Chapter 205

Rachel instinctively raised her hand to wipe at the corner of her eye. Sure enough, her hand came away damp. She had cried without even realizing it.

But Rachel was proud. If she admitted it, Tyler would definitely tease her about it.

So she kept up the act. “I didn’t cry. Some dust just got into my eyes.”

“Oh? You sure it wasn’t your eyes that got into the dust?”

“Huh?” Rachel froze for a second, actually doubting if she’d said it wrong. Then she realized that Tyler was messing with her.

Seeing her lost expression, Tyler chuckled. “Looks like you’ve been scared silly.”

Rachel bit her lip in embarrassment. “I’ve never experienced something like that before. Being scared is normal. But I wasn’t scared that bad.”

Tyler only laughed again. “I’ll have Tim take you home. This late at night, even if William wasn’t worried before, he’s probably starting to panic now.”

But Rachel didn’t plan on going home. If anything, she wished she could stay out for the next few days, right up until she left this city for good.

She shook her head. “No. I’ll stay here with you. After all, you got hurt because of me. It’s my responsibility.”

Tyler immediately saw through her. “If you’re using me as a shield, just say so. I charge for that kind of thing.”

Rachel’s heart skipped. She knew it. Tyler was far too cunning. She couldn’t hide much from a man like him. She hadn’t said a word about her real intentions, yet somehow he had seen right through her.

Since she’d already been exposed, there was no use denying it.

“Either way, you need someone to take care of you, and I just happen to owe you. Doesn’t that work out for both of us?”

Tyler narrowed his eyes. “But I don’t like being someone’s pawn.”

Rachel met his piercing gaze, and a chill ran down her spine. She’d let her guard down. A man like Tyler preferred to move others like pieces on a chessboard, not the other way around.

Rachel’s shoulders slumped. “Fine!”

If it wasn’t for her, he wouldn’t have gotten hurt.

She stretched out her hand. “Give me the QR code.”

Tyler tilted his head. “I haven’t even named a price yet. How do you know how much to pay? Besides, who just carries around a QR code?”

“You did last time,” Rachel shot back without thinking.

Tyler waved her off. “I’ll let you know once I figure out the price.”

Rachel was genuinely surprised. Did Tyler even need money?

She thought he was joking, but he was serious. Still, she really didn’t have time to waste.

“Just name your price now. I don’t like to procrastinate.”

Mainly, she didn’t want this debt hanging over her head forever.

Tyler raised an eyebrow in amusement. “Wow, someone’s in a rush to give me money. That’s new.”

Rachel didn’t know how to explain. She might as well act like a fool here. “Yeah, I’m just really eager to pay you.”

+25 BONUS

Tyler leaned in with a relaxed posture.

Even with her face smudged with grime, she still looked beautiful. Probably still shaken, there was still a hint of fear in her eyes. There was something vulnerable about her and something that stirred a quiet urge to protect.

He could even make out the pores on her skin and the flutter of her lashes.

With his usual teasing tone, he said, “Tell me, Rachel, just how rich are you?”

Rachel froze. She was caught off guard by how close he was.

She answered honestly. “Actually, I’m not rich. I just don’t like owing people favors.”

Tyler laughed again and leaned back. “You said that with such confidence earlier. I almost thought you were going to be my sugar mommy.”