Chapter_166
Olivia gripped the edge of her dress tightly. “I’m fine,” she murmured, though her voice trembled slightly.
Maddie stomped her foot in frustration, clearly incensed that Claude was fussing over Olivia instead of her.
“Excuse me?!” she shouted, expecting him to turn to her.
But Claude didn’t even glance her way. His focus remained solely on Olivia as he helped dab the hot tea off her dress with a napkin.
Realizing she was being completely ignored, Maddie scoffed, grabbed her handbag, and stormed out of the restaurant.
Olivia stood there, stunned. She hadn’t expected things to escalate so quickly. She wanted to say something, to stop Maddie from leaving—but it was already too late.
Sophie finally snapped out of her daze and hurried over. “Oh my god, are you okay?!”
Olivia could feel the sting where the hot tea had splashed her—her thighs, calves, even her abdomen burned. But she forced a weak smile. “I’m fine… B-But what about Maddie?”
She looked anxiously toward the entrance, but Claude didn’t seem fazed at all.
“Whatever. She can go wherever she wants,” he said coldly. “We’re not a good match anyway.”
Sophie raised her brows, reading the unspoken truth in his tone. Something about that statement went beyond casual indifference.
Olivia, however, didn’t catch the nuance. She remained focused on Maddie’s abrupt departure. “No, really—you should go after her! I’ll go home with Sophie. I’m okay, I swear.”
But Claude gently took her hand. “She doesn’t matter right now. Let me take a look at your injuries—”
Olivia flinched at his touch.
Claude paused, then corrected himself. “Actually, never mind. Let’s get you to a doctor.”
Despite her protests, Claude insisted on driving her. As they walked out together, he glanced at her side. “Should we put ice on it? Is it getting worse?”
Sophie followed behind, arms crossed. “Just get her to a doctor, okay? Don’t fuss so much.”
The weight in her voice wasn’t lost on either of them. A quiet tension fell over the group.
Claude nodded. “Right.”
“Hmph. This really rattled you, huh?” Sophie teased, casting him a knowing look as she slid into the backseat.
Claude didn’t respond. He kept his eyes on the road, his silence louder than any words.
At the hospital, the doctor carefully examined Olivia. “She’s alright, but the burns on her abdomen are more serious than they look. She’ll need topical treatment right away.”
Olivia blinked in surprise. “Wait—serious?”
“Yes. You’re lucky it wasn’t worse. But it’s important to start using healing cream immediately.”
Claude, visibly tense, leaned forward. “She doesn’t need to be hospitalized, right?”
The doctor chuckled gently. “No, that’s not necessary. But she can rest here for a while. We’ll get you some ice packs.”
Claude exhaled in relief. “Thanks.”
He turned to his sister. “Sophie, could you grab some ice?”
Sophie rolled her eyes playfully but understood. “Sure. I’ll give you two some space.”
She walked off, a smirk on her lips, leaving Claude and Olivia alone in the quiet of the treatment room.