Chapter_52
“Tyler?” Sophie seemed taken aback by the answer. She quickly asked, “Mr. Tyler Harrier?”
Sophie let out a relieved laugh. “I thought it was someone else. So it’s Mr. Tyler. Isn’t it totally normal for him to take you to school? This is all just a misunderstanding. I’ll clear your name on the forum right away.”
But just as Sophie reached for her phone, Olivia grabbed her hand, her voice shaky. Sophie stopped, confused by Olivia’s sudden change in demeanor.
“Sophie…” Olivia’s voice trembled. “Forget it. It’s nothing. Let them say whatever they want. It’s not the truth, anyway.”
Olivia wasn’t sure why she felt so guilty, but she couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that she was in a dangerous situation. The weight of those rumors was unbearable, and she feared they might consume her entirely.
“What are you talking about, Olivia?” Sophie’s tone was filled with concern. “It’ll ruin your reputation if you don’t clear this up.”
Olivia pleaded softly, “It’s really nothing, Sophie. Please… Let it go. I don’t want this to blow up.”
Sophie stared at her, baffled by her friend’s insistence. But after a moment’s hesitation, she nodded. “Alright, I’ll do as you say.”
A small sigh of relief escaped Olivia as she gently said, “Thank you. Let’s go.”
Sophie hesitated, still feeling that something was wrong, but eventually, she followed Olivia, who seemed desperate to leave the situation behind.
However, the rumors hadn’t died down. In fact, they seemed to have only grown louder as they entered the classroom. The stares felt like a weight on Olivia’s shoulders, and the whispers followed them like an inescapable storm.
“That’s her, isn’t it?”
“I think so. Look at the pictures.”
Sophie tried her best to defend Olivia. “It’s not true! Don’t spread rumors without any proof!”
But the students weren’t listening. They were too eager to believe their own imaginations.
Olivia didn’t know how she managed to get through the day. Each passing hour felt like an eternity. When she finally returned to Sandalwood Palace that evening, the maid noticed immediately that something was wrong. “Ms. Olivia, are you okay?”
Olivia, who usually offered to help in the kitchen, walked past her without a word. “I’m fine. I’m going to my room,” she said quietly, not even sparing the maid a glance as she hurried upstairs.
The maid watched her leave, confusion in her eyes.
Tyler came home late that evening. The house was unusually quiet, and when the maid approached him, he didn’t ask any questions. He simply handed her his coat with a curt nod before making his way upstairs, not wanting to engage in any conversation.
The maid opened her mouth as if to say something but closed it when she saw Tyler’s demeanor—he clearly wasn’t in the mood for talking.
As Tyler passed by Olivia’s door, he didn’t even pause.
Inside her room, Olivia was curled up on her bed, trembling. She hugged her blanket tightly around herself, the room silent except for the soft sounds of her breathing. The darkness enveloped her, offering little comfort.
She heard Tyler’s footsteps outside her door. And as the sound faded into silence, so did her control over her emotions. Silent tears slid down her cheeks as she hugged the blanket tighter, feeling more alone than ever.