The Husband I Loved for Eight Years Never Loved Me

Chapter 243: Ill-bred Thing

Chapter 243: A Poorly Raised Brat

Ian Quinn said, "From the looks of it, Tristan Sterling really isn’t going to leave Rachel alone. He’s unbelievably arrogant." Julian Jennings replied, "He certainly is. He probably thinks that since Rachel used to like him, she can fall for him all over again." Ian Quinn laughed, "He does have what it takes to think that way."

Around three in the afternoon.

Marcus Sheldon found out that another company had indeed contacted Norvane, but it wasn’t yet clear who.

Rachel Royce wasn’t ready to give up on the acquisition deal.

Everyone had been gearing up for a handsome bonus upon completing the project before the end of the year. But when the other party suddenly terminated the partnership, the bonus that had been within their grasp vanished into thin air, and everyone’s spirits instantly plummeted.

Rachel Royce called Norvane’s chairman.

He agreed to meet and discuss it again tomorrow.

Although his attitude today had been firm, it wasn’t over yet. Rachel wanted to make one last push.

That evening, Rachel Royce and Joanna Sutton went to a dinner meeting.

They didn’t expect to run into Claire Ainsworth and people from Norvane at the restaurant.

When Claire Ainsworth saw them, she said a word to the person next to her and led the people from Norvane over.

She walked smugly up to Rachel Royce and Joanna Sutton. "I thought you were so capable, Evelynn. Turns out you’re nothing special after all. You can forget about the Norvane acquisition deal."

The moment they saw Claire Ainsworth with the people from Norvane, Rachel and Joanna understood.

The one thing they hadn’t anticipated at all was Claire’s involvement.

Joanna Sutton sneered. "So even someone with the brain of a pig can talk business now. Looks like the Ainsworth Family isn’t far from going bankrupt."

Claire Ainsworth glared at Joanna Sutton, her fists clenching. "Joanna, all you can do is seethe with impotent rage," she sneered. "I have the entire Ainsworth Family, my brother, and Tristan behind me. Of course I don’t need to work myself to the bone like you two. But that doesn’t mean I’m inferior to you. If I set my mind to something, there’s nothing I can’t accomplish. You two aren’t even worthy of being compared to me."

As she spoke,

her gaze landed on Rachel, full of defiance.

Joanna Sutton’s eyes turned cold.

Before she could open her mouth—

SLAP!

Rachel raised her hand and slapped Claire Ainsworth across the face.

The crisp sound of the slap echoed through the restaurant.

Joanna Sutton was startled.

"There’s no point wasting breath on a boy-crazy idiot like her," Rachel said. "A poorly raised brat. It’s much more effective to let my hands do the talking."

"You... Ah!" The moment Claire Ainsworth started to speak,

Joanna Sutton slapped her again.

The force of the slap sent Claire Ainsworth stumbling to the ground.

The commotion drew the attention of everyone nearby, and they all turned to look.

Just then,

a figure entered through the doorway.

The moment Alexander Sullivan walked in, he saw Claire Ainsworth on the ground. He strode forward.

Rachel Royce and Joanna Sutton noticed the man walking towards them, but they simply stood their ground, watching him approach.

"Claire." At the sound of his voice, Claire Ainsworth looked up, her eyes immediately welling with tears as she choked out, "Brother." Alexander Sullivan walked over to Claire Ainsworth and bent down to help her up.

Claire Ainsworth leaned against Alexander Sullivan and let out a pitiful sob.

Alexander Sullivan looked at Joanna Sutton. From outside, he had just seen Joanna slap Claire.

Joanna met his gaze without flinching. "What do you intend to do, President Sullivan?"

Alexander said, "Give me a reason for hitting her."

"Does one need a reason to hit her?" Rachel retorted with a cold, mocking laugh. "The Ainsworth Family didn’t raise her right, and neither did you, President Sullivan. She runs around barking like a stray dog. That being the case, she deserved every bit of what she got."

Alexander’s gaze fixed on Rachel. "Miss Evelynn, whatever Claire said to offend you, you could have argued back. There was no need to resort to violence in public."

Rachel replied, "Apologies, but I consider every extra word spoken to her a waste of my life. I meant it when I said I’d hit her every time I see her. You’d best advise her to steer clear of me from now on, President Sullivan. Of course, if you’re unhappy about it, feel free to come at me directly. I’m curious to see just how many projects you can help her snatch."

With that, Rachel had no desire to say another word to him.

"Joanna, let’s go!" Rachel turned and strode away.

Joanna Sutton hurried to catch up.

Alexander Sullivan stood where he was, watching the two of them leave.

"Brother," Claire Ainsworth called out in a choked, pitiful voice.

"You have to stand up for me."

Alexander withdrew his gaze, looked down at Claire Ainsworth, and said in a softer voice, "Claire, go get cleaned up first."

Rachel Royce and Joanna Sutton took the elevator upstairs.

"It looks like Alexander Sullivan is helping her behind the scenes. He’s just trying to make Claire Ainsworth look good," Joanna fumed.

An empty-headed vase like Claire Ainsworth didn’t have a single capable bone in her body.

She really should have slapped her harder.

Rachel hadn’t expected Alexander to pull a stunt like this either. ’So he’s secretly helping Claire get revenge on me. What a good brother,’ she thought sarcastically.

「Inside another private room.」

Alexander Sullivan had been surprised that Claire Ainsworth’s proposal had managed to win the Norvane acquisition deal, so he had come to this dinner meeting to get a clearer picture of the situation.

Mr. Bell from Norvane heaped praise on Claire Ainsworth. "As expected of President Sullivan’s sister! Miss Ainsworth is so capable at such a young age. She’ll surely be a great asset to you in the future, President Sullivan. The sky’s the limit for her, hahaha."

Claire Ainsworth replied, "Director Bell, you flatter me. I still have much to learn. I’m just honored that you’re satisfied with the proposal. Thank you for your trust, Mr. Bell. I’d like to propose a toast to you."

Claire Ainsworth raised her glass and clinked it with Mr. Bell’s.

Alexander Sullivan looked at Claire’s proposal on the tablet. It didn’t seem to have any major issues.

"Brother, do you see any areas that need revision?" Claire Ainsworth asked.

After skimming through it, Alexander placed the tablet on the table. "Since Mr. Bell is satisfied, it means your proposal is fine, Claire."

Claire Ainsworth smiled happily.

After their dinner meeting ended, Rachel and Joanna went downstairs to leave. They saw Norvane’s Mr. Bell saying goodbye to Alexander Sullivan. Judging by Mr. Bell’s beaming expression, their discussion had clearly gone very well.

Joanna said, "Looks like our chances in tomorrow’s negotiation are slim."

This was no longer about the proposal; the other party simply favored the backing on Claire Ainsworth’s side.

Claire Ainsworth noticed them, gave them a defiant look, then got into the car with Alexander Sullivan and left.

Rachel Royce and Joanna Sutton left the restaurant.

On the way, Rachel received a call from Julian Jennings.

"Did someone from Norvane come over to cancel the partnership today?" Rachel hadn’t told him about this.

Rachel figured he must have heard about it from someone else at the company.

"We’re scheduled to talk again tomorrow." ’Even though I already know what the outcome will be, it’s not over until it’s over. I have to try, no matter how slim the chances are.’

"I see. Have they found a better partner?"

Rachel told him the truth. "Alexander Sullivan interfered. He’s probably sticking up for Claire Ainsworth," she said, her tone tinged with sarcasm.