Chapter 177

+25 BONUS

“Doesn’t he even care about your reputation?” Cecilia went on.

Rachel forced a smile but didn’t say anything further.

She looked up, only to see Tyler standing by a tree, smoking a cigarette. Seeing him roused a cacophony of conflicting emotions in her.

He had clearly seen her just now. He had helped her before, and even Howard himself said that Tyler was the one who exposed his scandal.

Why did he choose to turn a blind eye to her plight this time?

Tyler was an unfathomable man. Rachel couldn’t see the surface of his thoughts, even after spending some time with him. He was certainly way more frightening than William ever was.

Cecilia held Rachel as they walked and she asked, “Why were you in such a secluded place with Samantha? Did she lure you there?”

“No, I bumped into her by accident.”

Rachel didn’t bother explaining much to Cecilia. There was no point in going into details, anyway.

After they descended the hill, Cecilia helped to treat Rachel’s wound.

The image of how Howard almost took advantage of her earlier kept playing in Rachel’s mind. She just couldn’t understand why Tyler hadn't stopped Howard.

Yet, he turned a blind eye to her plight.

Logic reminded her that that was the kind of person Tyler was. He was no good guy and didn’t need anyone imposing that sort of role on him.

She was trying to trap him in a stereotype, that’s all.

But once that logic evaded Rachel, she simply couldn’t figure out why Tyler chose to ignore her.

As Cecilia treated Rachel’s wound, she noticed Rachel remaining silent and in a daze. She stretched a hand out and waved it in front of Rachel.

“Rachel?”

Rachel finally snapped back to reality. “Yes, I’m fine. Just thinking about something.”

Cecilia looked at her with concern. “Why do I feel like you’re hiding something from me? What exactly is going on? Also, what’s with the mark on your neck? It looks like someone tried to strangle you.”

Cecilia reached out to open Rachel’s collar slightly, revealing a shocking red imprint that formed a stark contrast with Rachel’s fair, dewy skin.

When Cecilia drew close to Rachel, she could tell that Rachel was trembling ever so slightly despite her best efforts to bring herself under control.

Others might think that Rachel was shaking out of anger over William choosing to defend Samantha instead of herself. Yet, Cecilia didn’t think Rachel was the kind of person to get so mad that it affected her physically.

Rachel looked down, as if trying to hide something. She never realized how observant Cecilia could be when she wanted to.

Why were her senses so sharp and keen at a time like this?

Rachel took a deep breath and gently patted Cecilia on her shoulders. “You’re thinking too much. I just had a little fight with Samantha.”

Cecilia said firmly, “Whatever it is, I know for sure you couldn’t have pushed Samantha. I saw how pitiful she was pretending to be, and I knew she was plotting against you.”

Rachel no longer saw this as important.

Be it Samantha’s appearance or the realization that she had been Samantha’s replacement all these years, they only proved that things were thoroughly over between her and William.

Cecilia applied one last layer of ointment on Rachel’s wound.

“Alright, remember not to let the wound come in contact with water. Although it’s superficial, the wound is rather extensive. You don’t want it getting infected.”

Rachel nodded. “Okay.”

Cecilia kept the first-aid kit away before rising. “I won’t bother you anymore. Get some rest.”