Chapter 156
At Elysium Biotech Institute, Rain finally managed to finish everything by two in the afternoon and headed straight to the airport with Clifford, who would need to stay behind for a few more days.
“You don’t have to stay here with me; you should head back already,” Rain murmured as Clifford accompanied her inside the airport.
“Well, I’ll just make sure you’re on the plane before I leave,” Clifford replied with a grin, guiding her to the waiting area. “Stay here, I’ll grab us some bubble tea p>
Rain watched as Clifford headed off to buy the drinks. She smiled to herself, feeling warm inside, thanks to Alexander’s earlier text message. He had reminded her to eat before the engagement party and to bring some chocolates with her, which she would pack in case she got hungry later.
The party was being held at Paul’s family estate, and after what had happened during the firm’s anniversary party—where Paul had drugged her—Rain was determined not to let her guard down. She trusted Alexander’s advice and planned to take her own bottled water, avoiding anything offered at the event.
Clifford returned shortly, handing her a bubble tea before sitting down beside her.
Rain took a sip and smiled gratefully. “You’re really going to stick around, huh?” she teased, glancing at him.
“Of course,” Clifford replied with a chuckle. “I want to make sure you get on that plane safe and sound p>
“Thanks,” Rain said, savouring the refreshing taste of the tea.
“Is he coming to the engagement party?” Clifford asked, referring to Alexander.
“He said he’ll be late, but he’ll come,” she answered with a smile.
“Hmm, can I ask you a question?” Clifford murmured, his tone turning serious.
“Sure, fire away,” she replied.
“How come you never thought of me as a husband? I mean… if you need one, would you ever consider me, Rain?” Clifford asked, his voice soft but full of emotion.
His eyes locked onto hers, intense and searching. Rain took a deep breath. She wasn’t oblivious—she had known for years that Clifford’s feelings for her ran deeper than friendship.
In fact, she had been waiting for this moment, for him to gather the courage to confess. It would have been awkward for her to bring it up first, especially when he hadn’t expressed his feelings. Now that he had, she couldn’t help but feel proud of him for finally letting it out.
“I love you, and I’m willing to do anything for you,” Clifford continued, his confession sincere and raw.
Rain took another deep breath, choosing her words carefully.
She met his gaze, her expression soft but firm. “Clifford, you’re incredibly special to me. I value our bond so much. To me, you’re like a big brother—someone I want to cherish and depend on, just like you’ve always been there for me. You’ve always had my back, and I’ve always had yours. That’s something I want to keep forever p>
She saw Clifford’s face shift, his features softening, but there was a trace of disappointment in his eyes. “I understand,” he said quietly, giving a small nod. “I just had to ask. You mean a lot to me, Rain p>
“And you mean a lot to me too,” Rain reassured him, reaching over to gently squeeze his hand. “That’s why I want to be honest with you. I don’t want anything to be unclear between us p>
Clifford managed a small smile, though his heart was clearly heavy. “Yeah, I get it. I’ll always be here for you, no matter what p>
Rain smiled warmly at him. “I know you will, and I’m proud of you for telling me how you feel. I just wish you’d done it a little earlier… It would’ve given you more time to move on p>
Clifford chuckled softly, but there was still curiosity in his eyes. “If Alexander hadn’t come along… is there really no chance p>
Rain tilted her head thoughtfully, giving him a kind smile. “Clifford, you’re family to me. A brother, truly p>
“I guess that’s a no Clifford muttered, his shoulders slumping slightly.
Rain gave him a gentle smile. “You’re a good man, Clifford, and I’m sure there’s someone out there who’s perfect for you,” she said, hoping to lift his spirits.
A moment of silence followed, heavy but not uncomfortable. The time had come for Rain to check in for her flight. She stood up, smoothing out her jacket. “I’ll see you soon, alright? Keep me updated on everything,” she said with a nod.
Clifford managed a smile and nodded in return. “Take care,” he replied as she began walking toward the boarding gate.
Once inside the plane, Rain settled into her seat, making herself comfortable. She was about to switch her phone to flight mode when it beeped with a new notification. Her brow furrowed as she saw that it was a private message on her social media account—a platform she rarely used or updated.
Curiosity piqued, Rain hesitated for a moment before opening the message. It was from an unknown sender, sitting in her message requests. She could feel her heartbeat quicken as her finger hovered over the notification.
When she finally opened it, her heart sank. The photos displayed Alexander, but he wasn’t alone. A woman, smiling widely, was embracing him in the picture. Rain’s chest tightened as she recognized the woman immediately—Carla Cartier.
Her mind raced as she stared at the images, trying to process what she was seeing. It was clear these photos had been sent to her deliberately, with the intention of causing turmoil. But by whom? That didn’t matter as much as the motive behind them, which was all too predictable. The aim was to stir doubt, to make her question Alexander’s loyalty, to shake her resolve.
Rain took a deep breath, willing herself to stay calm. This wasn’t the time to jump to conclusions, but she knew she couldn’t ignore it either.
Just as Rain was trying to process the photos, another message popped up—a link to an internet news article. Her pulse quickened as she clicked on it.
The headline hit her like a punch to the gut: Carla Cartier Reunites with Her Ex-Boyfriend After Five Years—A Prominent and Powerful Business Tycoon, The Youngest Tycoon in the World!
Rain’s eyes scanned the article, and there, the text gushed about how Carla Cartier, the famous actress, had supposedly rekindled her romance with her ex, now the world’s youngest and most successful business tycoon. There were even mentions of them being spotted together at the hotel, fueling rumours of a romantic reunion.
Rain’s good mood vanished in an instant. Annoyance surged through her as she quickly forwarded the photos and the news article to Alexander without a second thought. She didn’t bother adding a message; the images and headlines said it all.
With a sharp exhale, she powered off her phone p>