Chapter 5 His Most Relentless Rival

The email had come from Phillip Barnes, the master perfumer whose name carried weight throughout the industry.

Rachael had barely slept after retrieving the equity transfer document the night before, and her thoughts kept circling back.

In Oniolens, the Shaw family was the richest. Her parents and brothers had already assured her that they would make up for the years apart, yet blood ties alone could not erase the distance created by never having lived under the same roof.

Rachael refused to go back as someone who relied on their charity, and she especially refused to endure the silent judgment from her new circle should she go back.

Within the perfume world, Phillip was considered untouchable. She was well aware that a mysterious corporation had recently poured more than one hundred billion into a partnership with him. Together, they had established a sealed research base. And now they were recruiting elite talent to launch a three-month program. Anyone who successfully created the designated fragrance would gain priority rights to collaborate on later projects.

That opportunity was exactly what she wanted.

Only by securing that priority collaboration could she return to the Shaw family with something to stand on.

Yet when Phillip had shown interest in her talent before, her mind had been fixed on marrying Xander. Because of that, she had turned down Phillip's invitations to train further with his team more than once.

She had assumed that she had already used up her chances with him. But reality surprised her.

When she opened the email, she learned that Phillip was currently in Amledo, a country separated from hers by a nine-hour time difference.

As Rachael read his words, his recognition of her dedication to her career stirred a mix of guilt and warmth in her chest.

Near the end of the message, Phillip explained that he was tied up with an ongoing project and would not be able to return to the country for now. However, he included a phone number and asked her to contact that person directly.

After sending a careful reply filled with gratitude, Rachael dialed the number he had provided.

No one picked up.

The line cut off immediately, which made it clear the other person had no time to talk.

Moments after the call ended, a new message appeared on her phone.

It was an address along with a specific meeting time.

From the way it was phrased, it was obvious they already knew Phillip had instructed her to make contact.

Rachael checked the clock and felt her pulse quicken when she realized she had less than thirty minutes to get there.

Digging through her wardrobe in a rush, she eventually pulled out a decent outfit she used to rely on often.

Out of courtesy, she kept her makeup light and understated before driving straight to the location.

By the time she arrived at the exquisite teahouse and went straight to a corner booth, she was only a minute away from being late.

"Sorry-the traffic was a nightmare."

She offered a small nod as she steadied her breathing, but then abruptly met a pair of cold eyes filled with quiet mockery.

Sharp features and refined lines gave the man an undeniably handsome appearance, yet his distant elegance carried a clear warning to keep away.

Rachael was shocked.

Kellan Mitchell?

From university days to the business world, he had always been Xander's most relentless rival.

Why was he here?

Resting against the teapot, Kellan's long fingers looked refined and careful as he lifted it.

With practiced ease, he poured a cup and gestured toward the empty seat.

"Go ahead and sit."

Nothing about his expression suggested surprise, as though he had expected her from the start.

Despite the questions swirling in her mind, Rachael forced herself to move and took the seat across from him.

"Mr. Mitchell, do you happen to know Mr. Barnes?"

His gaze gave nothing away, as if his thoughts were carefully locked behind a calm exterior.

A faint curve appeared at the corner of his lips. "He contacted me. He mentioned you wanted to resume your training with him. Back then, you rejected every invitation he sent because you were set on marrying Xander. So what changed? Have you lost interest in him now?"

The way he spoke sounded almost offhand, yet the mockery beneath it was impossible to miss.

Rachael did not know Kellan personally. All she understood was that he came from one of Oniolens' most powerful families, yet he had abandoned inherited wealth and built Crescent Group from nothing here in Mophia.

Within three short years, his company had almost pushed Spencer Group to the edge of collapse.

Given that history, his sharp attitude likely came from the long standing feud between Crescent Group and Spencer Group.

Her brows drew together as she responded with restraint, "Mr. Mitchell, we barely crossed paths in the past. I have already decided to end things with Xander. From this point on, whatever conflicts you have with him do not involve me."

As he slowly turned the cup in his hand, his movement stopped without warning upon hearing her words. His eyes snapped up, dark and intent.

"You are getting a divorce from Xander?"

She noticed the quick glint of satisfaction in his eyes, and even though it was a simple question, it quietly got under her skin.

So much for the rumors about him being cold and indifferent. Not only did he enjoy gossip, he seemed entertained by other people's misfortune.

She kept her voice steady. "That matter has nothing to do with you, and it is not the reason we are meeting today. Mr. Barnes told me to contact you. As for what he intends to arrange, I do not know. Will you kindly enlighten me?"

Rachael had never heard of any prior connection between Phillip and Kellan, which only deepened her confusion.

She wondered if Crescent Group planned to use Phillip's influence as a weapon against Spencer Group's perfume line.

Then she reminded herself that she was already in the middle of ending things with Xander. That was enough reason to stay out of it and she refused to become a pawn in someone else's power game.

Tension gathered in her hands as she weighed what to do next.

Without warning, Kellan let out a low, humorless laugh.

"Three years ago, you turned Phillip down again and again. What makes you believe that coming back now means he should just welcome you with open arms and even clear the path for you? That kind of confidence is impressive. Or is this meeting just another way to smooth things over for Xander?"

Listening to him, Rachael felt convinced that something was definitely wrong with this man.

"Mr. Mitchell, if you distrust my intentions, then there is no reason to continue. I will speak to Mr. Barnes myself once he returns. This meeting is over."

With that, she pushed her chair back and moved to leave.

He stood at the same time, and the difference in their height was impossible to ignore. At nearly 6.3 feet tall, his presence pressed in on her with unfamiliar intensity.

Instinct made her step aside, but her knee struck the edge of the table, sending her stumbling forward into his chest.

Her palm brushed against the heat beneath his suit, and her cropped jacket left her waist exposed as his hand caught her, the warmth startling and unwelcome.

Every nerve in her body reacted as she shoved him away with force.

Fabric tore sharply the next second-the button on her sleeve snagged on the pocket of his suit jacket, ripping the seam open and revealing the smooth silk lining underneath.

An uneasy silence filled the room.

His hand hovered in the air, frozen.

Rachael blushed, and as she started to speak, a piercing voice from a woman nearby sliced through the moment.