Samantha’s eyes widened at Rachel’s words, her entire body growing tense.

Everyone else looked at Rachel with curiosity, excited to hear some groundbreaking news.

Samantha clenched her fists as she stared at Rachel with flushed cheeks, feeling her heart in her throat.

A momentter, Rachel burst intoughter.

“I’m just joking! Don’t take it so seriously. Eat more, Ms. Judd. Look at how skinny you are. How will you take care of your boyfriend when you eventually have one?”

Samantha’s face stiffened, and she forced a smile. Rachel even gave her a pat on her shoulder before leaving. Samantha could feel a sheen of sweat on her back.

After Rachel left, everyone at the table turned their attention to her. Many colleagues surrounded her and bombarded her with questions.

“Oh my gosh, Ms. Judd! Are you really in a rtionship?”

“Why didn’t I hear about this before?”

“Is your boyfriend’s surname also Lewis? Is he a brother

other or a rtive of Mr. Lewis?”

??

“Why didn’t you tell us you have a boyfriend?”

“Exactly!”

“When will you bring him to us so we can have a look?”

Samantha grew increasingly frustrated with the people crowding around her, and her face flushed with embarrassment.

“We’ll go hiking over thereter. Please gather at the same ce this morning after your meal,” she said.

With that, she hurriedly left.

Rachel walked away and took a deep breathb, /bfinally feeling relieved. She didn’t find things as stifling as before.

“I didn’t expect the ws of a cat to be so sharp and lethal,” came Tyler’sment.

Rachel scoffed as she threw him a nce. “What, do you think I’m the kind to be a sitting duck, Mr. Hunt?”

Tyler lifted the leg of his pants and squatted next to her. “I just don’t understand. You already know what William is doing behind your back, and you’re still not getting a divorce? What exactly are you nning to do?”

“I’m not nning to do anything,” Rachel said with a chuckle. “Mr. Hunt, don’t use your paranoia on me.”

Tyler looked at her as he toyed with his lighter in his hands, making a brightb, /bmetallic sound as it moved around.

“I never doubt my judgement.”

Rachel simply looked far into the mountains before her.

b“/bI’m not hiding anything, and I’m not nning anything.”

Tyler chuckled, not saying a word further.

He didn’t think Rachel was one to proceed without a n. That incisive look in her eyes was enough to tell him there was more to her than meets the eye.

Tyler’s gaze made Rachel slightly uneasy. She took a deep breath before asking, “What are you doing, staring at me?”

Tyler cupped his chin in his hands and smirked wickedly. “You look good.”

For some reason, his reply sent a shiver down Rachel’s spineb. /bbHis /beyes were like those of a predator eyeing its prey.

Why did she feel like she was the prey he was eyeing?

She tried to shake the feeling away.

“I suppose we can start work on this project tomorrow, right?” she asked.

“bYes/bb. /bYou know that your proposal has been approved. It can be executed as per normal anytime.”

Rachel heaved ba /bsigh of relief.

In that case, it was time for her to prepare to leave. William would be able to open the present she prepared for him.

Just then, Cecilia approached them. She nodded at Tyler and greeted him.

“Mr. Hunt.”

Tyler nodded back.

Seeing Cecilia, the knot on Rachel’s brows eased. Although she had a clear conscience, she was worried about rumors that others might start spreading.

What’s more, she was going to the Lewis household with Tyler tonight. The mere thought of it gave her a headache.

Rachel took a deep breath and held Cecilia’s hand. “What’s the matter?”

“It’s gettingte, and we’re supposed to gather. We’re hiking up the mountain in a while.”

“Got it,” Rachel said as she looked down at her dress. It wasn’t tight–fitting, but it still made things inconvenient for her.

+25 bBONUS /b

bChapter /bb163 /b