My Mute Bride - Season 1 Episode 84

The Business He Negotiated

Rachel stayed in the hospital for just three days, since she didn’t suffer any injuries aside from a minor concussion. On the day of her discharge, it was Frankie who came to deal with the paperwork, and she reflexively looked behind him.

“President Burton isn’t here,” Frankie answered. “He’s been busy over the last couple of days. In some business talk with his partner. That’s why he wanted me to take you home first.”

Rachel nodded, though she felt slightly crestfallen.

In the car, Rachel took the back seat, while Frankie took the passenger seat. “Madam, the guys from the repair shop sent your bag back. You left it in your car. It’s in the back seat. Why don’t you check and see if anything’s missing?”

Looking at the canvas bag beside her, Rachel rummaged through it for a moment, and she frowned. Weird…

“What’s wrong, madam?” Frankie asked.

Rachel snapped out of it and shook her head. It’s not anything valuable anyway, so I guess it’s fine, she thought.

Right after she came back to the Burtons’ villa, a servant came to help her with her stuff.

They kept asking her if she needed anything, and even Mrs. Duncan—who never smiled at her—was beaming. She even asked what Rachel wanted for dinner.

Anything’s fine. You don’t have to go that far.

“No can do. Young Master Justin said the whole family is having dinner together tonight. He’s going to throw you a little welcome party.”

Rachel was touched. Nobody had been so kind to her ever since she was little. Even though Justin wasn’t nice to her, at least he had taken care of her well lately. He even saved her life a few days earlier. But that made her hesitate about the plan.

Rachel came downstairs to help even before it was dark, starting with Justin’s favorite tea.

That of course irked Sue, and she clicked her tongue. “That b*tch. She’s nothing more than a lowly servant, but she’s acting like she owns the place.”

Mrs. Duncan sighed. “Don’t let anyone hear you. Everyone’s saying that Young Master Justin is paying a lot of attention to her now, and Master Arthur wanted her to live in the summer villa. She’s already established her spot here.”

Sue’s face was red with anger, but before she could say anything else, they heard the sound of a car coming in.

Rachel quickly turned around, then the servant greeted, “Young Master Justin, welcome home. Hm? Miss Hudson?”

Amber and Justin came in side by side, chatting happily. When Rachel saw this, her hand trembled, and the tea fell.

“Madam! Are you alright? Let’s clear this up.”

Sue beamed the moment she saw Amber. “Justin, you should have told me you’re bringing Amber back. I would have asked them to make her favorite food.”

Amber held Sue’s arm affectionately. “Oh, you know me, Mrs. Parham. I’m not a picky eater, so I’m fine with anything. Besides, I’m on a diet, so I can’t eat that much.”

“You are still slim though. It’s fine.”

After Justin took his suit off, he noticed Rachel coming out from the kitchen.

Do you want some tea?

“No. Let’s have dinner.”

Rachel looked at Amber. Why’d the two of you come home together?

“Do I need to report everything to you?”

Rachel froze up.

Amber answered, “We went for a golf session and had lunch. Don’t you know that, Rachel?”

Golf? But Frankie told me he’s busy meeting business clients. Is this his business? Playing golf with Amber?

“Can you stop with the questions? He’s a man. He doesn’t have to report every little detail to you.” Sue rolled her eyes. “Besides, Amber’s your sister. Now run along and prepare for dinner.”

“Justin, I started on a new book two days ago, but some parts confused me. Can you help me with it?” Amber took Justin to the living room, leaving Rachel alone.

Watching their leaving figures, Rachel looked forlorn.

After Justin had taken his seat, Rachel was about to sit beside him, but Sue stopped her. “Hold it. Go check on the soup and take it here.”

Rachel obliged, but when she came back, Amber had taken her spot.

“Here, Justin.” Amber fed Justin a fishball right in front of Rachel, and he ate it without any hesitation. “How is it?”

“Not bad.”

“Told you so. You’ve been exhausting yourself lately. Have some more.”

Rachel wanted to join the conversation as well, but there was no opening, so she left alone after she was done with her soup. Everyone went on happily, as if nobody cared that she left.

After dinner was over, Justin asked the driver to send Amber home.

Rachel had been waiting in the bedroom after she showered. The moment the door was opened, she sat up.

Is she on her way home?

“Yes,” Justin answered curtly. He opened the cabinet, took his pajamas, and went outside.

Where are you going?

“The study.”

Aren’t you going to sleep here?

Justin gazed at her. “Do you want me to sleep here?”

Rachel froze up. That’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying that this is your room, so… All at once, she blushed, at a loss for words.

“Just go to sleep, and you don’t have to do anything around here. That’s the servant’s job. Remember, you’re my wife.” With a click, he closed the door behind him, leaving nothing but silence for her. His footsteps gradually faded into the distance.

Rachel remained on the bed, stunned. She wondered what went wrong, and what caused him to give her the cold shoulder again.

It was already late at night, but Justin was still going through his emails. “A master’s degree from California State University, a famous lawyer, and a top partner at a law firm.” He was looking through the résumé of an elite. The photo on that résumé showed a handsome, summery young man. In contrast, Justin was looking cold. Eventually, he closed his laptop.

It was a Friday afternoon. Rachel was packing her things up after work when she received a call from Julian. “I’m waiting for you outside the library. Come right out after you’re done with work.”

Rachel saddled her bag and came out. She saw Julian’s car right away, and he was waving at her from inside. Why’d you come?

“Get in. We’ll talk then.” A short while later, they rejoined the traffic. Since it was peak hour, it was a bit congested.

What’s the hurry?

“Grandma saw the news.”

Rachel was shocked, then she looked at Julian curiously. The case of her crashing into the container because of her car’s malfunctioning brakes shook the city. Even though Justin managed to keep it down, lots of people still found out about it. She thought her grandmother wouldn’t know about it, since she usually didn’t care about current affairs.

When did she find out?

“This morning, I guess. She saw the newspaper.” Julian frowned. After a while of hesitation, he continued, “It’s in the entertainment section. Didn’t you see it?”

Rachel’s heart skipped a beat.