Chapter_106
In the quiet of the room, Olivia stood a short distance from Tyler. “Yes, Tyler?” she asked, her voice calm but uncertain.
He looked at her steadily, his gaze unwavering. “Do you like him?”
The question caught her off guard. It took a moment for her to grasp who he meant. When it clicked, she shook her head quickly. “I just met him.”
Tyler didn’t look convinced. His expression remained cool, but the intensity in his eyes deepened. “You were holding his sleeve and whispering in his ear… and you just met him?”
His voice was low and firm, edged with something she couldn’t quite name—annoyance, perhaps, or disappointment.
Before she could respond, he continued, “Olivia, if you’re considering a better match, I won’t stop you. Just be honest with me. I can even help you look into him—for your sister’s sake, of course. This kind of thing… it’s important. I’d support you.”
She stared at him in disbelief. A better match? Investigate Claude? Was he being serious?
He didn’t sound angry. In fact, he seemed almost… detached, as if he were giving her advice on choosing a school or a job. That made the sting sharper somehow.
“I appreciate your concern,” Olivia replied, keeping her tone even. “But I’m still young, Tyler. I’m not thinking about that right now. If I ever do need help with it, I’ll know who to ask.”
For a second, something shifted in Tyler’s face. He tightened his grip on the phone in his hand, his knuckles white against the black case. His voice was quiet when he answered, “Alright. I understand. It’s your decision.”
The room grew colder with the weight of what wasn’t said. The silence pressed down between them like fog.
A knock broke the tension.
Olivia moved to the door. Outside stood a maid, her posture respectful. “Mr. Tyler, Ms. Olivia, the dinner party is about to start.”
With the guests gathering below, it was time to rejoin them.
Tyler responded without rising. “Alright, you go ahead.”
As the maid left, Olivia glanced back at him. “Is there anything else you want to say?”
Tyler lit a cigarette, avoiding her gaze. “You can head downstairs first.”
Taking that as her cue to leave, Olivia stepped out, closing the door gently behind her.
Tyler remained on the couch, the orange glow of his cigarette briefly lighting his face. He tapped the ash into the tray and stared toward the doorway she had just passed through.
After the dinner party, Olivia kept her interactions with both Claude and Tyler brief, polite. Whatever emotions had simmered earlier were tucked away behind practiced smiles. As the guests slowly departed, only Olivia, Tyler, and Ana remained in the residence.
Ana looked at the time and suggested warmly, “It’s getting late. You two should stay here tonight.”
It was nearing 11 PM. Tyler, who had had a few drinks entertaining guests, leaned back lazily and replied, “Okay.”
Caught off guard, Olivia said, “I have class tomorrow. I won’t be staying.”