Chapter_95
Claude, though clearly enjoying the attention, seemed to take it all in stride with his easygoing charm. He smiled and politely engaged with the girls, but his focus was always on Sophie, who was clearly thrilled to have her older brother there.
Olivia, standing slightly off to the side, observed the scene. Sophie was in her element, confidently interacting with everyone, while Claude exuded a relaxed energy that drew people in. It was evident that he was accustomed to being the center of attention, but there was a grounded quality to him that kept the conversation light and friendly.
Olivia felt a little out of place, as though she were an outsider in a world of wealth and social circles she didn’t quite fit into. She wasn’t sure why she had agreed to come to the party in the first place; it wasn’t her scene, and now, as she watched the interactions unfold around her, she felt more like a spectator than a participant.
Sophie soon noticed Olivia standing alone and called her over with a wave. “Olivia! Come join us, don’t just stand there. You’re part of the group tonight too!”
Reluctantly, Olivia made her way over to Sophie and Claude, who greeted her with warm smiles.
“Come on, sit down,” Sophie urged, pulling Olivia into the conversation. “Claude, tell Olivia about your time in the mountains. I’m sure she’ll love hearing your stories!”
Claude chuckled, shaking his head. “There’s not much to tell. It was a bit of a retreat, really—some quiet time to reflect and recharge. You know, nothing too exciting. I spent most of my time working on a few projects and helping out in the local community.”
Olivia, who was more interested in hearing about Claude as a person than his adventures in the mountains, smiled politely but didn’t know how to continue the conversation. She wasn’t used to small talk and felt the silence stretch between them for a moment.
Sophie, ever the social butterfly, quickly picked up on Olivia’s discomfort and steered the conversation in a new direction. “Claude, tell Olivia about your plans for the future. You’ve been away for a while, so what’s next for you?”
Claude leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. “Well, now that I’ve had some time to relax, I’m looking to rejoin the family business. I’ve been away for a while, and I think it’s time to help out with the company again. My father’s getting older, and it’s time for me to step up.”
Olivia listened intently, her curiosity piqued. It was clear that Claude had a lot of responsibility waiting for him back home. She had heard about his family’s wealth and their business empire, but hearing him talk about it gave her a new perspective.
Sophie, noticing Olivia’s interest, continued to prod. “Claude’s been involved with the family business since he was young, but now he’s thinking of taking the reins. It’s a big deal, right?”
Claude nodded, his tone serious. “It’s a lot to take on, but it’s something I’ve been preparing for. I’m ready for it.” He glanced at Olivia, his smile returning. “But enough about me. How about you, Olivia? What are your plans?”
Olivia, caught off guard by the question, hesitated. “I… I’m not sure yet,” she admitted. “I’ve been focused on school and other things, but I’m still figuring out what I want to do.”
Claude nodded thoughtfully, his expression understanding. “I know the feeling. It’s tough to decide what path to take, but it’s all part of growing up.”
The conversation flowed more easily after that. Olivia found herself slowly relaxing, especially with Claude’s easygoing demeanor making it easier for her to open up. She wasn’t used to being around people like him—people who seemed to have everything figured out, but Claude’s humility made her feel more at ease.
As the night wore on, Olivia began to enjoy herself more, though she still wasn’t fully comfortable in the bustling environment. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing, that she was still disconnected from the lively party atmosphere.