CHAPTER 144: CHAPTER 82: I’LL BE RELYING ON YOU FROM NOW ON

This side of him is cunning and dangerous. If it weren’t for Mrs. Geoffrey’s inadvertent revelation, she might never have guessed.

This must be fate, she thought, her father watching over her from the heavens, clearing her mind just when she was about to fall headlong.

The dreams she had nurtured for so many years finally shattered. Fortunately, she had anticipated this outcome long ago. So, even though her heart was wracked with intense pain, she could bear it without letting tears fall.

The familiar ringtone of her phone pierced the silence of the moment...

Rebecca Quentin withdrew her distant gaze and took out her phone.

No surprise, the number on the screen was his.

If the sight of this number a couple of days ago brought her a subtle joy, now it brought a deep tremor of fear and anxiety, as though her heart was suspended, afraid to move.

Taking a deep breath, Rebecca Quentin pressed the answer button, "Hello."

Howard Geoffrey’s voice was deep and magnetic, "Babe."

"Mm."

"What are you doing?"

Rebecca Quentin turned her gaze back to the vastness outside the glass wall. Her beautiful face was expressionless, yet her tone was tender and coquettish, "What could I be doing? Your mother is napping, I’m lying here bored, thinking when you’ll call me, and then, here you are."

"Sorry, I’ve had back-to-back meetings today, and a lot of work, so it’s this late when..."

"It’s okay, I know you’re busy with work, I won’t let my thoughts run wild."

"Good girl..."

Afternoon, Geoffrey family living room.

Mrs. Geoffrey saw Rebecca Quentin coming downstairs from a distance and gestured for her to come over, "Becca, come here."

Rebecca Quentin walked over, sat down beside Mrs. Geoffrey, and smiled, "Auntie."

Mrs. Geoffrey held Rebecca Quentin’s hand warmly, "Do you remember when we first met, I said I wanted to give you a gift?"

"Auntie, you’re too kind."

Mrs. Geoffrey smiled kindly, "I wanted to give you this when we first met, but it felt abrupt. Now, it’s the right time. I can give it to you properly." Saying this, she handed Rebecca Quentin a square black velvet box.

Rebecca Quentin took it with curiosity, opened it, and her eyes widened instantly. It was a ring inlaid with a rare blue diamond, obviously valuable with exquisite craftsmanship, radiating a charming color.

"Take this ring!"

Rebecca Quentin immediately shook her head, "No, Auntie, it’s too precious."

Mrs. Geoffrey shook her head with a smile, "The ring’s monetary value is nothing to our family, but it holds extraordinary significance."

"Oh?"

Mrs. Geoffrey explained, "This was passed to me by my late husband’s mother. I wore it often when I was young, but after my marriage with my late husband ended, I took it off and never had the chance to return it to him... Recently, I took this ring out and found its luster undiminished. I remembered my husband’s mother mentioning that it should only be passed to the daughter-in-law, so I’m giving it to you."

This was actually an ancient ring?

Rebecca Quentin couldn’t believe it, as the ring truly shone brilliantly, exquisitely beautiful.

"Auntie, I..."

Mrs. Geoffrey pushed the ring into Rebecca Quentin’s hand, "Just take it... In a few days, it’s my birthday. Wear this ring and come with Howard to the party, where I’ll announce your engagement."

Rebecca Quentin was shocked, "Engagement?"

Mrs. Geoffrey nodded, "Of course, you’re with Howard. I can’t let you be with him without status."

Rebecca Quentin looked awkward, "But Howard and I never thought about marriage..."

Mrs. Geoffrey coaxed, "Silly child, don’t be afraid. If you marry into our family, I assure you Howard won’t bully you. Trust me, dear."

"No, Auntie, I..."

"Don’t say anything more, as long as you like my son, I’ll take care of everything for you."

Nighttime.

Leaning against the headboard, Rebecca Quentin stared blankly at the blue diamond ring on her left ring finger, feeling a slight ache in her nose.

If Mrs. Geoffrey knew her true identity, would she still treat her the same?

The answer was undoubtedly no.

When Mrs. Geoffrey mentioned her hatred towards her mother, the deep-seated disgust and disdain were devoid of her usual rationality and composure.

No matter what, Mrs. Geoffrey could never accept Vivian Lindsey’s daughter in her life, and moreover, she and Howard could never have a future.

Picking up her phone, Rebecca Quentin slowly dialed a number.

A clear female voice came through the phone, "I never expected you to call me."

Rebecca Quentin said indifferently, "How did you know it was me?"

Christine Quinn sneered, "A number that appears frequently in Howard’s phone, how could I not remember? Tell me, what do you want?"

Rebecca Quentin took a deep breath and said, "I need your help with something."

"I never imagined there’s something I can help with, let alone when you’re with Howard — isn’t there anything he can’t do for you?" Christine Quinn said skeptically.

"I can’t explain everything over the phone. We can meet to discuss it... but I urgently need your help now."

"Tell me."

"I want to leave Howard."

Christine Quinn was stunned, "Didn’t you just get together with Howard? Why would you decide such a thing?"

"I said, I need to meet you to explain. Will you help me?" Rebecca pleaded.

"You’re putting me in a tough spot."

"Didn’t you tell me to know when to retreat? Now I’m finding my escape route, and you’re the only one who can help."

"Tell me, what do you want me to do?"

"Help me create a false identity; I want to disappear from this world."

Christine Quinn was quite surprised, "You want Howard never to find you?"

"Yes."

"Although I don’t know your reason for doing this, I’ll help you."

"Thank you."

"Wait for my call."

"Okay."

Rebecca Quentin hadn’t fallen asleep to begin with, so when the door handle gently turned in the middle of the night, she immediately opened her eyes.