Chapter 356
The staff quietly left after turning on the TV for Olivia. But she wasn’t interested in the screen’s flickering images. Instead, she reached for the magazines scattered on the table, hoping to pass the time.
Just as her fingers touched a glossy cover, a familiar voice called softly from the other VIP room.
“Olivia.”
The voice froze her in place. She slowly turned, her heart tightening at the sight of Sophie approaching, her expression unusually serious — a look Olivia had never seen on her before.
“Olivia,” Sophie began, her tone heavy, “you and Claude—”
Olivia’s chest clenched at the words.
Sophie’s voice dropped to a whisper, filled with urgency. “Do you realize you’re betraying your marriage by getting involved with Claude? If our families find out, it will cause a storm.”
Sophie’s panic was genuine. She had always cared for Olivia like a sister and felt the weight of the situation deeply.
“Sophie, it’s not what you think,” Olivia hurried to explain.
But Sophie’s gaze was filled with doubt. She’d seen enough to question Olivia’s words.
“We’re good friends, Olivia. I’m telling you this for your own good. Why are you lying to me?”
“I’m not, Soof. We really aren’t like that.”
Olivia stood, her voice firm but tinged with desperation as she tried to clarify.
Yet Sophie’s disappointment was palpable. “What were you doing with Claude then? Am I mistaken? You two have definitely crossed a line.”
Olivia clenched her fists, feeling trapped. How could she convince Sophie of the truth? The memory of that day played over in her mind, but explaining it seemed impossible.
Helplessness overwhelmed her.
Sophie’s voice softened, but her words were sharp. “Olivia, I’d support you dating Claude if you weren’t married to Mr. Tyler. But you are—and yet, you’re flirting with Claude. Do you understand the ties between the Harris and Pearce families? Claude was engaged to Morgan—Mr. Tyler’s sister. Do you realize what this means?”
Olivia’s face paled, fully understanding the dangerous implications.
Sensing Olivia’s hesitation, Sophie pressed on. “Their relationship was legitimate, even if they never married. Claude is considered the Harris family’s son-in-law. Do you know what people will say if you’re involved with him now?”
Olivia’s lips pressed tightly together. The weight of Sophie’s words sank deep.
Sophie’s concern was pure—there were no hidden motives behind her warnings. She simply wanted to protect both Claude and Olivia.
Before Olivia could respond, a sudden thud at the door startled them both.
They turned to find a staff member standing there, holding a fruit plate. The staffer’s eyes widened in surprise as she caught sight of the two women, frozen in their tense conversation.