Although Yvette didn’t know Tyler all that well, she knew influential people like him were usually particular about cleanliness.

“It’s fine,” Tyler said bluntly. “Just have one of the maids show me the way.”

Yvette’s smile froze in embarrassment, but this wasn’t the time to be self-conscious. Relationships had to be cultivated, especially when she and Tyler were practically strangers. It was normal for him to feel distant.

She quickly forced a smile again. “Mr. Hunt, the maids probably don’t know where the clothes are. It’ll be much easier if I take you myself.”

Sasha chimed in. “She’s right, Mr. Hunt. The maids still have things to take care of. Yvette has time. Let her take you upstairs.” With both of them pushing, Tyler figured there was no polite way to refuse anymore.

“Alright then. Thanks, Yvette.” His voice was still detached and impersonal.

Yvette quickly led him up the stairs. She was eager to stay by his side.

Just as the two disappeared upstairs, William walked back in from outside. Seeing the guests mostly gone, he looked around, puzzled.

“Where’s Rachel?”

Jim answered, “She’s upstairs. Mr. Hunt just went up with Yvette to change clothes. William, come here, I need to talk to you.” William hesitated before nodding. “Alright.”

Before walking away, Jim turned to Sasha. “Get someone to reheat the food.”

“I will,” Sasha replied.

Jim followed William into the study. “Sit.”

William sat with a serious expression. He already had a bad feeling. If Jim was calling him into the study, it couldn’t be anything good. Maybe it really was about what he suspected. He retrieved a cigarette from his pocket and lit it. The flickering flame cast a glow over his face.

“Dad, what did you want to talk about?”

Jim’s expression was grim. “You saw how Howard treated Rachel tonight. He was absolutely out of line. He doesn’t even pretend to respect us anymore. William, do you remember what you promised me back then? You said you’d take care of Rachel and never let her be hurt. And now look at what’s happening.”

At the mention of Howard, William’s face darkened further. He took another deep drag from his cigarette. “Dad, you know how Howard is. No one in Yurelia City dares mess with him. He’s completely unhinged.”

Jim’s jaw clenched even harder at this. “So what, then? We’re just going to let Howard bully Rachel? You want her, a woman, to go head-to-head with someone like him?”

Jim couldn’t help raising his voice. Back when William had begged to marry Rachel, his promises had sounded so convincing.

Rachel had just come out of her room. She was planning to talk to Jim about her mother’s burial expenses. She felt she ought to contribute. It was, after all, the least she could do for the woman who had raised her, even if she wasn’t her biological daughter like Yvette was. As she walked out, a maid told her Jim and William were in the study. She made her way over.

But just as she lifted her hand to knock, she heard Jim’s voice through the door. He sounded furious. She then heard the sound of things crashing to the floor.

“William, I’ve kept my mouth shut about you and Samantha from your office, but the least you could do is treat my daughter right!” Jim shouted. “Don’t forget. If I hadn’t helped cover things back then, do you really think Rachel would’ve ever married you? You pursued her for so long, and she never gave in. It wasn’t until she thought you were the one who saved her in that fire. That’s the only reason she agreed to be with you.”

Rachel’s grip on the doorknob tightened. Her face went pale.