Chapter 696

Rachel pouted. “Oh.”

Dragging her feet, she followed Tyler upstairs, her heart thundering in her chest as though it might burst out.

Could he have already picked up on something?

Apart from Cecilia, there shouldn’t have been anything suspicious.

Closing the door behind her, Rachel clenched her fingertips tight and forced herself to appear calm as she stepped forward.

“What is it?”

Suddenly, Tyler spun around and pinned her against the door. His fingers tapped lightly against the wood. The cold gleam off his watch reflected on her.

“Your acting’s not bad, Rachel.”

Rachel froze for a beat. She then smiled as if confused.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Tyler leaned closer. His cedar and tobacco scent rubbed off on her.

“Don’t you think Cecilia’s reaction was strange? The way she looked at me wasn’t like fear at all. It was guilt.”

Rachel’s heart skipped a beat. She knew it–Cecilia’s slip had caught his attention.

Digging her nails into her palm, she steadied her voice.

“You must be joking. Cecilia was scared, that’s all. She’s timid. You know that better than anyone. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have called me over in the first place.”

She tried to push him back, but Tyler didn’t budge. His gaze bore into her until she felt a chill down her spine.

“Her husband’s debts aren’t new. People must’ve come knocking plenty of times. Tell me–someone used to facing that kind of mess, would she really fall apart like that? And funnily enough, she only got that scared when she saw me. Almost as if she owed me money.”

Rachel knew there was no point dancing around the edges anymore. She shifted tactics and went straight for the heart of it.

“You think we’re putting on a show? Fine. Then tell me–what would we gain from staging all this for you?”

Chapter 696

Tyler studied her delicate face in silence for a long moment. Then, unexpectedly, a low, husky laugh slipped from his throat.

The sudden sound threw Rachel off. She frowned slightly.

“What are you laughing at?”

Tyler finally released her, stepping back to give her space.

“I’ll give you a chance to explain now. If you stay quiet, don’t cry to me when I find out the truth later.”

His smile might have been dazzling, but to Rachel it felt like the weight of a steel jack pressing down on her chest, suffocating her.

Putting on a show of indifference, she lifted her chin.

“If you want to investigate, go ahead. As for me, I’m going to shower and rest.”

With that, she brushed past him, pulled clothes from the wardrobe, and disappeared into the bathroom.

Tyler stood and watched the bathroom door for a moment before turning his gaze away.

Just then, Yale knocked.

“Mr. Hunt, I heard something’s happened at the company. Do you want to go take a look?”

Tyler opened the door. He looked Yale up and down, who stiffened under the scrutiny. Yale’s feet felt as heavy as lead, refusing to move.

Forcing a tight, awkward smile, Yale asked, “Mr. Hunt, why are you looking at me like that? Did I do something wrong?”

Chapter 697