Chapter 21

“How can I help you, Mr. Hunt?”

“Bring me tomorrow’s schedule report.”

“Sure,” the receptionist said, ready to hang up the phone.

Rachel, feeling desperate, quickly grabbed the phone from her. “Hello, Mr. Hunt, this is Rachel. Can I please meet with you?”

The receptionist gave her a sharp look. “What are you doing?!”

Rachel held the phone tighter and called out urgently, “Tyler!”

The receptionist rolled her eyes. Was this woman serious? Did she think she could call Tyler by name like that and get what she wanted? Unfortunately for her, that tactic wouldn’t work!

The receptionist grabbed the phone back and explained, “Don’t worry about this, Mr. Hunt. I was just about to call security.”

“Let her come up.”

The receptionist stared, speechless. She clicked the phone off and muttered, “Fine, go up.”

Rachel let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. Her palms were sweaty, but she was determined. If she could just get Tyler to agree to secure the Oasis Project for her, she could finally walk away with peace of mind.

She reached Tyler’s office and was about to knock, but the door was already slightly open. She quietly pushed it open, and what she saw stopped her in her tracks.

Tyler was sitting behind his desk, but he wasn’t alone. A woman was leaning against the desk, her curves accentuated by the cling of her red dress. Her voluminous chestnut curls cascaded over one shoulder, and she spoke in a low, sultry voice. She was clearly flirting with Tyler.

“Mr. Hunt, why won’t you look at me? It’s been a few days, don’t you miss me?”

Tyler didn’t even glance up from the contract he was signing.

“No, now move. You’re blocking my light,” he replied coldly, without a hint of emotion.

“Pfft.”

Rachel couldn’t help it–a laugh escaped her before she could stop it. Her laugh was loud and sudden in the quiet office. As both Tyler and the woman turned to look at her, Rachel immediately realized how awkward she had just made the moment.

“Sorry, I… the door was open. You can continue. I’ll wait outside,” she quickly apologized.

She tried to sneak out, but Tyler’s voice stopped her.

“Didn’t you just ask if I missed you? She’s the one I’ve missed,” he said as he pointed lazily toward the door, where Rachel stood.

The woman’s gaze immediately turned cold. She straightened up, her eyes scanning Rachel from head to toe, clearly unimpressed.

“Really? You like this… plain woman? What’s so special about her? She’s got a body like a stick, and her face is nothing to write home about.”

Rachel furrowed her brow. What was going on? Why was Tyler using her like this? And what was up with the woman’s attitude? Was she seriously looking at her like that? With disdain?

Normally, Rachel wouldn’t care, but something about the way this woman was looking at her stirred something inside her. She wasn’t the most stunning woman in the world, but she didn’t think she was ugly either. At least, she stood out in a crowd. Today, she wore a pink blazer over a red silk mermaid skirt. Her makeup was simple but striking, giving her a cool, almost untouchable vibe. The gold earrings she wore sparkled in the light, completing the look.

Rachel walked confidently over to the woman. Her presence was just as strong as the other woman’s, even though their body types were completely different.

Rachel crossed her arms and tilted her chin up slightly. “Yeah, I may look ordinary. But, look at you–so beautiful, yet he doesn’t even spare you a second glance. Bet that doesn’t sit well with you, does it?”