Chapter_208
Claude’s voice on the phone was calm but firm. “Can you tell me the buildings you see around you?”
But Olivia didn’t answer.
Instead, she silently ended the call and powered off her phone.
By the time Claude found her, she was sitting on a stone bench tucked behind one of the mall’s side gardens. She didn’t look up when he approached—just sat there, empty, distant, her gaze fixed on the ground.
“I heard from Soof,” Claude said gently. “She said there was a misunderstanding.”
Olivia blinked, startled Sophie had already reached out to him. Still, she said nothing.
Seeing her like this—so quiet, so unlike herself—Claude’s expression grew serious. “What happened between you two?”
But Olivia just kept staring at her feet, her hands folded tightly in her lap. She looked small, not in stature, but in spirit—like someone who had been hollowed out.
Claude didn’t press her. After a long moment, he extended his hand. “Come on. Let’s leave this place.”
Olivia didn’t move.
So Claude bent slightly and gently took her hand, helping her to her feet.
Just then, the sound of a car pulling up made them both turn.
A sleek black vehicle came to a stop nearby. Tyler stepped out the moment it parked, his expression unreadable. He spotted Claude holding Olivia’s arm but didn’t react immediately.
Before either man could speak, the maid jumped out from the passenger side and rushed over. “Ma’am!” she cried.
Claude immediately let go of Olivia’s hand.
Hearing the maid’s voice, Olivia turned in surprise and saw Tyler standing near the car. Her expression shifted faintly as she pulled her hand away.
An uneasy silence fell over the group.
The maid reached Olivia’s side and, clearly agitated, scolded softly, “You’re pregnant. How can you be out here alone? What if something happened to you?”
Claude stiffened. His gaze snapped to Olivia, stunned. “Pregnant?”
Olivia didn’t answer. She stared at the ground again, lips trembling, her complexion suddenly pale. She bit her lip hard, but said nothing.
Tyler’s cold eyes never left Claude. There was no warmth or familiarity in his gaze—just controlled hostility.
Neither man spoke until Tyler took a slow step forward and addressed Olivia. “Get in, Olivia.”
She hesitated, but eventually moved—reluctantly, like a marionette. Her movements were stiff, like her limbs no longer belonged to her.
Claude watched her walk toward Tyler and thought she looked more like someone being led than someone making a choice.
Tyler opened the door for her and helped her in, his actions smooth and deliberate.
Claude’s hands clenched at his sides, his knuckles cracking as rage and disbelief brewed beneath his calm exterior.
“You really have no shame, do you?” Claude said coldly. “This is low, even for you.”
Tyler didn’t flinch. He adjusted the door and looked at Claude with a faint smirk. “Is that so? Since when do you care so much? You didn’t before.”
Claude’s jaw tightened. He took a step forward but stopped himself.
Tyler, ever composed, met his gaze evenly before lowering his voice with deliberate weight. “She’s my wife now. If you don’t want trouble between our families, you’d better learn to behave… brother-in-law.”
Claude’s expression darkened as Tyler guided the door shut, his parting words hanging heavy in the air.
The car pulled away, leaving Claude alone in the wind.