Twisted Fates: A Game of Love and Retribution

"For wealth, can you truly cast aside what we have?"

"I'm sorry."

"Give me three years; I'll lay the world at your feet."

"I can't wait..."

"Rachel..."

"...I'm sorry."

"Rachel Foster, one day you'll regret this."

His final words were calm, devoid of anger, yet a flicker of pain flashed in his usually proud eyes. That look of hurt would haunt her, waking her up with tears countless nights.

Seven years had passed, and she wondered if her tears had dried up, as she could no longer cry.

Oliver knocked and entered, pulling her from her thoughts.

"Miss Foster, you don't look well. Even if you're worried about Mr. Reed, you must take care of yourself," Oliver said, standing before her desk, concern etched on his face.

Rachel, who had been resting her forehead in frustration, sat up. "Have the directors left?"

Oliver nodded. "They aren't aware of the investigation. They have no further concerns since you've assured them the situation will be resolved."

Rachel leaned back, a mix of relief and fatigue visible on her face. "You may leave now. I want some time alone."

"Yes." Oliver turned and left, gently closing the door, but not before catching the worry on Rachel's face.

Rachel moved to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the bustling cityscape below. The towering buildings and busy traffic seemed distant, her gray and isolated world.

Leaning against the window, she drifted back into her thoughts. She was deeply worried about Jasper. If not for the accident, they'd be planning their engagement. Fortunately, she had managed to arrange things at the police station. Though she couldn't contact him for the next two days, at least she didn't have to worry about his safety.

Her phone's ringtone cut through the silence. It was Diana, her younger sister studying in the United States.

"Hey, sis, I heard you and Jasper are getting engaged. Congrats... I must come back to be your bridesmaid." Diana's voice was filled with excitement, oblivious to the recent events. Rachel wouldn't burden her sister with her worries.

"We'll talk about it when you're back... I have to go to a meeting now, so I'll hang up if there's nothing else." She couldn't muster a cheerful mood.

"You're so boring, sis. Always in meetings or working. I wanted to tell you that I'm in love..."

"We'll talk about it next time!"

"My first love and you..."

"I have to go to a meeting."

"...Fine!" Diana reluctantly hung up, clearly eager to share her newfound romance. Rachel should have been more interested, but it seemed trivial compared to her current concerns.

As she ended the call, the world seemed to return to silence. After contemplating by the window, Rachel grabbed her bag and left the office.

Unexpectedly, she encountered the directors who had just left but returned, with Oliver unable to intercept them.

"Miss Foster, Director Smith and the others..."

Before Oliver could finish, Director Smith urgently asked, "Miss Foster, what's happening? You said Mr. Reed was on a business trip..."

Before Rachel could grasp the situation, an employee approached with a tablet, a news report on the screen.

"Breaking news: Jasper Reed, head of Silverstone Holdings, is under police investigation for alleged illegal financing. Evidence is still being collected, but Jasper has already been detained and may face a sentence of three to ten years for illegal financing."