My Darling, My Dearest

Chapter 470 The Director's Eviction

A colleague, who was a bit close to Rachel, suddenly came up to her and hugged her tight. This sudden act of kindness stunned her. She was lost for words.

Her colleague drew a big smile and said, "Well done, Rachel! If that was me in your shoes, I'm afraid I would have just taken the blame for her."

Rachel replied with a faint smile, "You're giving me too much credit. I owe it much to Mr. Zhou. He saw through all the deception and proved that I was innocent."

Rachel left her colleague and went back to her office. She slumped in her chair. Her head felt heavy from all that had happened so she tried to rub her temples. The massage seemed to work and she grew drowsy. When she was about to fall asleep, she heard the door to her office open. She sat up with a jolt. It was James. He slowly walked inside the room and made his way to the sofa. She noted how sagely he looked while walking with his hands behind his back. "Were you a little scared just now?" he muttered as he sat on the sofa, smiling.

Rachel beamed back, "Uncle James, do I really look like a coward to you?"

"No, of course not, my dear." James shook his head in emphasis. He realized how silly that question was, so he changed the topic and said, "I believe you're the only one in this hospital who could have handled it."

"It was not my fault, nor was it my

responsibility. I didn't have to bear the burden,"

Rachel responded playfully while fiddling with the tea cup on the table.

James didn't think more about Rachel's answer. Unbeknownst to him, her thoughts had drifted to Jack. She thought how this was a bad time to think about that man.

After all, their relationship still needed some mending to do. It was up to Jack to choose which woman he wanted to be with. That decision was his own business. She thought to herself that worrying about these things was a big waste of time.

Having noticed that Rachel became unresponsive, James stood up and said with a weary smile, "I think it's getting late. Why don't you grab your things and go back home?"

"Okay."

Earlier that day, the committee ruled in favor of Rachel's innocence and her reputation was restored. The director acknowledged her mistake and this complicated matter was finally settled.

As expected, the director was stripped of her post and was fired from the hospital. On her way out, Rachel passed by the director's office. She caught a glimpse of her sitting at the desk. Her hands were stroking the brass nameplate on the table, as if unwilling to leave.

Quite uncomfortable at the sight, Rachel continued her walk. Suddenly, someone grabbed her by the neck! Completely caught off-guard, Rachel spun around and could only stare at her assailant in horror. Her mouth dropped when she realized that it was the director!

The events happened so fast. The director's hands clutched her neck tighter. Rachel grew afraid at the contorted face of her assailant and at those murderous eyes. Profanities were hurled towards her and her face was now covered in spit.

Having realized the danger she was in, Rachel tried to loosen her attacker's grip but she was just not strong enough. It was getting more difficult to breath. Her eyes grew heavier and heavier. She felt her consciousness fading away.

Meanwhile, several hospital staff witnessed the scene but all were frozen in place. They could ot believe nor understand what was happening before their eyes. Things were quickly getting out ofBelongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

hand.

"Help! Quick! Rachel is going to die!" A scream shattered the silence. Apparently someone realized how purple Rachel's face had become.

And just like that, they scrambled towards the two women. Some people tackled the director and pinned her to the floor. On the other hand, Rachel, already weakened by the pain and lack of air, collapsed on the floor. Fortunately, someone managed to cushion her fall. A small crowd gathered around the poor woman as the director was being taken away.

One of her colleagues cradled her head, gently tapped her on the cheek, and asked, "Are you okay, Rachel? Stay with us. Don't lose consciousness."

Rachel looked at her workmate with unsteady eyes. She opened her mouth. She wanted to assure her that she was still fine but no words came out of her lips. Everything around her was getting blurry. People's faces melded with each other and worried voices turned gibberish. She fainted.

The next thing she knew, she was already lying in bed. A white blanket covered her lower torso. She wondered how long she was passed out. A figure by the foot of the bed caught her attention. She squinted and saw the anxious face of Lea.

Having realized that Rachel was now awake, Lea moved to the side of the bed. She looked at her friend and asked worriedly, "Rachel, are you alright? How are you feeling? Do you feel uncomfortable? Do you want me to call in the doctor, now?"

"No, thanks." Rachel struggled to utter these two words. She felt parched. She glanced around, saw the tea cup on the bedside table, and said, "I'm thirsty."

Lea walked to the bedside table, placed a straw in the cup and filled the cup with cold water. Rachel was so thirsty that she finished the cup in just one sip. After that, she felt relief in her throat and her

voice gradually returned to normal.

Rachel looked at Lea and asked, "What happened?"

She had no recollection of why she was in bed.

Having observed that her friend had finished drinking, Lea took the teacup and placed it on the bedside table with a thud. "I'm angry about all this! Who the hell does your ex-director think she is? First, she made some horrible things and made you the scapegoat. Now that the truth is out, she had the gall to strangle you!"

Anger was plastered all over Lea's face.

Rachel felt the contempt in her friend's voice. She started to process everything she had heard. Little by little, vague memories of what had transpired that day came back to her.

She closed her eyes. She remembered the director's murderous face and how her hands gripped her neck. She remembered being suffocated to death.

Quite emotional at this point, Rachel grabbed Lea by the cuff. She pointed her chin to the bed and indicated her friend to sit next to her. "Where is she now?" she asked.

"She was sent to the police station. That scumbag almost got you killed! Of course we want her to rot behind bars." Lea noticed that the blanket was about to fall off the bed. She took it and neatly folded it back.

Rachel pursed her lips and with a deep breath muttered, "Well, it's good to hand her what she deserves so she won't forget all the wrong she has done."

Back then, Rachel was indifferent towards the director. She had always considered her as a colleague who worked in the same department. She didn't mind her attitude that much. For Rachel,

it was more important to perform the tasks assigned to her by the director as best as she could.

However, this time, she had gone too far!

Rachel was not the type to let others bully her around. Sure, she looked calm and collected most of the time, but she knew when to fight back in order to protect herself.

After having talked for quite some time, Lea finally quieted down. She remained silent for a few minutes and finally addressed her friend, "I don't see Jack anywhere. Where is he? Why can't I get in touch with him?"

"He didn't pick up when you called him?" Rachel asked. She lowered her gaze and pretended to look at her fingers.

Lea replied, "I didn't call him, Henry did. He told me Jack was not answering his calls."

"I see," Rachel replied in a somber tone.

Lea got up again and went to the bedside table. She picked an apple and started peeling off the skin with a knife. At first, she didn't notice the gradual change in Rachel's behavior, but as soon as she realized it, she suddenly raised her head and blurted out, "By the way, what did you mean when you said that? Have you already known that Jack wouldn't answer his phone?"

Rachel made a deep sigh and thought, 'Lea, can you please let this one pass?'

Her hope that her friend remained oblivious was soon extinguished. Lea put down the half-peeled apple and went to her side. She raised her fine and well-trimmed eyebrows at Rachel and asked, "Tell me the truth, now. What happened? The two of you already made up, right?"

"I have no idea." Rachel rubbed her temples. "I tried calling him, but he didn't answer my calls. He didn't go home. I also have no idea where he is."

Lea leaned in closer and was about to ask more when she noticed the distraught on her friend's face. Rachel pulled the blanket over her and muttered in a low voice, "I'm a little tired now, Lea. I want to get some sleep. I really appreciate your visit but I'm fine now. I need some time alone."

Rachel couldn't sleep well that night. When she woke up, she still felt tired. She always felt that a pair of hands was somewhere around her neck. This time, the pair of hands was gentle. However, just the thought of hands around her neck rattled her a great deal. She was afraid that these hands would turn out to be the drector's and would start to strangle her again.

Then, she tried rising up but she couldn't move. She knew she was not dreaming anymore. After several attempts, it dawned to her that she might be under sleep paralysis. She already wanted to wake up but her eyelids seemed to be shut tight. It was as if her eyelids are glued together by an unknown force.

Jack stood by her bedside. He was obviously looking, with a frown, at the purple bruises around her neck. His eyes were full of pity and guilt.

He hadn't taken good care of her and what happened to Rachel had been his fault entirely.

Just then, Julie stepped into the room with a lunch box in hand. She gently placed it on the table and said in a low voice, "Mr. Fu, I believe you haven't eaten anything for today. Please, have some of this first."

Jack responded hoarsely, "I don't have any appetite right now. Just leave it there." "Well, if that's the case, why don't you have some of this soup, then? This will warm your belly up." Julie poured some soup in to a bowl and handed it over to Jack. It was warm in his hands and the aroma of boiled chicken and chives wafted into his nose. Julie remarked, "The doctor told me that Miss Shen is going to be fine. You don't have to worry so much, Mr. Fu."

"Okay. I understand." Jack sighed. Despite the nice smell, he put the bowl of soup aside. He reached out and grabbed Rachel's left hand. He marveled at how delicate and small her hand was. He squeezed it, brought it to his lips, and planted a gentle kiss. A moment after, he gave Julie a very serious look. The intensity of that stare alarmed her a little bit. She slowly opened her mouth and asked, "Mr. Fu, is there anything wrong with Miss Shen? Is she...?"

Author's note

Goose BBSS

Translator: Scarlett5555