Rachel was caught off guard by Tyler’s question and didn’t know what to say. To Rachel, her relationship with Tyler was very straightforward. It was purely transactional, and there were no feelings involved. Thinking about a breakup wasn’t even relevant in this situation. Of course, if Tyler could terminate the contract of his own accord and not pursue accountability on her end, she would be very glad with that outcome.

“I don’t suppose I can decide whether to terminate the contract. I’m the one in the passive position while you hold all the cards, Mr. Hunt.”

“Just answer the question.”

There was a chill in his deep voice, and the air around them seemed to tense up.

“I…”

“I’ll count to three. If you don’t give me an answer, I’ll take it that you don’t want a breakup.”

“No…”

“One, two, three. I got it.”

Before Rachel had the chance to say anything, Tyler was done counting down. She fell silent for a few seconds, then suddenly chuckled to herself. Tyler was unilaterally making the decision himself. He wasn’t even intending to ask her for her opinion.

Anyway, she had said whatever she wanted to say. Since Tyler didn’t want her replaced, forcing him to do it would seem a tad too pushy on her end. She smacked her thighs and stood up from the couch.

“Since you’ve thought it through, I’ll head up to get some rest if there’s nothing more.”

She winced inwardly when she felt the blood flow downwards as she stood up. As she did, Tyler grabbed her wrist.

“Rachel…”

There was an undercurrent of emotion in his voice and a tone of solemnity as he called her by her full name.

“Is there anything else?” she asked, turning to look at him.

Tyler bent over, and Rachel could smell the scent of tobacco on him, heated up by his body warmth.

“Does William know about this?”

Rachel shook her head. “No, he doesn’t.”

She knew his inclinations toward chauvinistic thinking and was worried that he might mind her past.

The knot in Tyler’s brows unraveled slightly as he smirked.

“Got it,” he said. “Go upstairs and have a good rest. Don’t overthink what has already happened. I’m not a chauvinist. I don’t care about something like this.”

Rachel blinked a few times and stood stunned for a few seconds before nodding. At that moment, as Tyler looked at her back profile, he noticed how frail and vulnerable she looked. She barely managed to gain some weight previously, yet she seemed to have lost all that in the blink of an eye.

He texted Wanda. [Buy more tonic and cook more soup these few days. Make sure the meals are nourishing.]

Wanda texted him back. [Sir, would you prefer ginseng or maca?]

Tyler furrowed his brows. Did Wanda misunderstand his request?

His phone pinged with another text from her. [Sir, I think it’s important you get sufficient rest, especially when you work so hard. It’s best you don’t overexert yourself in that regard.]

Tyler quickly typed out a message in response. [It’s not for me, but for Rachel. She’s been feeling weak recently, and her period is here. She needs some nourishment.]

[I’m so sorry for that misunderstanding, sir.]

Tyler didn’t reply to her message. Instead, he called Yale and said, almost dangerously, “Find out the name of Rachel’s homeroom teacher who threatened her in high school. Give me the answer in five minutes.”

Yale was surprised by Tyler’s sudden request but didn’t dare to say anything. “Yes, sir.”

Five minutes later, Yale’s call came.

“Found it. His name is Desmond Fallon, and he’s currently working as a security guard at a small district.”

“Chop his hands off and get rid of his filthy member. Leaving it on him is a danger to everyone.”

Tyler’s vicious words sent a shiver down Yale’s spine.

Just that man’s luck! Yale shook his head. Of all people, he just had to provoke Rachel.

Meanwhile, Rachel had just lain down on the bed upstairs when Cecilia called her.