embarrassed, Rachel turned to Andres, her voice soft but sincere. “I’m sorry for involving you,” she murmured before quickly stepping away to fetch the water.


    Discovering the kettle empty, Rachel decided to bring room-temperature water instead, thinking it might be safer after Brian’s earlier choking incident. But as she handed him the ss, his piercing gaze met hers, his tone sharp and unyielding.


    “Rachel,” Brian said firmly, “I was clear. I asked for hot water.”


    “Right away,” Rachel replied without hesitation, taking the ss back with quiet efficiency.


    Rachel returned momentster, carefully carrying a steaming ss of hot water, and handed it to Brian, her movements deliberate andposed.


    Brian took a small sip from the ss, only to m it down momentster, his voice cutting through the air. “Too hot. Are you trying to burn me?”


    “No, I didn’t mean to!” Rachel quickly apologized, her face flushing with embarrassment. “Let me cool it down for you.”


    Rachel blew gently on the water, lowering its temperature before handing it back to Brian, her hands trembling slightly.


    Feel the thrill at gα?ησν????s﹒??o??


    Yet his expression remained stern. “Now it’s not hot enough,” he said, his tone cold and unrelenting.


    Rachel bit back a sigh. She knew the issue wasn’t the temperature of the water; it never was. This was his way of testing her patience, of making her jump through hoops. And she was running out of strength to keep up with it.


    Since their first encounter, Brian had been nothing but calcting, a man who always saw everything through the lens of profit and loss. He didn’t act without a reason and certainly never out of kindness. She had underestimated him, thinking she could make him care. But in the end, she should have known better.


    Rachel’s frustration simmered just below the surface, but she held it in. “What do you want me to do?” she asked, the wordsing out quieter than she intended, a mix of exasperation and resignation.


    Before Brian could answer, Andres stepped forward, his presence a protective shield. He gently took Rachel’s hand, pulling her behind him with an air of quiet authority. “Rachel, you don’t need to beg him,” he said firmly. “I’ll figure something out for Jeffrey. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice yourself for him.”


    Andres addressed Brian. “Mr. White, I’ve always regarded you as a sessful businessman. Please don’t lower my opinion of you. Using threats against a woman? That’s beneath any real man.” His remarks were prating.


    Brian, unprovoked to anger, responded with a sardonic grin. With an air of intrigue, he replied, “Really? I’d be interested to know how you intend to secure Jeffrey’s release.”


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