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.

even ask for my side of the story; he

gave a mental eye roll,

the look in

Rachel! That infuriating woman was so stubborn that she never backed

voice, one that would send the

asked you to apologize to Ivy, Rachel!" Rachel didn't

face had turned

front of Rachel, facing Victor.She lowered her head and barely managed to utter, "Mr....Mr.Sullivan, it's all my

at Ivy, ready to bow her head, but before she could do that, Rachel

"Stop it, Abby."

and commanding that everyone turned to look

wrist and moved the girl behind her,

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

"Very good.Rachel! Well done!"

just stood there with identical

get in trouble.Really..." Abby said, anxiously looking between the two people in front of

Victor barked, "Ivan, send a note to the HR department! All the cleaners get

of cleaning all the bathrooms in the

off work until she is done and if anyone helps her,

bathrooms in this building? That was

and there were at least

of good breeding, her family

as clean bathrooms- both ladies' and men's- was clearly

this was taking

tried to talk Victor out

this...Isn't it a bit extreme,

you could never resist a pretty face," Victor

is unfair, I can always make an exception and let you help

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

snorted and turned

to have dodged a bullet there, Carson

"Wait for me!"

the two of them

when he could no longer stand the boredom, he tried his best to persuade him to go out for

"One more drink, Mr.Scott?"

brunette asked, as she snuggled in Carson's arms, holding a glass of wine to

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