Chapter 5 Burns' offer
1125 Words
Connor nodded slightly, confirming Rachel's guess. He then turned his cold gaze back to the rude man.
Despite Connor's youth and scholarly appearance, his six-foot-four height and muscular build clearly intimidated the man.
He tried to pull his wrist free from Connor's grip, but it was futile. Grinding his teeth, he demanded, "Who the hell are you?"
"That's not important. What's important is that you owe her an apology," Connor replied, his voice icy.
"I owe her? She's just trying to use her looks to get ahead, and she stepped on my foot!" The man's defiance wavered, though his tone was no longer as arrogant.
Connor sneered, towering over him. "You're good at twisting the truth. But unfortunately, Rachel Miller, a distinguished graduate of Northbrook University's art program, doesn't need to rely on her looks for success. Your crude remarks have caused her emotional distress, and unless you want me to take you to court, you'd better apologize right now!"
The man's bravado crumbled under Connor's piercing stare, and with a shudder, he reluctantly bowed his head and muttered an apology to Rachel.
Rachel was stunned. She couldn't believe Connor had gone to such lengths for her. The way he'd intimidated the man was indeed frightening, and it matched the impression she'd always had of him—cold, serious, and imposing.
*****
"Thank you, Connor..." Rachel said, her voice full of gratitude. She felt a bit foolish for mistaking him for Leslie earlier.
"No problem," Connor replied, his tone softening as he looked at her. "What brings you here?"
"I'm dropping off some of my mom's artwork," Rachel explained, showing him the portfolio.
But Rachel was more curious about Connor. She gestured at his glasses. "And what about you? Why are you dressed like this... and wearing glasses?"
She hadn't known Connor had poor eyesight.
Honestly, this version of Connor seemed even more mature and distinguished. Despite being Leslie's twin, he gave off a completely different vibe.
Connor adjusted his glasses instinctively. "Does it look strange? These glasses don't have a prescription. I'm just wearing them to look more professional while helping Mr. Burns with some business."
"They're just for show?" Rachel was surprised and then couldn't help but laugh. After studying him for a moment, she said, "No, not strange at all. In fact... you look quite handsome."
Connor wasn't expecting the compliment, and his expression softened as he looked at her. "Glad that you think so."
'He talks like my opinion really matters,' Rachel thought. Maybe it was just her imagination, but Connor didn't seem as distant as she'd assumed.
"You said you're helping Mr. Burns?" Rachel suddenly remembered she was there to deliver her mom's artwork to Burns.
"Someone applied for a job at the gallery and, after being rejected, filed a lawsuit against Mr. Burns for emotional distress ten months later. Mr. Burns' lawyer happens to be my professor, and I'm assisting him with the case."
"That's impressive." Rachel didn't hold back her praise.
"It's just an assistant job—mostly taking notes and such," Connor replied modestly, though his tone suggested he wasn't just being humble.
"Oh, don't downplay it. He must have recognized your talent," Rachel encouraged him. "Why else would he choose you out of all the students?"
Connor's gaze returned to her, his deep green eyes glinting with something like admiration. "Is that what you think?"
"Of course." Rachel smiled. "That's Northbrook's law school we're talking about. No wonder you didn't join us for water volleyball. I actually thought, like Leslie said, you were busy with assignments."
Connor's brow furrowed slightly at the mention of Leslie's name.
"You two had a lot of fun?" he asked, his tone carefully neutral.
"Yes," Rachel didn't hesitate, genuinely praising. "You've got a brother with a real talent for sports."
Remembering the tension between them at the dinner table, Rachel felt she should try to help smooth things over. She hoped Connor could feel proud of Leslie.
But instead of softening, Connor's expression darkened.
When they were younger, it always seemed like Rachel was closer to Leslie. Despite Connor's equal accomplishments, his less outgoing nature often left him overlooked by her.
"I'm sorry, Rachel. I didn't mean to miss out last time. But between Mr. Burns' case and other work for my professor, I've been swamped. I promise... if there's a next time, you should give me a chance. I'm sure I can do even better than Leslie."
"Uh..." Rachel was caught off guard by his sudden intensity, offering a reassuring smile. "It's really okay. We can plan something when you're free."
'Why does he care so much about this? It was just a casual game of water volleyball... wasn't it?'
"Deal," Connor said, pausing before adding, "and if you ever run into any trouble, don't hesitate to reach out to me. I'm always here for you."
His expression was so earnest that Rachel couldn't help but smile.
'Reach out to him? What, for legal advice? I don't think so. But he just said he'd always be there for me... What does that mean? Maybe he is just stressed out and saying things without thinking.'
*****
Connor left with his professor, and soon it was Rachel's turn to enter Burns' office and deliver the portfolio.
As she was about to leave, Burns called out to her, "Rachel, Molly showed me some of your old artwork. If you're interested, I'd love to showcase some of your pieces in a solo exhibition."
"Me?" Rachel was stunned.
She hadn't expected her mom to recommend her to Burns. While she certainly had the skills, fashion design and illustration were different fields. Rachel's true passion was fashion design. If it weren't for Trevor...
"I'm sorry, Mr. Burns," Rachel said, struggling with the decision, but remaining polite. "I need some time to think about it."
*****
On the drive home, Rachel's mind was in turmoil.
'If I accept Burns' offer, would it mean giving up on my dream of being a fashion designer?'
Trevor held significant sway in the New York fashion scene. Continuing her design career would inevitably mean dealing with him again, and she couldn't bear the thought of facing him.
But giving up on her dream because of one scumbag? That left a bitter taste in her mouth...
Lost in thought, Rachel suddenly lost control of the car, veering off the road and crashing into the flower beds in front of her house.
"Oh, no..." Rachel gasped, startled. 'If Dad sees this, he'd totally lose it!'
She quickly got out of the car, intending to assess the damage, when someone bent down to check the flowers.
"Geez... What happened, Rach? You alright?" Leslie asked, his eyes filled with concern as he looked at her.
- Writer
