Chapter 227

Time seemed to stand still.

Rachel took a deep breath and stared at William.

A moment later, William finally spoke—patiently, almost gently.

“Rachel, I know you don’t feel very comfortable about the rumors spreading in the office, but Samantha’s mother is still receiving treatment in the hospital. You know the marketing and sales department well. A newcomer wouldn’t be treated very well there. She needs money right now. Transferring Samantha there would be akin to sending her to her doom.”

Rachel could tell that William was very patiently explaining things to her. He would rather spend time patiently explaining this to her than ask if she was injured.

She nodded understandingly, as if she had accepted his explanation.

“Okay, I got it. You don’t need to explain so much. I know Ms. Judd’s situation is rather complex.” She shrugged and went on, “I was just making a casual remark. You don’t need to take it so seriously.”

William nodded. “Stay at home for the time being. Things are really messy out there, so you shouldn’t head out for now.”

Rachel took another deep breath.

“How do you intend to deal with it?”

She wanted to hear from William.

Thinking of that, William rubbed the bridge of his nose.

“Things are getting complicated. We’re thinking of clearing your name, since your face wasn’t captured in the photos and only your side and back profiles can be seen. Reporters may have seen you there, but if they didn’t manage to capture your face, it can’t be considered concrete evidence. We can always say that Tyler went to the bar with another woman. As a single man, it’s a completely acceptable explanation. Also, we need to appear more frequently as a couple. Rumors are spreading online that our marriage is in trouble. To quell those rumors, we have to show them that we’re still a loving couple.”

Rachel’s head buzzed; she could feel a bitter taste in her mouth.

Had her relationship with William deteriorated to the point of them needing to put on an act to keep their marriage alive?

William sensed something amiss in Rachel’s expression and crouched down to sign to her.

“What’s the matter? Is there something wrong? Or do you have a question in mind? Just tell me what your thoughts are, don’t worry.”

Rachel arched her brow and said indifferently, “Nothing.”

“Okay,” William said as he surveyed Rachel from head to toe. That was when he noticed her clothes. “This doesn’t look like what you wore that day. It doesn’t even look like an outfit you own."

William’s gaze made Rachel exceedingly uncomfortable, as though he was trying to see through her.

It felt very invasive.

Rachel could have guessed that this would happen. William was with her when she bought her clothes. How could he not know that this outfit didn’t belong to her?

The gears in her mind shifted rapidly. How should she explain to William where her clothes came from?

William saw the hesitation in her eyes and fixed his gaze on her. His tone that softened just a moment earlier tensed up again.

“What, can’t you even tell me where you got these clothes from?”

Sweat dripped down Rachel’s back.