34 The Breakup

"Absolutely not!" Michael's mother shouted. "Do you think anyone can enter the gate of the Fu family? Do you think that a plain woman like her can become the hostess of our great family? If she can do it then even a dog can!" She continued shouting.

Michael was incensed with anger. He knew his family would probably oppose his engagement with Rachel but the words his mother spoke were intolerable.

"If she isn't fit for the Fu family, then neither am I!" Michael shouted back.

"Michael, What can you mean?" His mother asked.

"I'll renounce my right to inherit. I'll give up the company. And I'll break the mother-son bond." Michael threatened.

"You shameless child! Where is your filial piety, hmm? Only the poor can afford to marry for love." His mother continued.

He walked away from his mother for the last time.

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Rachel walked out of the Rising Sun Corporation for lunch. Charlotte was attending a business lunch with Gordon as his secretary so she was on her on for lunch today.

There was a black Rolls Royce parked out front but Rachel didn't pay it any mind. There were always important and wealthy people coming and going.

The window rolled down and a regal woman called out, "Rachel Gu!"

"Yes?" She answered in confusion.

"I'm Michael's mother. Get in the car please. I want a word with you." The woman commanded.

Rachel felt a dark foreboding, but did as she was told.

"Miss Gu is quite beautiful. It is no wonder that my son has set his eyes upon you." Michael's mother sneered.

"Thank you, aunt." Rachel said, knowing that is wasn't a compliment.

"I'll get straight to the point. How much money will it take to have you leave my son?" The arrogant woman asked.

"I don't want money. I love Michael!" Rachel protested.

"One million." The icy woman said.

"No! I'm not marrying for money." Rachel said again.

"Five million." The woman tried again.

"No! I love him, not his money." Rachel cried.

"Ten million and not a penny more." The woman said with a bland tone.

"I don't want your money! I just want Michael. There is no amount that will convince me to leave him." Rachel was firm.

The cold woman sighed. "I really hoped you'd play nice, Rachel. I don't like being so unkind, but you should be aware that I've researched you. I have investigated you very closely. I know your deepest secret. It would be a shame if the public became aware of your past indiscretion with Chairman Ye. Do you think my son would still have you knowing that you were another man's mistress?" Michael's mother asked as if she were talking about the weather.

Rachel was horrified and ashamed. Tears poured down her face and sobs shook her body.

"I was raped and tortured by that man! I never willingly gave myself to him! You hateful, wicked woman!" Rachel screamed.

"He says you served his needs for money. Your word against his. Here, take this and don't let me meet you again. Stay away from Michael." She said as she shoved a ten million dollar check into Rachel's hands.

Rachel didn't even glance at it before tearing it to shreds and fleeing the luxury car.

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"What's so urgent that you had to meet me right now for lunch? Can't get enough of me, can you?" Michael teased as he joined her in the restaurant box and pulled Rachel into his arms. She pulled away from him.

"Michael, I have to talk to you." Her voice was somber. Her eyes were red and swollen.

He suddenly realized something was very wrong.

"Sweetheart? What is it? Who dares to bully my woman?" He asked gently.

"Michael, I—I can't be your wife." Her words were chocked as she gently placed the ring he'd given her in front of him.

His face lost all color.

"Rachel, this is a joke right? You can't be serious. What do you mean?" Michael's voice rose with every word.

"I'm not qualified to be your wife. I'm dirty. Worthless. I will never be good enough to stand beside you." Her words were bitter.

"Who says you aren't qualified? I say no one in all the earth is qualified except you!" Michael insisted.

"I'm sorry but I can't. There are things, awful things in my past." Rachel said softly.

"So let me help you, Rachel. Let me fight beside you." He begged.

"Thank you. But I can't let you get dirty because of me." Rachel said.

Michael's brows furrowed.

"Why won't you accept my help?" He asked, his voice becoming angry "

"Because I can't. I'm not free to do so. I love you enough to let you go. So please respect my decision."

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"I'm leaving right now, Rachel because I'm very angry. But I warn you that I will never give up on us. You will be my wife. End of discussion!" He yelled.

He stormed outside and called his personal assistant.

"I want everything you can find out about someone."