Chapter 744

Rachel wrapped her arms around Tyler.

“It’s okay. Family isn’t something you need to have. There’s nothing wrong with you. They just don’t deserve to be called your family. From now on, I’m your family. You’ve got me, Ray, and Wanda. We’ll all be here with you.”

At that moment, Tyler felt something break through his defenses and settle inside him, filling the void that had been there for years.

Two hours later, Yale brought Anne back.

“Mr. Hunt, is Ms. Charlton staying at our hotel?”

“Yeah. Go ahead and get her checked in.”

Yale looked a little uneasy. “I asked at the front desk when we came in. Every room’s already booked. Since there was an incident at Anne’s previous hotel, no one wants to stay there anymore. Everyone’s moved over here.”

Tyler rubbed his temples.

Anne seemed anxious as she stepped forward and grabbed his arm. “Tyler, you can’t just abandon me! You’re the only person I know here.”

Tyler lowered his gaze. Without a flicker of expression, he pried her hand off his arm.

“Anne, don’t say that. No matter what, we’re friends, and maybe one day we’ll even be business partners. You don’t have to worry.”

Anne stared in disbelief as he pushed her hand away, putting distance between them. Just the other day at the bar, he hadn’t acted like this at all.

His sudden change in attitude caught her completely off guard.

“Tyler, you said you’d think about it.”

“I’ve thought it through. Anne, if you’re fine with the contract, we’ll sign. If not, maybe we’ll work together another time.”

Anne’s heart was shattered. Tears welled up in her eyes.

“Tyler, how can you be so fickle? That’s not what you said before! Do you know how much hope I put into your words? I was even picturing what life with you would look like! And now, you’re just rejecting me like this? Is it because of what I said in the elevator? Did that hurt you?”

“No. From the beginning, I only ever saw you as a friend. Nothing more,” Tyler replied.

He stood tall in a light gray suit, tie neatly in place, black hair brushed back. His sharp features gave him a cold, cutting presence.

Anne clenched her fists tightly. Heedless of the fresh bandages on her hands, she cried, “You’re lying to me, aren’t you? You’ve been lying this whole time!”

Tears streamed down her cheeks as her voice broke.

Standing to the side, Rachel felt awkward. Maybe it was guilt. Her relationship with Tyler wasn’t exactly a real romance, but aside from that contract, they had ticked everything off the list of things that couples did.

Yale approached Anne. “Ms. Charlton, please calm down. Mr. Hunt has already been clear with you. This is something both sides chose.”

Anne covered her face, sobbing. Suddenly, she turned and bolted.

“Ms. Charlton…” Rachel called after her.

Tyler rubbed his forehead. “Let her cool off.”

“Cool off? If something happens, that’s on us. We can’t take that risk. We need to go after her.”

With that, Rachel grabbed Tyler’s arm.

When Yale saw them both heading out, he hurried to follow.