Chapter_10
Sophie’s father, David Pearce, rose promptly from his seat, his tone apologetic. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Tyler. My daughter said she’d bring a classmate along, but they were delayed by traffic. I hope you won’t mind.”
Tyler, ever the gentleman, gave a polite smile. “Not at all. It’s always good to have some younger people at the table to liven up the atmosphere.”
He turned toward Olivia and beckoned her over. “Come here, Olivia.”
She hesitated for a moment, still caught in the shock of the situation, then walked toward the round table, calling out his name quietly. “Tyler.”
Before David could fully process what was happening, Tyler had already moved toward Olivia, standing beneath the grand chandelier with an air of satisfaction.
Tyler introduced her to the guests seated around the table with a slight gesture. “This is Olivia, Naomi’s sister.”
At the mention of Naomi, the Harris family’s future daughter-in-law, the connections clicked into place.
David Pearce finally realized the connection. Sophie’s classmate wasn’t just any student—she was Jacob’s girlfriend. A subtle shift occurred in his demeanor, and he quickly turned to Tyler. “Shall I get a chair for Olivia?”
Tyler set down his wine glass and nodded without hesitation.
David called an attendant to bring a chair, which was placed next to Jacob. Olivia’s pulse quickened as the seat was arranged.
Tyler’s secretary began pouring wine for everyone, but Tyler paused, his gaze landing on the arrangement.
David, unaware of the tension his seating choice caused, looked at Tyler expectantly. “Is this arrangement alright?”
Tyler glanced up, his expression unreadable. “It’s fine.” His voice was flat, but there was something cold in it that didn’t escape Olivia’s notice.
As the rest of the guests seated themselves, the lunch began. Jacob, sitting beside Olivia, gave a warm, albeit somewhat forced, smile. “Olivia, what would you like to eat?”
Olivia remained silent, her gaze fixed on the table, avoiding his.
Jacob, trying again, asked with a hint of concern, “Would you like some juice?”
Still, no response. Jacob, ever the gentleman in public, recognized the tension in the air and chose not to press further.
David, sensing an opportunity to boast, spoke up. “Mr. Tyler, Jacob is an exceptional young man. He’s always ranked at the top of his class, majoring in finance. He’ll be graduating soon, and I was hoping you might consider taking him under your wing, perhaps offering him some recommendations.”
Tyler, unfazed, gave a polite nod. “If Mr. David speaks so highly of him, I’m sure he’s exceptional. A recommendation would be the least I could do.”
Jacob rose, lifting his glass with a charismatic yet humble air. “A toast to you, Mr. Tyler.” He tilted his glass back and drank deeply, a slight tremor in his hands betraying his nerves.
Olivia’s stomach twisted with anxiety. She knew Jacob couldn’t hold his liquor. This kind of socializing wasn’t his strength.
Meanwhile, Tyler, seated across from them, observed the scene with an indifferent expression. His attention was still on Jacob’s grand gesture, but his mind seemed elsewhere. He spoke briefly to his secretary, “Make sure it gets done.”
David, not expecting Tyler’s quick agreement, looked taken aback. “Thank you, Mr. Tyler,” he stammered, clearly relieved.
Olivia’s hands gripped the edge of the table, her knuckles turning white. Her thoughts raced, trying to make sense of Tyler’s intentions, but the confusion only deepened.
Jacob, now visibly flushed, filled his glass again, his voice thick with emotion. “Thank you so much, Mr. Tyler.”
Tyler’s tone was calm, measured. “No need to thank me. Focus on your studies, Jacob. You have a promising future ahead of you.”
Jacob gave a respectful nod, his cheeks rosy, his eyes filled with optimism. He turned to Olivia, his gaze full of warmth. “Olivia, I—”
But Olivia couldn’t meet his eyes. Instead, she focused on Tyler across the table, whose gaze met hers with a flicker of something unreadable.
The room buzzed with conversation, but Olivia felt suffocated by the weight of it all. Her emotions were a tangled mess, her thoughts spinning out of control.
Tyler remained silent, his glass untouched. As the lunch continued, he stayed aloof, while others engaged in casual chatter, not daring to address his stillness. When the meal ended, Tyler rose, his exit drawing a crowd of people eager to speak with him.
However, just as Tyler was about to leave the hotel, he noticed a commotion by the entrance. He turned his attention to see Sophie dragging Olivia away, while Jacob trailed behind them, his expression frantic.
“Olivia, can we talk?” Jacob called out as he caught up to her, grabbing her hands gently.
Olivia froze, her chest tightening. She turned to face him, but her eyes were brimming with unshed tears.
Seeing her distress, Jacob’s expression faltered. “What’s wrong? Olivia, you can tell me anything. We’ll get through it together, okay?”
Tyler, from the car, observed the emotional scene unfolding outside. He watched Olivia struggle to keep her emotions in check as Jacob cupped her face with his hands, pleading with her.
But then, in a flash, Olivia jerked away from Jacob’s touch, her body stiff with shock. She couldn’t face him—not now. She needed to leave.
Frantically, she scanned the surroundings for an escape, for any way out of this mess.
Tyler, understanding her unspoken distress, signaled to his secretary. The man quickly approached Olivia.
“Ms. Olivia,” he said quietly, “Mr. Tyler has offered you a ride.”
Relief washed over Olivia. It felt like a lifeline. “Yes, please,” she replied, her voice strained.
Jacob tried to speak, but Olivia didn’t turn to him. She simply walked past him, entering Tyler’s car without a second glance. Sophie, ever the silent observer, followed suit, and the car drove off, leaving Jacob standing behind them.
As Olivia looked out the window, her heart felt heavy. She watched Jacob shrink into the distance, feeling devastated by everything that had just unfolded.
Then, from the back seat, Tyler’s voice broke the silence, low and flat. “What’s wrong? Can’t bear to leave him?”