“What, just because I helped you once yesterday, you’re trying to cling to me now?”

Rachel pursed her lips. She really couldn’t argue with that—her current behavior did look exactly like she was clinging to Tyler. Still, she should probably say something to clear this up.

“Last night was unexpected, but this photo… even if I didn’t need anything from you, I still planned to return it. I’m sure it’s important to you.”

Rachel remembered her mom mentioning once that Tyler had a tough past, which made it hard for him to trust anyone. Some wounds from the past took a lifetime to heal.

Rachel gently placed the photo on the desk, then turned around to leave, only to stop when Tyler said, “This project means a lot to you, doesn’t it? You’re just going to walk away now?”

She shrugged and smiled bitterly. “I know you don’t respond to threats, Mr. Hunt. I’ve done everything I can for this project.”

She pulled open the office door and walked out, her fingers clenched tight, heart pounding in her chest. She had thought Tyler might call her back—at least because of that photo, because he used to know her mother.

But even as the door clicked shut behind her, there was no sound from inside. No voice calling her name.

The hope she’d been holding onto dropped with a thud in her chest. It seemed she had miscalculated. Tyler wasn’t someone whose mind could easily be guessed. He didn’t play by anyone’s rules.

With a sigh of disappointment, Rachel left the building. As she reached the door, her phone buzzed with a call from Cecilia. What she heard next was the last thing she wanted to happen.

“My god, where are you? We’ve got a huge problem! Samantha took the Trinity Project from us. And did you know she saw you at LS Enterprise today?”

Rachel groaned, rubbing her forehead. “I didn’t know.”

Cecilia didn’t hold back. “That little sneak went straight to Mr. Lewis and told him…”

She switched her tone, imitating Samantha’s voice in a mocking tone, making Rachel cringe. “I saw Rachel at Mr. Hunt’s company this morning. Doesn’t she know LS Enterprise is our competitor? She can’t just waltz in there like that. People are talking. William, you need to have a word with her.”

Cecilia paused, then added, “Or maybe Rachel wants to switch companies now that she thinks I’ve secured the Oasis Project. If she’s thinking of leaving us, what about the project she’s handling?”

Cecilia groaned, then switched back to her normal voice as she continued, “Next thing you know, everyone’s whispering about you ditching us for LS Enterprise. When the team revolted against you leading the Trinity Project, Mr. Lewis gave it to Samantha.”

Rachel’s heart sank. Great, just great.

She hadn’t made any progress with Tyler, and now, not only had she failed to secure the Oasis Project, but her own work was at risk of being taken too.

“I’ll be right back!” she said, hanging up the phone.

She rushed back to the office, her mind racing. Inside, William stood at the center of the room, his sharp gaze sweeping over everyone like an eagle scanning for prey.

“Has Ms. Lloyd returned yet?” he asked, his voice cold.

One of the employees hesitantly spoke up: “Cecilia’s gone to get her.”

As Rachel reached the door, she could immediately feel the tension in the room. She took a deep breath, steeling herself.

Chapter 23

“I’m back,” she called out as she entered.

William’s face tightened. His eyes, once warm, now burned with irritation. This wasn’t the same calm man she was used to. He was genuinely angry now, and didn’t even bother to sign when he spoke to her.

“Ms. Lloyd, it’s time for our meeting with Trinity Enterprise. What were you doing at LS Enterprise? Planning to switch companies?” he said sharply.