"Rachael, is that really you? What on earth are you doing here? And why are you here with a man... Wait, isn't that Mr. Mitchell?"

Rachael lifted her head and froze when she saw Jayde Spencer, Xander's mother, standing nearby with Milly at her side.

Milly was hooked tightly around Jayde's arm, her face full of exaggerated surprise. The two of them stood so close they looked exactly like a devoted mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

Which, unfortunately, they truly were—at least on paper.

Jayde's expression hardened as she strode forward, her tone dripping with reproach. "So this is how you behave in public? Clinging to other men while Xander is out there working day and night? Do you have any shame at all? You've embarrassed our entire family!"

Milly let her gaze slowly rake over Rachael, a faintly mocking smile tugging at her lips as she deliberately raised her voice. "Rachael, I really don't want to misunderstand you. You're not still upset about yesterday and trying to get revenge on Xander, are you? He spent more than an hour video calling me last night. God, he really should've spent that time to comfort you. I'll totally remind him when we have lunch later. Please don't let emotions push you into doing something you'll regret."

Her tone sounded gentle, but every word was a carefully wrapped display of how close she was to Xander, even subtly hinting that Rachael was deliberately getting involved with Kellan just to get back at Xander.

Rachael instinctively glanced at Kellan beside her, only to find him standing there with his arms crossed, calmly watching the scene unfold, clearly having no intention of explaining anything on her behalf.

Of course, he and Xander were sworn rivals, and given such a perfect chance to provoke him, there was no reason for Kellan to step in and clarify matters.

Rachael could only let out a humorless laugh. She straightened her back, deliberately stepping away from the man, and then turned to Milly with a calm, knowing smile.

"What a dramatic imagination you have! I came out to buy Xander the tea he likes and happened to run into Mr. Mitchell. This is a public place, and nothing improper happened. And honestly, I'm surprise Xander still had the energy to chat with you last night after all. I, on the other hand, was exhausted and literally passed out the moment I lay down. His endurance really is admirable."

Her words were no less intimate or pointed than Milly's.

The moment Rachael finished speaking, Milly's expression stiffened, her smile barely holding together.

"You... you were together last night? Then why didn't I see you during the video call?"

Rachael tilted her head slightly. "Miss Clark, are you always this invested in other people's personal affairs?"

"You—" Milly nearly lost control, her temper flaring as she struggled not to explode on the spot.

Jayde clearly hadn't expected Rachael to respond so boldly either. After a brief pause, she sneered coldly. "Do you think Milly would ever behave so crudely? You're obsessed with meaningless nonsense. Milly, as the Clark family's precious daughter, is someone truly worthy of standing beside Xander. Unlike you—nothing more than a useless housewife. Married for all these years and still childless. Tell me, what value do you bring at all?"

Her eyes flicked suspiciously toward Kellan. "Meeting another guy behind Xander's back, no less! Have you finished this quarter's perfume formula yet? If production gets delayed, just wait and see how Xander deals with you."

Rachael responded without missing a beat, "Oh? If I'm so useless, shouldn't this responsibility go to Miss Clark instead, the one who's supposedly qualified to stand shoulder to shoulder with Xander? Why keep pushing it onto me? Or could it be that the much-praised daughter of the Clark family isn't actually as capable as everyone claims?"

Jayde and Milly both turned red with fury.

Rachael, however, had already spun around and walked off with her head held high, completely disregarding the three of them.

Jayde stared after her in disbelief, pointing at Rachael's retreating back as she fumed. "Milly, has that woman lost her mind? How dare she speak to me in that tone?"

Before Milly could even open her mouth to answer, a lazy male voice drifted over from behind them. "Well, that was quite the show."

Jayde and Milly turned around to see Kellan standing there with a teasing smirk, looking like someone who had just enjoyed a free piece of entertainment.

Their expressions immediately darkened even further.

Yet neither of them had time to react. Kellan had already turned away, striding off just as casually as Rachael had, leaving the two women behind, seething and stamping their feet in rage.

Milly gritted her teeth in anger. "Mrs. Spencer, I'm sure they're having an affair. We can't touch Kellan for now, but just wait. Once the Spencer Group secures its partnership with the Shaw family, we'll make sure Xander handles both of them properly!"

Hearing this, Jayde was reminded of how crucial the cooperation between the Spencer Group and the Shaw family was, and her expression gradually softened.

"That's right. Let them have their moment while it lasts," she said coldly. "Milly, you're the most reliable one. Once Rachael has no more value, I'll make Xander divorce her immediately. Without the Spencer family backing her, her adoptive parents would never forgive her."

Meanwhile, Rachael realized she had left in too much of a hurry and forgotten her purse. She turned back to retrieve it and, just as she rounded the corner, overheard every word they said.

She didn't look shaken in the slightest—only a faint, mocking smile curved her lips.

The Shaw family would never give them that opportunity.

She avoided them and returned to the booth, picked up her purse, and quietly slipped out through the back exit.

Unexpectedly, the moment she reached the parking lot, a hand suddenly grabbed her. She let out a startled breath as she was yanked into a firm embrace.

Rachael lifted her eyes and saw that it was Kellan once again, standing right in front of her.

Rachael's patience wore thin, and she was about to snap at Kellan, when his deep, soothing voice cut through her brewing anger, laced with both mischief and a disarming innocence. "Miss Brown, you just tore my jacket and never paid me back, and after all the trouble I went through to help you, you're just going to walk away?"

Rachael faltered, her eyes dropping to the ruined pocket of his suit jacket. The shirt beneath was unbuttoned at the top, hinting at his lean, athletic frame. Heat crept up her cheeks.

Of course she was to blame, and her own reaction left her flustered.

Xander had always warned her about Kellan's ruthless ways.

She'd painted him as nothing but trouble in her mind.

With the two of them standing that close for the first time, she couldn't really blame herself for being jumpy.

Trying to steady herself, she took a shaky deep breath and said, "Fine. I'm sorry. How much do I owe you for this jacket? I'll pay for it."

He watched her, noticing how the soft makeup set off her skin, glowing and fresh like springtime. When she blinked, her long lashes fluttered and drew his gaze.

He swallowed hard, gaze lingering. Then, slowly and deliberately, he slid the jacket from his shoulders and handed it over, his movements relaxed and oddly captivating.

Rachael found herself flustered, and instinctively stepped back, her eyes bright with embarrassment.

"I've already apologized, Mr. Mitchell."

He offered her the jacket, lips curling into a sly smile. "I'm not after your money. What I want is a proper replacement for this."

Rachael nearly rolled her eyes at him.

Her fingers brushed the collar—no tag, and the fabric and cut screamed custom.

Where was she supposed to find an exact match for something like this?

"So you won't replace it?" he asked, tilting his head. "Guess I'll just have to bring this up with Mr. Spencer, then."

He immediately reached for his phone, pretending to dial a number without hesitation.

Panic flared in Rachael, and she caught his wrist. "Don't do that!"

His eyes flickered down to her hand wrapped around his arm, surprise giving way to a glimmer of amusement.

She realized what she was doing and let go, snatching up the suit jacket instead. "Fine. I'll get you another just like it."

A slow smile spread across his face as he crossed his arms and leaned back, clearly entertained. "I'll hold off on calling Mr. Spencer—at least until you deliver. But just so you know, I'm not easy to please. Don't think you can get away with something off the rack."

Biting back a retort, Rachael kept her cool and turned to walk away.

This time, he didn't follow. Instead, he slipped behind the wheel of a sleek Maybach and drove off, leaving her standing alone.

As Rachael turned and walked towards her own car, she caught sight of Xander a short distance away. He was talking fast, body language anxious, trying to placate someone in front of him.

And before him, Milly stood with her arms folded, her glare cold and unyielding.

"So she said it right to my face, and you're still denying it?" Milly's voice rang out.

The scene clicked instantly in Rachael's mind, and a cold smirk tugged at her lips.

Anger simmered inside her, and she strode up without a pause.

"Honey, didn't I warn you last night that my perfume would stick around? But you didn't listen—now Miss Clark can smell it. Next time, please shower after we're done."

Whatever progress Xander had made with Milly vanished instantly at Rachael's words.

Rachael, unfazed by the stormy look on his face, turned to Milly and added in her sweetest tone, "Sorry, we'll be more careful next time. I know you're both busy with work, so I'll leave you to it. Take care."

Without another glance, she climbed into her car and sped away, leaving chaos in her wake.