Half a month later, with the doctor’s approval, Rachel was discharged and returned to the Sterling residence.
Standing in front of the unfamiliar yet grand estate, a strange sense of panic rose in her chest.
Using her weak health as an excuse, she shut herself inside her bedroom the moment she got home.
She slowly surveyed the room.
Then she let out a mocking laugh.
The former Rachel really had a girly heart.
The entire room was decorated in shades of pink. Plush toys covered the bed, piled high.
The sugary sweetness of it all made her skin crawl.
In her current state, those soft pink hues only gave her goosebumps.
The very next day, Rachel had all the pink décor removed from her room.
The curtains were replaced with a warm orange shade. The bedsheets and duvet were switched to sky blue. As for the pile of stuffed animals—big and small—she had them all moved into the storage room.
It was that same day that she discovered Rachel’s old diaries.
She hesitated for a long time before taking a deep breath and slowly opening one.
If she was going to live on in Rachel’s place, she needed to understand her—at least enough to avoid raising suspicion.
She locked herself in her room the entire afternoon, flipping through every diary Rachel had ever written.
Who would’ve thought this pampered young miss had kept journals for years?
It saved her a lot of trouble.
The pages recorded everything—Rachel’s daily life, her childhood, and most importantly…
Her long-standing love for Owen.
As for getting together with Felix?
That had only ever been for one purpose—
To obtain Katrina’s heart.
When she read those words, Katrina couldn’t stop the mocking laugh that escaped her lips. Tears welled up in her eyes.
If Felix ever found out he’d been used like that by Rachel… would he lose his mind?
She hadn’t expected her own heart to be so valuable.
Valuable enough for Owen and Rachel to work together so seamlessly—one seducing the man, the other getting close to her.
Such perfect coordination.
Her conviction only deepened.
Her death… Owen had a hand in it.
At that thought, her clear eyes burned with violent hatred.
Felix.
Owen.
She would make both of them pay.
No matter what.
...
At dinner that evening, Rachel looked at Mr. Sterling seated at the head of the table. She opened her mouth several times before finally forcing the words out.
“…Dad, I… want to start working at the company.”
She had grown up in an orphanage. She didn’t even know who her biological parents were.
Though she used to whisper ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad’ into the darkness on lonely nights, saying those words now still felt unfamiliar.
The moment she finished speaking, everyone at the table turned to stare at her in shock.
“Rachel, why the sudden interest in working at the company?” Mrs. Sterling asked, confused.
It wasn’t like they hadn’t suggested it before.
Every time, Rachel had rejected the idea with the strangest excuses imaginable.
Rachel lowered her head and bit her lip lightly.
“I… I just feel like I’ve been wasting my days doing nothing. I know I was immature before, too willful. Mom, back then I was worried my body couldn’t handle the workload. But now I’m healthy. I’ll be fine.”
She based her explanation on what she’d read in the diaries.
Mrs. Sterling beamed instantly. Even Mr. Sterling looked delighted.
“It makes us very happy to hear you say that.” He turned to Owen. “Owen, how about letting Rachel learn by your side?”
It would also give the two young people a chance to deepen their bond.
Owen wasn’t blind to Mr. Sterling’s intentions.
His gaze fixed steadily on Rachel, as if trying to see straight through her.
Her sudden decision to work at the company was definitely not that simple.
He knew her heart had never been in the business.
“…Alright,” he finally said after a long pause.
Mr. Sterling nodded in satisfaction.
Rachel’s eyes widened. “Actually… that’s not necessary.”
The moment she spoke, everyone looked at her again.
She forced a smile.
“What I mean is, any position is fine. My brother is already busy enough. He doesn’t need the extra trouble of guiding me.”
Unexpectedly, Owen replied calmly, “I don’t mind. Let’s settle it that way.”
No matter what Rachel was planning, keeping her under his watch was the safest option.
He had no objections at all.
“But—”
“Alright, it’s decided,” Mr. Sterling interrupted cheerfully. “As long as you’re willing to learn seriously, you won’t cause Owen any trouble.”
Rachel lowered her head, saying nothing more.
Inside, she cursed Owen a thousand times.
What exactly was he plotting?
Felix’s earlier words suddenly flashed through her mind. Gritting her teeth, she spoke again.
“Dad, do you remember Felix from the finance department? I heard he’s quite capable. Isn’t the company recruiting a finance manager right now? He—”
“I object.”
Before she could finish, Owen rejected the idea without hesitation.
Rachel shot him a furious glare and sneered.
“Object? Owen, even if you’re currently managing the company, it’s still called Sterling Corporation. Doesn’t Dad have the right to make that decision? Or are you saying…”
Rachel glanced at Owen, her eyes dark and unreadable. Then she spoke, her tone laced with meaning.
“Is someone trying to steal what belongs to the Sterling family and slap our name on it like it’s theirs?”
The implication was obvious.
Mr. Sterling’s expression hardened instantly. He frowned. “Rachel, don’t talk nonsense.”
The moment the words left her mouth, Rachel realized she had gone too far. Her heart skipped. She’d spoken too recklessly. Lowering her gaze, she fell silent.
Mr. Sterling shot her a helpless look before continuing, “All these years, if it weren’t for Owen, the Sterling Group wouldn’t have made it this far. And haven’t I told you before? Once you and Owen get married, the company will belong to both of you. We’re family. How can you talk as if we’re outsiders?”
His voice turned stern.
“I don’t want to hear something like that from you again. Do you understand?”
Then he looked at Owen. “Owen, Rachel has always been blunt and a little spoiled. Don’t take what she said to heart. Your dedication to this family—your care for us—your Mom and I have always seen it clearly. Don’t let her foolish words bother you.”
Owen set down his utensils and glanced at Rachel before nodding calmly at Mr. Sterling.
“I understand, Dad.”
He had always remembered the kindness and trust the two elders had shown him. A few careless words from Rachel wouldn’t shake that.
Just…
His gaze shifted back to her, thoughtful and probing.
“Let’s eat,” Mr. Sterling said, clearly unwilling to dwell on the topic. “As for Felix, we’ll make a decision after further evaluation.”
