Chapter 13 Rachel knew going to the hospital wasn't an option . What if the media caught sight of her like this - disheveled , drugged , with Tyler , William's biggest rival , of all people ? The scandal would spread through their circles before midnight . It didn't matter that Howard had spiked her drink . That spoiled heir would twist the story , claiming she had seduced him . And the Lewis family ? They would gladly throw her to the wolves rather than clash with the equally powerful Ziegler family . Slumped in the bathtub , Rachel shuddered . The icy water bit into her skin but did nothing to douse the fire raging inside her . If anything , it made it worse - the cold sharpening her awareness of every unbearable inch of heat . Her head spun ; her body ached . She knew exactly how desperate her situation had become . If it were Howard , she would rather drag them both to hell than surrender . But if it was Tyler … He was … tolerable . Better than the headlines screaming " Socialite Found Dead After Overdose " . Just the thought of that happening was terrifying . Two warring voices battled in her mind , one telling her to ask Tyler for help , while the other told her no . Tyler seemed impervious to women - all cold detachment and sharp suits . What if he really preferred men ? Yet , compared to the other outcomes … one night with him was the simplest solution . Rachel's marriage to William had been a hollow shell for years . She wasn't some blushing virgin clinging to virtue - not when he had shattered their vows first . After thinking it through , Rachel slowly turned towards Tyler , who was sitting on the sofa outside and looking at his phone . " Mr. Hunt , could you help me ? " Rachel didn't need a mirror to know how pathetic she looked right now . She was actually begging a man to sleep with her . But compared to William or Howard , she would rather it be Tyler . At least he didn't seem like the type to cling to her afterward . For a split second , surprise flickered in his dark eyes . He paused , the cigarette in his fingers hovering near the table as the overhead light cast shadows over his sharp features . " Help you with what ? " he asked . Rachel met his gaze , embarrassed . Was a grown man like him really playing innocent ? Her nails dug into her palms as she awkwardly said , " You know … help me with this . " Tyler rested his chin on his hand , watching her with dark , unreadable eyes . There she was - flushed , desperate , barely holding herself together in the bathtub - while he looked completely at ease , like a spectator enjoying the show . The contrast was almost laughable . Then , as if he hadn't heard her clearly , he tilted his head and asked louder , " Help you with what ? " For a brief moment , Rachel wanted to slap herself . Howard was vile , but Tyler wasn't any better . One was a spoiled heir who trampled over people because his family enabled him , while the other was an impenetrable fortress - cold , calculating , and utterly controlled . The drug's effects kept growing stronger , and beads of sweat formed on her forehead as she fought to maintain composure . She refused to completely fall apart in front of Tyler . She was sure if that happened , he would only mock her . ! Finally , her pride won out , and her tense body relaxed slightly . " Never mind . Just lend me your phone . I'll call someone . " Chapter 13 +25 BONUS At this point , anyone would do . Instead of handing it over , Tyler raised an eyebrow and asked , " Who ? William ? I doubt he has the strength to help you with this now . ' " No. I can ask Caleb for help . " Tyler let out a derisive laugh . " Great plan . Have William's best friend ' help ' you , then watch them beat each other bloody later . One dead , one hospitalized . Perfect . " Rachel frowned . Caleb wasn't like that at all . Unlike William's other friends , he actually respected her - no ulterior motives , just genuine friendship . Caleb had connections . He could probably find her someone safe . She needed relief , yes , but she also needed to survive this night . If only Tyler wasn't being so difficult , she wouldn't need to be going through so much trouble . " If you're worried about the Lewis family causing problems , I … I can pay you , " she said . Rachel understood his hesitation . After all , Tyler's company and William's were bitter rivals in the business world . If word of this got out , Rachel wasn't the only one who would be in trouble . The Lewis family would make Tyler their target and use this scandal against him . Tyler's expression darkened , his dominant presence filling the room until the air itself felt charged . Rachel tensed ; she was poking a sleeping lion here . " Fine , " he said abruptly . " But my rates are quite high , Mrs. Lewis . Can you afford me ? " Rachel mentally calculated her bank balance before asking , " What's your price ? " A man like Tyler didn't come cheap . If he ever sold his services , he would be the most expensive escort in the city . " How much do you have ? " he countered without hesitation . " Two million ? " She'd recently sold the wedding dress William designed for her , which helped her recover a bit financially . For one night , two million was beyond generous . It was top - tier escort pricing . Tyler's lips curled in amusement . " That's all ? " Rachel's mouth fell open slightly . What did he think he was made of ? Solid gold ? The effect of the drugs had reached their peak , making her thoughts turn murky and her body burn with need . Every nerve screamed for contact . Right now , she would probably react to any man like a beached fish finally reaching water . Too exhausted to keep negotiating , Rachel gripped the bathtub's edge and hauled herself up . If he wouldn't help , she would find someone else anyone . The hallway outside probably had someone ; they would do . Her shaky hand barely turned the doorknob when an arm hooked around her waist , yanking her back . Tyler pulled her flush against his chest with one arm while stubbing out his cigarette with the other . His dark eyes scanned her flushed face as he said , " We were in the middle of negotiating . Who taught you to quit before closing the deal ? " Rachel barely processed his words . The moment their bodies touched , every nerve in her body lit up with desperate need . But what surprised her more was the heat radiating from him - a raw , masculine energy that seemed to resonate with her own . She looked up at him in surprise . " You … ? " " Congratulations . You win , " he said , his voice dropping to a rough whisper . 2/3 Chapter 13 Rachel's brows knitted together . " I was just discussing prices . I wasn't seducing you . " +25 BONUS His arm tightened around her waist , pulling her closer . " We've agreed on the price . Why are you playing innocent now ? Are you doing this on purpose ? " Rachel's cheeks burned . " Your price … was too high . I can't afford it , " she breathed , the words barely audible . The mixture of innocence and frustration in her voice amused him " Fine . I'll give you a discount . " Her eyes flickered with hope . " How much ? " " Depends on your performance , " he said , fingers already working open his shirt buttons . Rachel's gaze snagged on his throat , watching his sharp Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed . Something about it was unbearably erotic . This was her first time being so close to a near - stranger , and her nerves were firing wildly . Tyler's body was undeniably impressive . He had defined muscles and eight - pack abs - everything about him radiated raw masculinity . But then , a sliver of doubt sliced through the haze of her mind . She opened her mouth to say she had changed her mind- Knock . Knock . Tyler's gaze darkened at the sound . Rachel was confused , then she heard someone shouting from outside . " Rachel ! " Her mind went blank with a sudden jolt - that voice … It was William !