Chapter_98
Sophie froze, her hand still on the doorknob, as she took in the sight before her. The room was silent except for the faint sound of Olivia’s soft breathing. Olivia lay on the bed, her hand resting on Claude’s head, and her attire—disheveled and revealing—added an uncomfortable tension to the atmosphere. Claude’s posture, leaning over her, didn’t help the situation. His head was bowed, his expression unreadable, and the distance between them was minimal.
Sophie’s eyes widened, and her mind raced. She had not expected to find them in such a compromising position, especially after the trouble Olivia had caused earlier. She felt a jolt of panic. “What… what is going on here?” Sophie stammered, trying to make sense of it.
Tyler stood behind her, his usual calm demeanor shattered. His eyes were locked on the scene in front of him, and the coldness in his gaze sent a chill through Sophie. The shock and anger were evident in his stiff posture and clenched jaw.
Tyler’s voice was sharp, though restrained. “Olivia,” he said quietly, though his tone was ice-cold, “what is happening here?”
Claude, hearing Tyler’s voice, straightened up quickly. He moved away from Olivia, almost as though trying to distance himself from the awkwardness. His face, usually composed, now betrayed a hint of discomfort. He quickly moved to cover Olivia with the blanket, making sure she was properly covered as he shifted away.
“I—I don’t know what you’re thinking,” Claude said, his voice steady but apologetic. “She’s drunk. She… she fell asleep like this. I didn’t do anything.” His eyes flicked nervously to Tyler. “I tried to get her comfortable, but she wouldn’t let go.”
Sophie, still shocked, glanced between Tyler and Claude, trying to make sense of the situation. Her voice was shaky as she spoke. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Tyler. Olivia had too much to drink. I should have stopped her sooner. I never expected this.” She was clearly struggling to regain her composure.
Tyler didn’t answer immediately, his focus still entirely on Olivia. He walked into the room and knelt beside the bed, gently brushing a strand of hair away from Olivia’s face. She was pale, still visibly affected by the alcohol. His expression softened, but the tension in the room remained thick.
After a long pause, Tyler finally spoke, his voice low and controlled, though still tinged with anger. “She’s fine. I’ll take care of her.”
Claude, feeling the weight of Tyler’s gaze, nodded and took a small step back. He felt uncomfortable, though he knew there was nothing more he could do at this point. “I didn’t want to cause any trouble. I just…” He trailed off, unsure of how to explain his part in the situation.
Sophie, sensing the growing tension, stepped forward. “Mr. Tyler, it was my fault. I let her drink too much, and she was upset… I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.” Her voice was tinged with guilt.
Tyler didn’t look at her, his focus entirely on Olivia. He carefully lifted her into his arms, his expression softening as he gently cradled her. “It’s not your fault, Sophie. But we need to take care of her now.”
With Olivia safely in his arms, Tyler turned to leave the room, but not before casting one final, icy glance at Claude. “I’ll make sure she gets home safely.”
Sophie watched them go, a mixture of relief and guilt washing over her. She had no idea what would happen next, but one thing was certain—this night had taken a turn none of them had expected.