Chapter 473 +15 BONUS

“You’re always like that when you speak, hovering between truths and uncertainties. I never know when you’re being serious,” Rachel said self-righteously.

She just couldn’t figure him out.

Sometimes, his words felt genuine, but they ended up being a tease. At other times, his words sounded like a joke, but they were meant to be taken seriously.

Tyler hooked an arm around Rachel’s waist, pinching her gently there. His public display of affection made her feel awkward.

“Between us, who’s the one speaking uncertainties? Don’t you know the answer to that?”

Tyler’s warm lips brushed against Rachel’s earlobes, sending a chill down her spine.

She instinctively tried to avoid Tyler’s approach and looked warily at Xavier. Thankfully, Xavier’s attention wasn’t on them.

Being with Tyler felt dangerous. Rachel felt that she had to be on her guard all the time. Tyler might think nothing of it, but she couldn’t get used to living this way.

She whispered to him, “I didn’t realize how clingy you could get. Where did your cool and aloof image disappear to?”

She clearly remembered that in the past, Tyler felt like a force to be reckoned with, no matter where he was and with whom.

Yet now, he seemed like nothing but a lovesick teenager to her.

Rachel wanted to leave as quickly as she could, but because of her injury down there, it hurt whenever she tried to walk faster. Tyler caught up with her in two long strides.

Xavier sat back in his chair and prescribed the ointment for Rachel before informing Tyler, “I’ll go grab the ointment with you. Someone will come and apply it for Rachel.”

“Would that be…”

“A woman, yes.” Xavier answered Tyler’s question before he was done asking it, the exasperation clear in his eyes.

Even Rachel was getting annoyed. She tugged at the hem of Tyler’s shirt. “Can you please restrain yourself? Do you like role-playing that much?”

Tyler spread his palms, a smug look on his face. “Do I need to role-play?”

Rachel rolled her eyes at him, refusing to say a word further.

Xavier, unable to stand it any longer, said huffily, “Go away. You’re not the only one with a girlfriend around here. Other men probably have had more relationships than you.”

In response, Tyler started waxing lyrical about his thoughts on relationships.

“What do you know? Quality over quantity is what matters in relationships. Some people have such low standards in their partners. How can you compare them to me?”

Xavier waved his hand dismissively. “I wonder if your mother is turning in her grave, seeing you like this.”

Tyler threw Xavier a careless glance. “Do you want me to ask my mom to talk to you in your dream?”

Xavier shivered. “Probably not. I don’t want to be all groggy and distracted at work the next day.”

The two men stood at the dispensary, waiting for the ointment.

Xavier changed the subject. “Isn’t your father’s birthday celebration in two days’ time? She doesn’t know that you’re William’s uncle, does she?"

“She’d jump for joy if she found out,” Tyler said.

Xavier scoffed. “Do you seriously think you know her very well? For all you know, she might be pissed at you for not telling her the truth earlier.”

Tyler looked coldly at Xavier. “In addition to drinking more chamomile tea, I think you need to eat more walnuts.”

“You…” Xavier sputtered. “You’re beyond rude and insolent!”

“Think about it. If I told her the truth, given her character, would she want to marry into the Lewis family again?”

Xavier pondered over Tyler’s words.