?Chapter 861:


    “Absolutely! Mrs. Vancepletely turned the situation around. She was sharp, quick-witted, and didn’t let Chloe get the upper hand at all!”


    An was momentarily surprised. Chloe was known for being blunt—borderline harsh at times.


    He had initially been concerned that Rachel might have a hard time dealing with her. But it turned out Rachel had handled it with ease.


    This was a relief. Even when he wasn’t around, she could handle herself just fine.


    That evening, Rachel made a point of asking An to leave work with her. The key detail? An’s car had been parked outside for a while, yet Rachel showed no intention of getting in right away. Instead, she lingered, waiting.


    Only when she saw Chloe walking out of the building with her purse did Rachel make her move. Deliberately, she opened the car door and climbed into An’s car right in front of Chloe.


    Seeing the scene unfold before her, Chloe’s lips tightened in disbelief. Rachel really had some nerve! Chloe’s anger simmered just below the surface. Determined to make her presence known, Chloe marched over, the sharp click of her heels echoing with authority. She knocked sharply on the car window.


    As the window slid down, she leaned in with a practiced smile. “Mr. Vance, what a surprise! I see you’ve been kind enough to give Ms. Marsh a ride today. Would you mind extending the same courtesy to me? I’m headed in the same direction as she is,” she said, her tone smooth.


    But An’s response was cool and dismissive. “Where’s your own car?”


    Chloe’s smile faltered slightly, but she quickly recovered. “Unfortunately, it broke down. Please, just this once.”


    An’s voice remained unwavering. “Then perhaps you should take a cab. Thepany will reimburse you.”


    Chloe’s face tightened, frustration and anger shing across her features. She opened her mouth to retort, but before she could, Alban drove off, leaving her standing there, fuming.


    Inside the car, An fought back a chuckle. Rachel looked over at him with a wry smile.


    “If you’re going tough, just go ahead. I can take it.”


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    After her verbal spar with Chloe earlier in the office, she had seen Alban’s figure. She now knew that An had been tipped off.


    “You really got under Chloe’s skin easily. I have to say, Rachel, you’ve truly impressed me,” An said, his tone filled with admiration.


    Rachel smiled back at him. “Oh, it was nothing. Just used you a little. I hope you’re not upset.”


    “Of course not.” An paused, his gaze serious as he added, “But Rachel, the gossip at thepany—it’s been hard on you. I haven’t handled it well. If you’re willing, I can make our marriage public.”


    Rachel turned to look at him, her eyes widening in surprise. An, sensing her shock, asked, “You don’t want to?”


    “Not exactly,” she responded quietly.


    She hadn’t expected An to offer such a thing. With Brian, he had gone to great lengths to keep their rtionship a secret. She had assumed An would do the same, so his suggestion caught her off guard.


    The next day, An had his secretary send out a meeting notice.


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