But there was no way around it–if this contract bwasn’t /bsigned, Rachel couldn’t leave.

Even without looking, Rachel could feel Samantha and William’s res stabbing into her like needles. After Tyler pulled that move, everyone probably thought she bwas /bon his side.

Otherwise, why would he hand something this important to her instead of reviewing it himself?

Rachel hesitated for a moment, then finally reached out and took the contract. Then, she braced herself as she flipped through the pages. After checking everything carefully, she looked at Tyler and said, “Mr. Hunt, I’ve gone through it. Everything looks fine.”

Tyler waved his hand. “Good. Go ahead and sign it.”

As soon as the contract was signed, Samantha couldn’t hold it in anymore and quickly said, “I’ll let you all keep talking. I need some air.”

William took the document and instinctively looked at Rachel. She knew exactly what that meant. But no matter what, she wasn’t going to let William be the one to speak first–not with Yvette watching, ready to mock her.. So she said, “Go check on her. She’s new–maybe not used to this kind of pressure.”

William gave a short nod. “Call me when you’re ready to leave.”

bAnd /bwith bthat/b, he walked right past her, contract in hand.

Rachel’s eyes turned colder.

She picked up the drink Yvette had handed her earlier and offered it to Tyler. Her lips quirked upwards as she said, “Mr. Hunt, congrattions on securing the rights to Project Oasis,”

Tyler gave her a look of pure disdain. “That smile’s pretty ugly–try not to use it again.”

Rachel’s bsmile /bfroze on her face.

bThis /bman was as ruthless as ever. He had said something just like that thest time btoo/b, but she didn’t think her smile was that bad.

Still, she curled her blips /bagain, just slightly. “Got it.”

She pushed the drink forward again.

Tyler took it, giving it a once–bover/b. “This isn’t poisoned, is it?”

bRachel’s /bexpression twitched. She wasn’t about to let that slide.

“Then don’t drink it,” Rachel muttered, starting to pull the ss back.

But before bshe /bcould, Tyler snatched it right out of her hand “Fine. I’ll drink it–just to be polite.”

He raised the ss to his lips, paused for a second, then tipped it back and downed it in one go. “bHmm/b. Not bad. A little bitter, though.”

Rachel pursed her lips. “All the drinks here taste the same. How can it be a little bitter?”

She was too busy trading barbs with Tyler to notice Yvette beside her, bface /bgrowing more and more sour.

Tyler leaned forward slightly and held the ss toward her It really is bitter. Don’t believe me? Try it yourself.”

Rachel wrinkled her nose and turned her head. “You already finished it.”

Tyler’s lips curved into a smirk, and his voice droppedzy, low, and rough. When he next spoke, his voice was a husky whisper that brushed past her ear like he was speaking right next to her.

Rachel’s face flushed instantly.

“What’s wrong? Afraid of an indirect kiss?”

Rachel’s brain practically short–circuited. Her whole face was hot, and she wanted nothing more than to disappear into the floor.

How did he say stuff like that so shamelessly? And in front of Yvette, no less?

If this weren’t such a public setting, Rachel honestly would have punched him.

Though. She probably wouldn’t dare.

In a rush to change the subject, she grabbed Yvette and showed her a little closer to him.

“Mr. Hunt, let me introduce you. This is my younger sister, Yvette. I heard you’re still single, right? Maybe you two should dateb./bb” /b

The amused look bin /bTyler’s eyes vanished in an instant, band /bhis gaze sharpened.

“You’re trying to set me up with bsomeone/b?”

Rachel’s stomach tightened under his stare. When she thought of her mother’s bgrave/bb, /bshe forced herself to keep going.

“Yeah. My sister’s pretty andes from a good family. Maybe you could give her a bchance/b?”

Tyler crossed his arms and leaned casually back against the wall again.

“I like men.”

Rachel fell speechlessb. /b