After ending the call, Brady got up and went to Rachel’s room. He opened her drawer and found an invitation to the Evans Group’s event.
“Brady…” Rachel mumbled as she woke up. She had been feeling weak and tired lately, with her headaches getting worse each day.
Even though she followed the daily massages her doctor recommended, her condition wasn’t getting better.
Brady sat on the edge of the bed and helped Rachel sit up, leaning her against him while holding her cold hand. “You’re awake. How do you feel?”
With cloudy eyes, Rachel shook her head slightly. “It’s the same. Every morning, I wake up with a headache, and I’m scared to fall asleep again…”
“Why?” Brady asked softly.
“I had a terrible dream just now.” Rachel’s eyes filled with tears as she moved closer to him. “In the dream, I was paralyzed, aware but falling endlessly into a dark abyss, never waking up. It felt like… death.”
Brady’s eyes narrowed, and his expression tightened, though he didn’t show much.
“That was just a dream. Dreams don’t come true. You’ll live a long life,” Brady reassured her, gently stroking her hand. His eyes were lowered, hiding his true feelings.
Suddenly, Rachel clung to Brady more tightly and started sobbing. “But it felt so real. Brady, am I dying? I don’t want to leave you! Let’s go see the director at Baywell Hospital. He’s skilled and a friend of my father. He can help!”
Brady’s expression darkened as he looked down at Rachel, though she couldn’t see it.
“Don’t think like that,” he said softly, rubbing her shoulder to comfort her. “Dr. Hughes Benton is a top specialist I brought in from overseas. If he can’t help you, no one can. It’s just a common headache. I’ll make sure Dr. Benton visits you more often, and you’ll start feeling better soon. Let’s not worry Lucas. He’s getting old.”
“But…” Rachel looked up at him, her eyes lingering on his strong jawline. She opened her mouth to speak, but he gently cut her off.
“By the way, did you get the invitation to the Evans Group’s celebration?” Brady helped Rachel sit up more comfortably as he asked.
“Yes,” Rachel replied, avoiding eye contact as she talked.
“Lucas didn’t invite me, did he?” Brady asked, knowing Rachel well enough to understand her mood.
Rachel leaned back against the headboard, looking at him with a hint of frustration. “If you hadn’t taken the big project from Dave’s company, my father wouldn’t be so upset with you. He wouldn’t have kept you from the event and only let me go.”
Brady scoffed when he heard this. He stood up from the bed and looked down at her.
“In business, you get what you earn. The Evans Group is having problems abroad, and the Phoenix Alliance Group is poorly managed. Our partners chose to work with me because they were worried about the instability in the Evans Group. In the past, the Lawson Group would pass good projects to the Evans Group out of respect for your grandfather. But as CEO of the Lawson Group, I need to protect our family and company. Rachel, as my wife, you should appreciate the effort I put in. These projects might affect the Phoenix Alliance Group, but they don’t matter much to the entire Evans Group. Yet, Lucas refuses to invite me to the banquet and only sends you an invitation. He’s trying to embarrass me. If you go, the whole business world will disrespect me!”
Seeing Brady’s irritation, Rachel realized he was right.
The Lawson Group had always been in the shadow of the Evans Group, so Brady’s irritation was reasonable.
As the only daughter of the Evans family, Rachel should have brought more benefits to the Lawson Group after their marriage.
However, she hated business conflicts and kept herself out of it.
That’s why she hadn’t contributed much to the Lawson Group. But Brady had been patient all these years and never asked more from her.
This time, her father had gone too far. They were family and should face challenges together, but he had quietly taken away Brady’s right to attend the event, trying to bring him down.
As his wife, Rachel knew she should support him.
“Brady, don’t be upset.” She pulled at his sleeve and spoke softly. “I’ll talk to Dad again. If he won’t let you go, then I won’t go either!”
Brady narrowed his eyes and replied, “No one can change your father’s decision. You don’t need to beg him, as if I forced you to. I’ve already decided not to go this time.”
“Fine, I won’t go either!” Rachel bit her lip and leaned back. “This is ridiculous! Dave is his grandson, but aren’t we family too? We’ve put up with his unfair treatment for years, but this is just revenge. We can’t accept this!”
Brady smiled faintly at Rachel’s words. Sitting closer, he gently squeezed her shoulder. “Thank you, Rachel. I’m sorry you’ve had to go through this.”
Rachel leaned into him. “Since our wedding day, you’ve had my whole heart. No one loves you more. Promise me you’ll never leave or betray me.”
Brady’s brown eyes narrowed slightly. His voice was vague. “Of course… I won’t.”
His eyes drifted to the drawer where the invitation was placed.
****
Two days later, Brady passed the invitation to Blake, who then sent Bianca’s contact information. However, he had kept his leg injury a secret when dealing with Brady.
After receiving the invitation, Bianca asked Leonel for help to keep the situation hidden from their mother.
She promised to explain everything once the matter was settled, no matter the outcome.
In her heart, she promised to make the CEO of Phoenix Alliance Group return Cherish to her mother.
She felt relieved after that, and soon, the big day arrived.
This was the most important day in the Evans Group’s history.
Lucas had spent a huge amount, booking the country’s most luxurious cruise ship for a day of lavish indulgence.
The guest list included all the top executives of the Evans Group and the world’s leading business tycoons.
It was an unprecedented gathering of business leaders.
The goal was more than just attending. It was a chance to form profitable partnerships.
Deals made at events like this could be worth hundreds of billions.
Lucas also wanted to support Dave.
Although Dave had lost the previous project, this event could bring new opportunities.