Filed to story: Betrayal At The Altar Novel Free PDF (Rachel Grey & Louis Smith) >>
From Rachel’s every word and action, it was obvious that she had been well–raised. Her mannerisms also showed how she treated the people around her.
These were qualities that could only be learned over a long time. They could not possibly have been developed within a short period.
Judging from her years of experience, Old Mrs. Jones believed Rachel was an extraordinary girl.
She knew David would have to put in a lot of effort to win Rachel’s heart. It would not be an easy journey at all.
It was still drizzling sporadically. Rachel reached out and felt the raindrops with her palms.
David stood beside her with one hand in his pocket. His thin lips slightly curled up while admiring her delicate face. “Would you like to come with me to the tea room?”
Rachel looked at him and was caught off guard by his mesmerizing eyes. She felt like she was choking.
She curled her fingertips and exhaled lightly. After trying her best to calm her pounding heart, she smiled and said, “Okay.”
The tea room was located in the West Wing. It was an exquisite and elegant place.
The arched shelf divided the tea room into two areas, the inner and outer zone. A bronze incense burner was placed on the table in the outer zone, and the smell of incense smoke complemented the residual tea fragrance in the air.
Rachel looked around her surroundings. She noticed a painting on the wall, and her eyes sparkled.
That painting was titled “Spring Clouds and Morning Haze“. It was painted by the famous Leonard DeAngelo, and it had been bought anonymously by someone at the Fujiby auction.
The people invited to the Fujiby auction all had a net worth of at least 40 million dollars.
For someone to participate in the auction anonymously, they must have been at least a mid–tier member for three years and had a net worth of more than 200 million dollars.
Rachel scrutinized David with curiosity.
She thought, “I wonder what this man’s background is exactly?”
David sat on the chair. The neckline of his shirt was slightly open, and the lines of his collarbone could be seen faintly.
It made his usual aloof self appear a lot wilder and unruly.
The warm light engulfed the man, making him appear a lot less intimidating.
His gaze was lowered, and there seemed to be an imperceptible smile on his face. He made a pot of tea in an orderly fashion, and at last, he placed one cup in front of Rachel. His deep and intoxicating voice rang out. “When will you be discharged?”
Rachel picked up the teacup in front of her and took a sip. The tea was fragrant, mellow, and sweet. She replied calmly, “Tomorrow.”
“I’ll give you a ride tomorrow.” David’s voice was rather deep. It was one that commanded respect.
Rachel shook her head lightly. “I appreciate your kind intentions, Mr. Jones, but I don’t need it.”
David raised his gaze and stared at Rachel with his dark unblinkingly.
Suddenly, his lips curled into a smile. His voice was low and seductive as he said, “You’re afraid of me.”
Rachel tightened her grip around the teacup, but her expression did not change. She met his eyes calmly. “Am I?”
David’s eyes were very dark, and it was difficult to tell what he was thinking. However, he had an intimidating aura that made Rachel feel almost suffocated just by being around him.
This man was far more unfathomable than she had imagined. Perhaps it would be impossible to ever understand him.
She thought to herself, “I can’t afford to offend him, but at the very least, I can still hide from him.”
David noticed Rachel’s downcast gaze. With dark eyes, he said, “I won’t force you, and I don’t expect you to answer me. But don’t you think your brief answers are too heartless?”
In all honesty, just the sight of David’s face was enough to bewitch most people.
Everyone liked beautiful things, and Rachel was no exception. When faced with David’s charming face, she felt a profound liking to it. His looks were greatly pleasing to her eyes.
But Louis’s betrayal had left a hole in her heart. Even though David was very nice to her, it wouldn’t be easy for her to feel moved by another man again.
“Mr. Jones, you seem to have full confidence in yourself, don’t you?” Rachel looked at David with an imperceptible smile on her face. Her words sounded slightly mocking.
David leaned back in his chair. His fingertips were tracing the mouth of his blue patterned porcelain tea cup. He said casually, “That’s because I know that there is no one in this world, except me, who is worthy of you.”
His tone was flat, but there was an air of self–importance that could not be concealed.
Rachel stared at him for a moment. Then, suddenly, a bright smile appeared on her crimson lips. However, there was a trace of coldness in the depths of her eyes.
She slammed her teacup on the table, and in a vexed tone, she exclaimed, “Mr. Jones, are you trying to say that it’s inevitable for me to accept you in this lifetime?”
“No.” David stared at Rachel’s annoyed face, and his lips curled into a smile. He enunciated each word clearly, “I meant that in this lifetime, I’m certain I want you.”
That short sentence made Rachel feel like a grenade had exploded in her heart.
Her eyelashes fluttered, and she lowered her gaze as her fingers curled into tight fists.
The faint scent of sandalwood lingering in the air made Rachel feel increasingly breathless. She stood up abruptly and said, “It’s getting late. I should go back and rest.”
Unexpectedly, David grabbed her wrist.
The temperature of David’s palm seemed to burn Rachel. She instinctively tried to break free. However, the man in front of her tightened his grip.
“Once bitten, twice shy,” David said. “The thing that a life event teaches us is a lesson for us to learn instead of making us timid.” David noticed that Rachel’s rigid body gradually relaxed. He then tentatively lifted his hand to hold Rachel’s chin, preventing her from evading his gaze. “You can reject me with prickly thorns all over your body, but I won’t give up embracing you because of that,” he said.