Betrayal At the Altar by Dolores Delia

Chapter 470

Rache lowered her eyes and said quietly, “Grandpa, you’re so clever.”

“I can see clearly that your heart isn’t on the chess game.” Arthur let on a sigh. His deep and mellow tone seemed

to imply a hidden meaning in his words.

Rachel’s eyes flickered slightly. She pursed her lips and did not say anything.

Arthur smiled. “Since you have something on your mind, you don’t have to stay here with me.”

“All right then, I’ll leave first,” Rachel said.

Arthur gave her a dismissive wave before reaching for his cup.

As he sat on the stone bench in the pavilion and watched Rachel leave, his smile gradually faded.

“Sir, you’re too soft-hearted,” Mr. Chadwick said.

Hearing this, Arthur looked up at Mr. Chadwick and sighed. “How can I not be soft-hearted toward her?”

Arthur watched Rachel grow up all these years. She shared many of her mother’s personality traits.

There was no way for Arthur to be heart-hearted toward Rachel.

Mr. Chadwick’s lips curled into a faint smile. “You’re all born in different eras. You seem indulgent toward Miss Grey.”

Arthur stood up and walked to the river as he said wistfully, “It’s all my fault. I owe them too much in my previous

life.”

Just then, a breeze blew past, causing some leaves on the ground to rustle.

Arthur’s eyes had a troubled look as if he was struggling with conflicting emotions. “Look, a gentle wind is blowing.”

Mr. Chadwick was still smiling although his gaze was cold and devoid of emotion. “Yes, a change is in the h*rizon.”

Rachel rushed back into the hospital building and walked into the elevator. Just then, David sent her a message. [I

have some matters to attend to. I’ll leave first. See you tonight.]

She pursed her lips and quickly typed a reply. [What did you guys talk about?] David replied, [A major event in my

life.]

By the time Rachel received his reply, she was already at the door of the hospital ward.

As soon as she entered the room, she asked Tom, “Uncle, what did you guys talk about just now?”

“Nothing.” Tom replied calmly.

There was a hint of complexity as he looked up at Rachel. “Rae-Rae, are you sure you want to be with David?”

“Yes.” Rachel had a faint smile on her lips. Her almond-shaped eyes flickered with determination. “He will soon

become your nephew-in-law.”

Tom did not say anything. He took out a cigarette and was about to light it when he suddenly remembered that they

were in the hospital. He had to restrain himself.

“Have you thought about…”

“I’ve thought about it.” Rachel seemed to know what Tom wanted to say. She spoke first. “I know that his identity is

complex. I also know that it’s going to be dangerous if I am with him, but I won’t regret my decision.”

Hearing this, Tom fell silent.

He wondered if he should tell Rachel what David had offered in return for Tom’s approval of the relationship.

Earlier, David had agreed to help Tom conclude a multi-million dollar deal with some foreign investors. He also

promised to sponsor the subsequent Seaxas project personally. It was rather infuriating to hear him resolve the

situation using money as if it did not cost him a cent.

However, Tom had already accepted David’s favors. He could not go back on his word. Now, he had no reason to

object to them being together.

Thinking of this, Tom sighed. “Does your grandfather know about your relationship?”

“I haven’t thought of what to say to him,” Rachel answered honestly. “Grandpa’s just recovered. I’m worried that he

might get angry…”

“Ha!” Tom forced a smile. “You actually thought of his health even though you are head over heels in love with

David.”

“Uncle!” Rachel looked at him indignantly.

Tom said, “Since you’ve already decided, I can’t do anything to stop you. Just remember that the Johnson family will

always be behind you. Never let yourself suffer. Do you understand?”

Rachel grunted in acknowledgment. She stared at Tom and pondered for a moment before asking slowly, “Uncle,

do you know anything about this? Why does Grandpa insist that I break off the engagement?”

Chapter 471

This question had bothered Rachel for the longest time.

It was true that the more one could not get an answer, the more persistent one

was.

Regardless of Arthur or Tom, they always had a hesitant look whenever they mentioned the engagement. This

made Rachel even more curious.

When Tom heard this, he raised his eyebrows slightly. He picked up the glass of water on the table and replied

perfunctorily, “Your mother was the one who arranged this engagement. I don’t know the details. Besides, didn’t

you say in the past that you were worried that you won’t be happy if you got married…”

“Okay, okay,” Rachel interrupted him. “If you don’t want to tell me, I won’t ask any further.”

She was not a three-year-old child. How could she not know that it was just his excuse not to answer her question?

Tom looked at her. His lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to say something.

In the end, he chose not to say anything. He drank the water of water in one gulp. Just as the two of them fell into

silence, they heard Arthur’s voice from outside the ward.

Exchanging looks, Rachel and Tom stood up and walked toward the door.

When they came out, they saw Arthur talking to a man.

The man was in his fifties. He was wearing a suit, and his eyes looked sharp. “This is Sam Turner. He’s the person in

charge of the Chamber of Commerce. He was appointed to the position two years ago,” Tom whispered to Rachel.

Given the Johnson family’s status in Seaxas, every incumbent head of the Chamber of Commerce had to visit

Arthur as soon as he was appointed.

Despite his age, Arthur was still the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce.

Of course, Sam had to pay him a courtesy visit.

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Although he was talking to Arthur, he was observant enough to notice Rachel’s

presence.

“This is…” He looked at Rachel scrutinizing, her subtly from top to bottom.

Arthur gestured for Rachel to go over. “This is my granddaughter, Rachel Grey. She has been studying overseas.”

He then turned to Rachel. “Rae-Rae, this is Sam.”

“Hello, Sam.” Rachel nodded slightly. Her demeanor was self-assured yet not arrogant.

Sam had long heard of the heiress of the Johnson family, who was known as Miss Grey.

Although Rachel took on her father’s surname, all the men in the Johnson family doted on her, showering her with

much love and attention.

When Sam saw how pretty Rachel was, he finally understood why the Johnson family regarded her as the apple of

their eyes and kept her away from the public

eye.

“Hello, Miss Grey. Nice to meet you.” Sam took a step forward and extended his hand to Rachel.

Rachel shook his hand lightly.

The group then walked into the ward, chatting about the meeting that was to be held at the Chamber of Commerce

in a week.

Arthur told Sam he would be attending the meeting with Rachel.

Sam was thrilled to hear that.

As he left, he suddenly looked at Rachel. “Miss Grey, have we met somewhere before?”

As soon as he said this, not only was Rachel caught by surprise, but Arthur and Tom also gave Sam a puzzled look.

Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Sam smiled sheepishly. “I probably mistook you for someone else.

He then left after bidding them farewell.

Soon after, Rachel also left the hospital.

As she stepped into the elevator, someone bumped hard into her.

The incident did not bother Rachel at all.

She only realized that her phone was missing when she reached the parking lot.

Chapter 472

Rachel thought of the person who bumped into her earlier, and a cold glint flashed across her eyes.

“Miss Grey.” Rachel heard a familiar voice call out to her from behind.

Rachel turned around and saw Darcy.

She said in surprise, “Darcy,”

“Are you looking for this?” Darcy walked forward and handed the phone to Rachel.

When Rachel saw the phone, her eyes flickered slightly. She then broke into a smile. “Thank you.”

She took the phone and asked casually, “Where did you find it?”

Darcy said with a deadpan expression, “I saw what happen by coincidence.” Coincidence again.

Darcy noticed the indifference in Rachel’s eyes. He lowered his eyes to hide his self-deprecating expression. “Miss

Grey, if there’s nothing else, I’ll leave first.”

“Okay.” Rachel watched Darcy leave in silence.

She knew that she should not have doubted Darcy.

However, after what had happened recently, it was difficult for her not to suspect that Darcy had other motives.

Even if she disregarded the pickpocket’s motive, she would have expected the person to have fled the scene

immediately. How could Darcy have caught up with him and sn*tched the phone back from him?

Unless Darcy knew the other party’s intentions right from the start.

If everything was as she had expected, then what had Darcy protected her from harm all these years?

Soon, the driver pulled up in front to pick up Rachel.

Rachel got into the car immediately. As she looked up at the gradually thickening night sky, her almond-shaped eyes

were filled with contemplation.

After dark, the city of Seaxas was transformed into a colorful and dynamic playground for partygoers.

Darcy drove straight to a bar.

The bar exuded an atmosphere of romance, with dim lighting and plush, opulent__ decor that set the mood for

intimacy.

The crowd on the dance floor was a writhing mass of bodies pulsing to the beat of the music. Occasionally, their

bodies would inadvertently brush against each other as they exchanged amorous glances. They were moving to the

music with carefree abandon.

Darcy looked indifferently at the crowd as he walked steadily toward the elevator.

When the man at the bar counter saw Darcy, he immediately picked up intercom.

the

However, before he could say anything, Darcy pinned him down on the bar counter using his body weight.

As the man instinctively moved his hand to his waist, he heard Darcy speak in a calm voice, “This is Seaxas. I advise

you not to act rashly. Otherwise, even Boss won’t be able to save you.”

Hearing this, the man gritted his teeth and glared indignantly at Darcy.

“Are you going to invite me in, or should I go in myself?” Darcy asked coldly as he spoke into the intercom.

The man on the other end of the phone chuckled and gave the man with the buzz-cut a sidelong glance.

Not long after, the man with the buzz-cut walked out of a thick wooden door. He turned slightly and made a gesture

for Darcy to follow him.

Darcy snorted coldly and walked straight toward the wooden door.

The man with the buzz-cut frowned as he watched Darcy walk past him.

He was impressed at Darcy’s resourcefulness.

Darcy had found their hiding place without much difficulty. The place, which used to be a dock, had been

transformed into a bar.

There was nothing Darcy could not do.

In the dark corridor, Darcy walked straight to the innermost private room.

The door swung open. Hell’s crossed legs were resting on the corner of the table. He held a dart in his hand and

stabbed it at the man on the wall.

The man was so brutally beaten that his face was unrecognizable. He stared in fear at the darts directed at him,

and his entire body trembled uncontrollably. His hands and feet were tied up, and he had nowhere to escape.

“Since you’ve come to look for me, you’ve saved me the trouble of looking for you.” Hell said, thrusting a dart into

the ear of the man.

The man howled in pain as blood flowed from his ear.

Darcy glanced at Hell indifferently. He then pulled out a chair and sat in front of

Chapter 473

Hell gave the man with the buzz cut a look.

The man with the buzz cut understood Hell’s instructions immediately and took the man tied to the board away with

two others. He then closed the door of the private room.

Only the two men were left in the private room.

Darcy went straight to the point and warned Hell, “I’m cautioning you. Leave her alone!”

“Most people say that dogs are the most loyal animals in the world, but I don’t think that’s the case.” Hell raised his

eyes, revealing a coldness. The corners of his mouth curled into a faint smile, hinting at evil. “Or have you had a

change of heart after getting a facelift?”

Hearing this, Darcy’s eyes suddenly looked dangerously hostile. He stared at Hell intensely. “You should be glad that

I’ve changed my facial appearance. Otherwise, do you think you will still be alive?”

Hell lazily leaned back in his seat, his left hand supporting his temple. His right hand was fiddling a ring. “Why is it

that I prefer to see you kill people with no regard for their lives?”

If this was the case, he would be able to win Darcy to his side.

Darcy was once known as the Shadow, who was a cold-blooded and ruthless killer. He was an execellent assasin.

It was a pity that Darcy had now stopped killing because of a woman.

“Cut the cr*p.” Darcy’s voice was harsh and icy. “I won’t stop you from doing what you want to do, but just leave

her alone. You know what I’m capable of.”

Hell narrowed his eyes and gave a half-smile. There was a hint of evil in the corners of his eyes. “Tell me who that

woman is.”

Darcy frowned. “That’s none of your business.”

“Maybe you should have a look at this,” Hell handed a document to Darcy.

Darcy stared at him with a burning gaze. He then lowered his eyes and looked at the document.

It was a genetic tast report.

Darcy now understood why Hell sent someone to steal Sophia’s ashes earlier.

Darcy’s pupils dilated as his heart sk*pped a beat.

Hell took in the change in Darcy’s expression, and his smile widened. “I

discovered something even more interesting while I was investigating this.”

“That’s enough.” Darcy interrupted him coldly. He looked up at Hell and said, “This matter ends here. Stop

investigating.”

“Tell me who this woman is.” Hell’s smile faded a little, and a cold light flickered in his eyes.

Darcy looked at him and said calmly, “She’s Miss Grey from the Johnson family. Her name is Rachel Grey.”

Hell chuckled, and the smirk on his face disappeared. “You know that’s not what I’m talking about.”

“I won’t say a thing.”

“Shadow, don’t forget who your real boss is.”

“Shadow has been loyal to only one person all his life. What right do you have to warn me?” Darcy looked at him

disdainfully.

Hell gripped his ring tightly and gritted his teeth. He glared at Darcy with bloodshot eyes.

Suddenly, he let out a guffaw. “Not long ago, you fought with me over that woman’s ashes. Today, you hurt my men

and sna tched my phone away. Rachel and the Johnson family are already suspicious of you. Why do you still want

to protect her?”

Darcy knew better than anyone that what he did would make them suspicious.

He had watched Rachel grow up. He knew what every single look on her face

meant.

Nevertheless, he wanted to take a gamble.

He banked on the years of friendship with Rachel that she would not doubt him.

Darcy raised his eyes and looked at Hell calmly. “Whose instructions do you think I’m following to protect her?”

He picked up the genetic test and stood up. “I’ll say it again. I won’t stop you from doing what you want to do, but

leave Miss Grey alone.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he took out a lighter and placed it near the report. He then turned to leave after

tossing the document into the ashtray.

Chapter 474

After Old Mr. Johnson was discharged from the hospital, Rachel had been staying at Johnson’s Mansion.

It was already ten o’clock. If it wasn’t for this, Rachel would definitely have gone to bed at this hour.

However, when she remembered what her maternal grandfather had said to her at the study today, she was

immediately wide awake.

She tossed and turned in bed when she suddenly received a text from David. “Are you asleep?”

Rachel turned around and lay on the bed. His fingertips tapped quickly on the keyboard as she replied, “Not yet.”

The next second, David sent a photo.

No one was more familiar with the background of this photo than Rachel was.

She quickly jumped out of bed, grabbed a thin jacket, and rushed out of her

room.

She was in such a hurry that she almost bumped into Ms. Wright, who was holding a glass of warm milk. “Miss Grey,

where are you going so late at night?”

“Outside for some fresh air,” Rachel said before disappearing from Ms. Wright’s sight.

It had always been chilly at night in Seaxas in the autumn.

Rachel took a sightseeing tram to the entrance of Johnson’s Mansion.

She noticed David standing under the street lamp at first glance.

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He was wearing a black suit and was almost blending into the night behind him.

He stood motionless like a Greek sculpture, exuding an unconcealable aura of nobility.

His facial features were well-defined and deep, like an exceptional piece of G*d’s creation. His every subtle action

could show his emotions to the extreme.

The two of them had only not seen each other for a few days, but Rachel felt as if it had been a few years already.

Rachel’s eyes curved into a smile as she quickly ran towards him.

The moment David saw Rachel, the coldness in his eyes quickly resolved into a gentle smile. “Slow down.”

Rachel pounced into his arms and raised her head to kiss his chin. Her beautiful eyes were glistening. “If I don’t

hurry up, what if another girl seduces you and

takes you away from me?”

“You’re the only one for me.” David’s palm landed on her slender waist. “Why are you still up?”

Rachel leaned against David’s chest and sensitively smelled an unusual scent on him.

It was the smell of blood.

Even his cologne couldn’t completely cover the smell of blood.

Could it be that he was injured?

Her brows furrowed imperceptibly as she buried her face in his chest and sniffed harder, just to confirm her guess.

“I’m going to the Chamber of Commerce tomorrow. My maternal grandfather asked me to talk to him,” Rachel

answered absentmindedly.

David sensed her intentions, but he did not stop her. Instead, he stretched out a well-defined finger and lifted her

chin. His dark eyes stared at her without blinking, and his thin lips curled into a meaningful smile. “You’ve been

sniffing for a long time. What did you smell?”

Seeing that her intentions were seen through, Rachel did not panic at all. She looked at him calmly and said, “The

smell of blood.”

“Are you afraid of me?” David asked.

Rachel held his hand and rubbed her face against his palm like a kitten. “Yes, I’m so afraid of you.”

Although she said that she was afraid, her eyes did not change at all.

David’s dark eyes were filled with complicated emotions. “Rachel, you can go back on your words…”

Before he could finish his sentence, Rachel h**ked her fingertips around his collar, stood on her tiptoes, raised her

head, and kissed him on the lips.

After the kiss, Rachel looked at him. “Is this enough?”

David looked down at her. There was a faint trace of warmth in his bottomless eyes. “Yes.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he bent down and kissed Rachel again.

Chapter 475

After a long time, David finally let go of her.

He looked down at the woman in his arms who was panting heavily. His dark eyes were filled with undisguised

dominance and lust. “Since you’ve made your choice, there’s no going back on it.”

His tone was light and casual, but every word he said made Rachel’s heart flutter.

She raised her eyes slightly and looked at him as she asked softly, “Are you injured?”

David shook his head and asked calmly, “Aren’t you going to ask me what I did tonight?”

Rachel paused for a moment, and the corners of her mouth curled into a faint smile. “No matter what you did, it

must be the other party’s fault.”

David looked down at her. Her beautiful eyes were watery. They looked even more dazzling than the stars in the

night sky. It warmed his heart to know that she was always biased toward him for no reason whatsoever.

He gulped and tightened his hold around her waist instinctively, before bending down again to kiss her deeply.

The warm light from the street lamp shone on the couple, casting shadows of their overlapping figures on the

ground.

Eddie Brook, who was standing in front of the car, silently lowered his gaze.

He wanted to ask if watching couples getting all lovey-dovey in front of him was considered a work injury.

Ouch.

It was not until Rachel was dizzy and her tongue felt numb from their kiss that he finally let go of her.

She leaned against his chest weakly, her fingers h**ked around his tie. Her cold voice was tinged with a trace of

gentleness she was not aware of. “Can you tell me what happened tonight?”

Ever since they met, David had always been patient and restrained and paid attention to propriety. She knew that

David would never harm others if it weren’t for special circumstances.

David rubbed behind her sensitive ear without thinking. His low and husky voice slowly rang in her ear. “They were

just a group of clowns.”

“Was it Marina Jones, or… Hiss…” Rachel couldn’t help but gasp in mid-sentence. David bit down on her earlobe.

Rachel’s body suddenly stiffened, and her fingers that were hooked around his tie tightened.

He sucked on her earlobe, his deep voice tinged with lust. “I really want to take you away tonight.”

Unfortunately, tonight was not the time.

He stood up and distanced himself from her. A vicious look flashed across his eyes. He gently wiped the stains on

her earlobe with his fingertips and brushed his fingers against her cheek. “Go home and rest early.”

Rachel frowned slightly and looked at him with a serious expression. “David, I’m not as weak as you think. I don’t

have to hide under your protection. You can’ follow your own pace and I’ll try my best to catch up to you and prove

to everyone that I’m the only match for you!”

David stared at her without blinking. His eyes gradually softened. “I know, but I won’t leave you behind.”

He knew that Rachel wanted a love that was evenly matched, instead of simply hiding under his protection.

He was willing to fulfill Rachel’s wish, but he would never leave Rachel behind and advance alone.

“Don’t worry. No one in this world can hurt me, except you.” David’s fingertips caressed her cheek lovingly. He bent

down and planted a gentle kiss on her lips. “Be good and go home.”

His short words sounded both like an order and a loving reminder. She could never resist him.

Rachel turned and left, disappearing from David’s sight.

David stood on the spot and watched as the door of Johnson’s Mansion slowly closed. The gentleness in his eyes

faded and was gradually replaced by a murderous aura. “Send the people we caught tonight to the old men!”

Eddie’s heart sk*pped a beat as he hurriedly replied, “Yes, sir!”