?Chapter 789:


    The first person to step up and speak was someone Rachel deeply respected.


    “Good morning, everyone. I know many of you were looking forward to hearing from Mr. White. Unfortunately, due to unexpected circumstances, he won’t be able to attend. So, I’ll be kicking things off instead.”


    Rachel was taken aback. Was Brian actually the first speaker?


    “Samira, can you hand me the agenda?” Rachel flipped open the booklet, and when she read the speaker lineup, she froze in surprise. It turned out Brian was indeed one of the featured guests.


    Had he backed out because of what she said the day before?


    That meant their meeting yesterday hadn’t been nned by him—it was purely coincidental.


    Maybe because of this, whenever Brian was expected at an event, he sent Ronald in his ce instead.


    But no matter how much he avoided Rachel, there were still social events where their paths would inevitably cross.


    That Wednesday, An received an invitation to a business cocktail party.


    He asked Rachel to join him and was upfront about it. “He’ll be there too. If you’re okay with that, let me know, and I’ll wait for you. If not, no pressure.”


    By five in the evening, Rachel had made up her mind. “I’ll go with you.” There was no avoiding it forever. Sooner orter, they would run into each other. As long as their meetings weren’t intentional, she figured she could handle it.


    “I’ll have Albane get you.”


    “Okay.”


    By seven, they arrived right on schedule.


    An knew quite a few people there, and the room buzzed with conversations about possible business deals.


    The moment they stepped in, they were swept into an endless cycle of handshakes, introductions, and polite small talk, leaving little room to breathe.


    Rachel stood beside him, smiling and engaging as best as she could, but after what felt like hours in her stiff new heels, her feet ached, and her back started to hurt.


    While keeping up with the conversations, she subtly rubbed her lower back.


    When someone approached for another toast, An declined with a polite smile. “Sorry, give us about half an hour.”


    Then, without another word, he took Rachel by the arm and led her away.


    “An, what’s going on?” she asked, slightly surprised. “Did something happen?”


    An gently took the wine ss from her hand. “You’re not feeling great, and that matters to me.”


    “I’m fine. I’m here for you tonight. I don’t want to let you down.”


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