Cassandra ran over as soon as she saw William’s face turn pale and his body hunched over in pain.

“William! Are you okay?”

“It hurts… I think my wrist’s broken.”

His voice had gone weak and hoarse. One could tell how much pain he was in from the sound alone.

Cassandra looked harshly at Tyler, her patience wearing thin. But even then, she didn’t dare raise her voice too much. There was still a lingering fear.

“Tyler, no matter what happened, William is still family. How could you do this to him over a woman who’s not even blood-related? How could you be so cruel?”

Anyone else might’ve tried to explain themselves or argue back, but not Tyler. He didn’t even blink.

“You already know I’m cruel, so why keep poking the bear? You all know exactly what I’m like. I don’t play nice. And if you’re smart, you’ll stay away from Rachel.”

He wrapped an arm around Rachel’s waist. When his gaze shifted to her, that stormy edge in his eyes softened.

“If we stay any longer, no one’s going to be able to finish their meal.”

Rachel gave him a sweet smile. “Then let’s go say goodbye to your dad and head out. I’ve been craving Wanda’s cooking.”

Tyler nodded affectionately. “Sure.”

He looked up at the crowd while still holding Rachel close.

“Well then, we’ll leave you all to enjoy lunch.”

The two of them started walking toward the living room. Rachel could feel the stares burning into her back.

Being with Tyler felt like walking around with a spotlight on her. The pressure was constant—people staring, whispering, and sizing her up.

She glanced up at him, half-teasing. “Being your girlfriend is seriously high-pressure. I think you owe me a reward when we get home.”

Tyler looked down at her and smirked. “How about two gold stars and a cookie?”

Rachel rolled her eyes. “You’re such a cheapskate.”

Tyler pulled out his phone and handed it to her. “Here. Look at this. If you can’t meet my standards, then maybe you’re not ready.”

Rachel blinked in confusion. She then took the phone, and her expression changed to one of shock.

“Did you actually approve it?”

It was the same proposal that had been rejected weeks ago in that conference room. She had assumed it was a dead end.

Tyler was known for being decisive. If he shut something down, it stayed shut. But now, he had greenlit it.

She looked up at him, unsure if she was seeing things.

“Wait, seriously? You’re not messing with me?”

Tyler’s smile grew. “Don’t you trust me? Fine, forget I said anything.”

He reached out to snatch the phone back, but Rachel pulled away just before he succeeded.

“Hey! I didn’t say I didn’t believe you. I’m just double-checking, in case you suddenly change your mind.”

Still grinning, she glanced at the screen again. Her smile froze. She shot him a skeptical look.

“These terms are brutal.”

Just scanning the terms, she could already tell it would take at least two to four weeks to rework everything. Even then, she would only get one shot at getting it approved.

Tyler took the phone back, his expression shifting—less teasing now, more businesslike. The change in energy was instant.

Rachel recognized that commanding gaze all too well. It was the same look he had when running a boardroom.

Tyler probably didn’t even realize it himself, but when he talked business, he exuded this overwhelming pressure that was impossible to ignore.