Rachel was already growing impatient.

"Dad, I’ve made myself very clear. The only reason I still acknowledge you as my father is because, even though you’re blatantly biased toward Yvette, I can at least understand it. She’s your daughter, too. But you can’t guilt-trip me. I’m under no obligation to make up for the remorse you feel toward her."

Then, Jim dropped a different bomb. "I heard Tyler’s company is in trouble. If he can’t secure investors soon, won’t it be on the verge of bankruptcy?"

At that, Rachel felt a sharp unease in her chest. "What are you trying to do?"

"I know Lloyd Enterprise can’t solve all of his problems, but it could at least buy him some time. If you’re willing to show your sister some mercy, I’ll give you half of Lloyd Enterprise in exchange."

Rachel’s heart clenched. She didn’t even know how to process the emotions crashing over her. To think that, for the sake of saving Yvette–the same person who once tried to destroy her–her father was willing to hand over half the company. Her eyes welled with tears, though she didn’t let it show. Instead, she asked him softly, "If one day it were me in that position, would you use the company to save me too?"

Jim didn’t even hesitate. "Yes."

The disappointment in Rachel’s eyes softened just a little, but she still couldn’t give him an answer right away.

"I’ll think about it. I’ll give you a reply in a couple of days."

"Alright. Take your time, there’s no rush. As for your sister… She brought this on herself. A little suffering in there will do her some good."

Those last words eased Rachel’s frustration somewhat. When she hung up, she glanced back at Tyler and saw his brows drawn so tight they practically formed a straight line. She had been upset a moment ago, but seeing his face actually made her laugh.

"Who ticked you off, Tyler? Should I get you a mirror so you can see the look on your face?"

Tyler, looking every bit the stern disciplinarian, reached out and lifted her chin with his fingers. "What, are you thinking of softening up and letting Yvette out?"

"No. Didn’t I just turn him down?"

Rachel wasn’t about to tell Tyler everything yet. She needed more time to sort things out. The real problem was that Tyler still hadn’t signed the contract, which left a gaping hole in the situation.

Tyler gave her a cool glance. "You’ve refused for now. But who’s to say you won’t change your mind after a night of thinking it over?"

Rachel covered her mouth and coughed awkwardly. "Could you not dissect every single word I say like you’re running some kind of analysis on me?" Then, quickly, she switched the subject. "What about your company? Have you figured it out yet? You don’t have much time left. Don’t just try to comfort me with that line about how signing tomorrow’s deal will solve everything. I know it won’t be that simple."

At her words, Tyler’s expression softened. He reached out and rubbed her hair affectionately. "That’s not something you need to worry about. I’ll handle it."

Rachel knew him well enough by now–whenever he gave her that same evasive reassurance, it meant the problem was far worse than he was letting on. But she didn’t push.

"By the way, are you going back to the office to work overtime tonight?" she asked.

Tyler finished eating, dabbed his mouth with a napkin, and leaned back. "I don’t know yet. Why? Hoping I’ll leave so you can sneak off to a bar with some guy?"

Rachel rolled her eyes. "I was just asking. You’re way too paranoid."

"Then why did Cecilia send you so many pictures of men? Pretty boys, gym rats, college guys, even engineers. Quite the variety, isn’t it?"