"No, it's not like that." Rachael remarked. "I wasn't expecting a call from you so—" Though she wasn't getting a positive feeling from her, she couldn't treat her in an indecent way. No matter what she was still her husband's grandmother and she couldn't disrespect her.

"That's true—" Helen sighed and helplessly shook her head. "I took way too long to call you, didn't I? I should have called you earlier."

"I wanted to visit you as soon as I heard the news of your and Andrew's marriage but I stopped myself," she added. "Your husband would have definitely not liked it."

Before Rachael could say anything, Helen remarked, "But no matter how hard he tries to keep you away, we are gonna meet one day. Aren't we?"

"I am sure we will," she answered.

"I like your determination and confidence," Helen chuckled. "And I feel like you wanna meet me just as much as I want to meet you."

Pausing for a while, she added, "I love all my grandkids but Andrew holds a special place in my heart. I had thought I would get an opportunity to find the perfect match for him. In fact, I had even short listed a few women for—"

"Mrs. Volkov—" Rachael interrupted her. "Are you trying to say I am not a good match for your grandson?"historical

"Well—" Helen sighed. "I always thought that if Andrew married someone, he would choose a woman from our own ethnicity and background."

"I understand that as a grandmother, you had certain expectations and wishes but Andrew is married now," Rachael stated. "It doesn't matter if I am the perfect match or if I am good enough for him because I am already his wife."

"You called me all the way from Russia just to tell me that you had shortlisted women for my husband for marriage?" She raised her brows. "Don't you think it's a little inappropriate and offensive?"

"Well, the way you framed it does make it sound a little offensive," Helen smiled. "I didn't mean to offend you dear."

"Since you are Andrew's personal choice, I have no say in it. I just want to be a supportive Grandmother and give you both my blessings," she added.

Rachael didn't say anything to her, she just stayed silent. She didn't like how Helen was trying to look down on her.

She knew it would be very difficult for her to match shoulders with the members of Andrew's maternal family in terms of their background and the environment. But she was definitely not someone they could walk all over.

"Let me not hold you back when you are visiting your father's office," Helen remarked. "I'll hang up now but I'll definitely call you later. And maybe we will meet soon in person too."

"How do you know where I am?" Rachael frowned and looked around as an irie feeling enveloped her heart. Was she being followed?

"I know everything—" Helen chuckled before hanging up the call.

....

[Moscow, Russia]

[Volkov Mansion]

After hanging up the call, Helen tossed it aside and picked up her tea cup.

Noticing the sudden uplift in her expression, Lokus curiously inquired, "Madam, is everything okay?"

"Hmm, it's more than okay," she remarked as the corners of her lips curled upwards.

"Did young madam say something that made you happy?"

Taking a sip of her tea, Helen sighed in satisfaction. "Andrew never disappoints, my grandson knows what is best for him."

He was about to question her further when she added, "This Rachael girl, I like her."

"I knew madam would like her," Lokus exclaimed. "She seems to care about the young master a lot. She is really kind, passionate and independent. She is now working with young master and helping him with office work too."

"Hmm, I am no more worried about her blending in with our family," she took another sip. "She will be just fine."

"Make preparations to bring her to Russia," Helen instructed. "I wanna meet her in person."

"Madam, I don't think young master will like that—" Lokus knew how possessive and protective Andrew was when it came to his wife. If they used their sly methods to bring Rachael to Russia without his knowledge, the worst would happen.

"Just do it," she sighed. "If we bring her here, he will definitely come looking for her. I am sure Owen and Elsa will also follow him. This way at least I will get to see all my grandkids together."

Helen sighed and helplessly shook her head. "Maybe Daniel will come over too."

"Master recently visited Elisberg city and stayed with young master and madam for a whole week before flying back to Italy," Lokus informed.

"They have all the time to visit each other but not me," she frowned. "Drop a message to Daniel to call me."

...

[Elisberg City, Watson Enterprise]

When Rachael entered the building, the employees greeted her simultaneously to which she responded with a polite smile and nod.

She was visiting the office for the first time after her one year long break. The familiar infrastructure and a few faces made her feel very nostalgic.

"Rachael—" A man called her out before jogging towards her.

"Oh my God, Ryan—" She smiled and gave him a hug. "How are you?"

"I am good," Ryan answered as he pulled away. "It's so nice to have you back. You look fantastic as always."

"Are you joining back?" he added.

"Unfortunately no," she chuckled. "I just came here to grab a few things from my old office."

"Oh right, you work at Collins Corporation," Ryan remarked as he slapped his forehead. "How could I forget?"

"You are stressing over work too much again, aren't you?" Rachael sighed.

"Well—" he shrugged his shoulders. "You aren't there to check on me like before so—"

Ryan Harrington was the Associate Vice President of Watson Enterprise. He had joined the company at the same time as Rachael. The two of them were good friends and shared a neutral bond.

....