Chapter 22: Ambush In The Underground Parking Lot
Trapped By Tainted Love
âI hate threatening you, but for three generations my family has worked really hard to make the Bennet Group what it is today.I canât stand aside and watch it crumble.I have to do something.Please, Shelia.Help me save my familyâs legacy."
The light disappeared before Shelia could utter a single word.
A loud knock on the door startled her awake and she blinked in confusion.
"Miss Bennet, dinner is ready,"
Abbyâs voice came from the other side of the door.
Rachel sat up and leaned against the headboard.She frowned and called back, "Thank you, Abby.Iâll be down in a few minutes."
She freshened up real quick and was at the dining room in less than five minutes.
When dinner was served, she just sat there pushing her food around her plate absentâmindedly.
Abby and Andy were looking at each other in bewilderment, wondering what was wrong with Rachel.
Andy couldnât stand it any longer.
He put down his fork and cleared his throat.
"Miss Bennet."
Rachel came back to her senses frowning slightly.
Still looking a little off, she asked, "Whatâs the matter?"
"Miss Bennet, you seem a little...preoccupied.You havenât even touched your food."
Abby was really concerned about Rachelâs behavior too.
"Miss, are you worried about the Bennet Group? Are you afraid of the debt youâll be in if the company bankrupts?"
Rachel shook her head.
"No, itâs not that.I was just thinking."
"If you need anything, I am here for you.If thereâs anything I can help with or if you just need someone to talk to..."
Andy trailed off, not knowing what else to say.
"I was just thinking that I need to see Victor,"
Rachel murmured putting down her fork and leaned back on her chair.
Andy and Abby were both stunned.
"Miss Bennet, you...Do you think thatâs a good idea right now? Mr.Sullivan doesnât change his mind easily.He just turned you down today.If you go looking for him again, Iâm afraid..."
Earlier that day, Andy had agreed that talking to Victor was the best option Rachel had.
A second time in the same day though? That was madness! They already knew what Victorâs answer would be.
But most importantly, Andy was worried about Victorâs reaction.
As history had taught them, the man would happily kill Rachel both physically and emotionally.
And refusing to help her again would really take its toll on her.
"Iâll just try again.Iâve been a pain in his ass for years, so what do I have to lose? Annoying him once more canât be that bad," Rachel said, shrugging.
Andy was really confused by Rachelâs sudden change of attitude.She had been deaf to his counsel this morning.What changed after a few hours of sleep?
"Miss Bennet, are you sure about this?" Abby asked hesitantly.
Rachel nodded.
The original Rachelâs soul was still trapped in this body with her.
She couldnât ignore her anymore.
Ambush In The Underground Parking Lot Rachel looked confident and determined.
She looked around the table and said, "I will save the Bennet Group at all cost."
With her mind made up, Rachel didnât want to waste any time.
The next day, she got up early and paid attention to the smallest detail of her appearance.
She couldnât just walk into the Sullivan Groupâs offices with her everyday clothes.She had to look her best; confident, serious unrelenting.
Abby was cleaning the banister when she heard heels clicking on the marble floor.She raised her head and looked at Rachel, her mouth dropping open in surprise.
"Miss Bennet?"
Abby was staring at Rachel in amazement.The truth was that Rachel had dressed simply enough.She had let her long hair loose, falling down to her slender waist.Her makeup was light but glowy, showing off her finely carved features to perfection.She was wearing a white strapless dress that reached her ankles.
As she moved, the airy fabric flowed like water around her.
The simplicity of the dress was the perfect match with temperament.
She was exuding the elegance of a refined lady, the dignity and calmness that anyone could recognize and respect immediately.
"What is it, Abby? Do I have lipstick on my teeth?"
Rachel asked as she walked up to Abby, trying to find a mirror in her purse to check her reflection.
Abby shook her head vigorously.
"No, no.There is nothing wrong with you.Itâs just that you look so beautiful today.You look so classy and elegant and Iâve never seen you looking so dignified before.You look like a brandânew person..."
Abby closed her mouth hurriedly, afraid that she had said something wrong.
"A brandânew me,"
Rachel murmured and then flashed a smile to her maid.
lummu Abby smiled back.
"Exactly...And if I may say, this change suits you very much." Rachelâs smile widened.
"I am glad to hear that because I am thinking of sticking to this style from now on.I am glad you approve."
"Miss Bennet, you look truly stunning.You used to wear really heavy makeup, but it only covered up your beauty.I think you look much better like this,"
Abby added, her eyes never leaving Rachelâs face.
The girl was right.
The old Rachel did whatever Alice asked her to do, as if she didnât have an opinion of her own.
With her heavy, bold makeâup and the revealing clothes, she looked more like a prostitute than an heiress.
"Are you heading out for business, Miss?" Rachel nodded.
"Iâm off to meet Victor."
A short taxi ride later, she was standing in front of the headquarters of the Sullivan Group.
But she didnât go to the front gate.
Instead she went straight to the entrance of the buildingâs underground parking lot.
She knew that the third floor of the parking lot was reserved for Victor alone, so she got in the elevator and pressed the button numbered âB3â.
The button flashed red and a message popped up on the screen "Fingerprint Verification Required".
She noticed a little scanner right next to the buttons and pressed her index finger of her right hand on it.
The message "Access Approved" flashed on the screen.
The third floor of the parking lot was essentially a restricted area.
No one else could have gotten inside without Victorâs permission, but for Rachel, breaking in was a piece of cake.
Ambush In The Underground Parking Lot Not long after sheâwell, the old Rachelâ married Victor, his grandma had taken Rachel to the Sullivan Group to meet the board.
The old lady wanted to introduce Rachel to them as the newest member of the Sullivan family.
That was also the day that her fingerprints were added in every device locking any restricted area of the building.
The elevator started its descent.
Rachelâs frown was deepening with each floor.
If she had tried the front gate like the day before, she would have been sent away immediately.
She would never even have the chance to see Victor.
But the day before she hadnât really wanted to see Victor, so she didnât really mind being asked to leave.
Today, though, she really wanted to see the man, so she had to find another way to make sure she got to see him.
So she found a more creative, foolproof way in...
She would just wait for him in his parking spot.
Fortunately, the old Rachel was obsessed with Victor and she remembered his habits and every little detail of his daily routine.
That was why she knew for sure that Victor would be having a nap in his car at this exact time, at this very spot.
Victor liked quiet, empty places and the ceiling of the parking lot was completely soundproof, creating an impenetrable wall of silence between it and the outside world.
This place was heaven on earth for Victor.
A loud âpingâ informed Rachel that she had reached her destination.
As the elevator doors slid open, she took a good look at the area.
Victorâs love for expensive cars was well known and he owned a whole lot of them.
Around twenty of them were scattered all around the huge parking space.
How on earth could she know which car he was in right now? as If she started looking inside each car, she would waste valuable time and risk missing him altogether.
Rachel huffed and put her hands on her waist indignantly, but all of a sudden, she heard a car door open.
The sound was faint, but it was enough for her to pinpoint the direction it came from.