Trapped By Tainted Love

The corners of Rachel's lips twitched and even Ivan couldn't suppress a chuckle.

'She really does look quite different.It's not just her look; she seems to have had a personality make-over.That's why it's so hard for people to recognize her"

Victor thought to himself, as he looked at Carson with apprehension.

"No, that would be impossible.No procedure of that magnitude could have such a short recovery time, right? By God, Rachel, you..."

Carson kept babbling as he walked around Rachel, examining every inch of her face and body.

"Mr.Scott, I assure you there is nothing of that sort.I simply changed my makeup routine.I decided to keep it as light as possible,"Rachel said shrugging and she took a step back to put some distance between her and Carson.

Arms crossed in front of his chest, Carson marveled, "Well I'll be damned! The clothes really do make the man...and a woman! Rachel, what were you thinking before, putting on so much make up? That stuff only covered your beauty! You look so pretty now that even I would..."

Carson felt Victor's stare ready to poke a hole on the back of his head.

He felt a shiver running down his spine and immediately stopped talking before he said something he would regret later.He swallowed hard and wiped off a drop of sweat that had formed on his forehead.

'What the hell was I thinking? I almost blurt out that I would love to take Rachel out.I need to get a grip! She is Victor's woman and I'm his best friend.Even if they broke up, she used to be his wife! She is off limits"

Carson berated himself.

"What's going on here?"

Victor glanced first at Ivy, who looked like a mess, and then fixed his eyes on Alice.

He didn't even acknowledge Rachel's presence.

"Mr.Sullivan..."

Alice started recounting the whole story, in a small, trembling voice, her eyes lowered all the time.

Although, she conveniently left out the part where lvy had poured coffee on Abby on purpose.

When she finished, Victor's face was set in a frown.He immediately turned to Rachel.

"What the hell were you thinking, spilling hot water on her?" he shouted angrily, pointing at Ivy.

"Apologize this instant!"

Rachel stared back at him boldly, one eyebrow raised.

'Reaching conclusions without enough evidence again, Victor? Your specialty" Rachel thought angrily.

of

gave a mental eye roll, disgusted

Victor saw the look in her eyes, he grew even

was what he hated the most about Rachel! That infuriating woman

in a cold, threatening voice, one that would

to apologize to Ivy, Rachel!" Rachel

turned pale with

forward and stood right in front of Rachel, facing Victor.She lowered her head and barely managed to utter, "Mr....Mr.Sullivan, it's all my fault.I am the one that

then turned around and looked at Ivy, ready to bow

"Stop it, Abby."

that everyone

moved the

into Victor's eyes as she said in a steady, clear voice, "I did nothing wrong.No need to apologize for me.If anyone thinks an apology is in order, they should make it themselves.Blue veins were bulging out on Victor's neck, his eyes as frosty.He was gritting his teeth so hard

"Very good.Rachel! Well done!"

just stood there with identical expressions

apologizing.I don't want you to get in trouble.Really..." Abby said, anxiously looking between the two people in front of her, ready to spew fire from their eyes like some mythic creatures of

off Rachel, Victor barked, "Ivan, send a note to the HR

be in charge of cleaning all the

until she is done and if anyone

bathrooms in this building? That was too

there were at least half a dozen bathrooms

of good breeding, her family one of the most important ones

her to complete such a demeaning task as clean bathrooms- both ladies' and men's- was clearly an attempt to humiliate her

think that this

talk Victor

this...Isn't it a

Carson you could never resist a pretty face,"

unfair, I can always make an exception and let

your woman.Who am I to tell you what to do with her?" Carson said raising his hands in a placating manner

and turned to

to have dodged a bullet there,

"Wait for me!"

them were

boredom, he tried his best to persuade him to go out for a

"One more drink, Mr.Scott?"

asked, as she snuggled in Carson's arms, holding a

gave her his most charming smile and held her waist tighter as he took