Tyler frowned as if he didn’t quite buy what Rachel had just said. “Is that so?”

Rachel nodded seriously, as if worried he might not believe her. “Yeah, that’s all it was. You interrupted me before I could explain.”

From her words, Tyler seemed to recall how he’d just jumped to a conclusion. His eyes briefly swept over her, though his expression remained unreadable.

“Oh.”

There wasn’t the slightest hint of embarrassment or awkwardness from him, despite his earlier assumption.

Rachel couldn’t help but admire him a little. This man probably didn’t even know what the word ‘awkward’ meant.

If it had been her, just imagining the situation from the other side made her cringe inside. If she’d misunderstood someone like that, especially in that way, she would probably want to disappear into a hole.

Tyler twisted the cap off the ointment and grabbed Rachel’s hand.

Rachel lowered her gaze. Her voice was much softer than usual. “I can do it myself.”

“Stop acting all shy. It’s annoying.” He frowned. A flicker of impatience appeared on his face.

Rachel didn’t dare argue. Tyler wasn’t the type who liked drawn-out drama. If she kept insisting, he’d probably spit out something even harsher in return.

She thought it was best not provoke him, especially not when she was leaving soon.

She obediently held out her hand for him to apply the ointment. Perhaps it was just her imagination, but Rachel thought his touch tonight was more gentle than usual.

But that couldn’t be. Tyler wasn’t that kind of guy.

She figured she must’ve been so shaken by what had just happened that even Tyler was starting to look decent.

Still, the silence in the car started to feel stifling.

Trying to shake it off, she recalled something and asked, “Why were you even in that neighborhood this late?” Tyler paused for a moment before replying.

“I was just passing by. A friend was trying to drag me out for drinks. My night was ruined because of you.” He dipped a cotton swab into the ointment and gently dabbed it on her wound in soft, careful circles. To Rachel’s surprise, it didn’t sting at all. It actually tickled a little.

Realizing she’d disrupted his plans, she felt a pang of guilt. She never liked owing people favors.

“I’m sorry. If you’ve got something to do, I can get out here. You don’t have to worry about me.”

Tyler glanced at his watch. He then held it up for her to see. “Do you think anyone would wait for an hour?”

Rachel lowered her gaze. Guilt crept into her voice. “Sorry. In that case, let me drink with you to make it up to you. How does that sound?”

At that, something flickered in Tyler’s eyes. His gaze deepened with interest. “You? Drink with me?”

She caught a hint of skepticism in his look and lifted her chin proudly. “What, don’t think I can hold my liquor? I’ll have you know, I’m pretty good.”

She’d inherited it from her father, after all.

Chapter 196 +25 BONUS

Tyler leaned his cheek against his palm and eyed her with amusement. “You sure about that, Rachel?” he asked teasingly.

“Try me,” Rachel shot back confidently.

After everything that had happened today, her mind was a mess. Even if she went home, she doubted she’d get any sleep.

She might as well have a drink and clear her head.

She thought about it. Aside from her family, the only friend she had in Yurelia City was Cecília. All her old friends had gone abroad.