Chapter 367
Tyler glanced at the newspaper on the table but quickly averted his eyes, his voice calm yet distant. “He’s probably just an important friend of Olivia’s.”
Keith shot him a sharp look. “A friend? What kind of friend gets that close to her?”
Tyler remained silent for a moment, seemingly without a response.
Finally, he said, “I’ll take care of this.”
Keith pressed on, “The story’s still front page news. How exactly do you plan to handle it?”
He glanced at Tyler again, but seeing his son had rushed home immediately, he held his tongue.
That morning, Naomi unfolded the newspaper and froze. “Olivia?”
She couldn’t believe her eyes.
Hillary noticed her daughter’s reaction and snatched the paper, frowning as she scanned the details.
“How could this happen, Mom?” Naomi asked, panic edging her voice as she reached for her phone.
“Don’t call Tyler just yet,” Hillary warned, gripping Naomi’s hand tightly.
Naomi looked up, confused.
Hillary’s gaze remained fixed on the blurry image of the man beside Olivia. “That’s Pearce.”
Naomi squinted at the picture, uncertain at first, but the resemblance to Claude was unmistakable.
She frowned.
A small smile touched Hillary’s lips. “That’s good. Olivia knows Claude Pearce. This actually works in our favor.”
Naomi relaxed slightly, curiosity taking over. “What do you mean?”
“Olivia and Tyler are expecting a child to protect you, but they aren’t truly married. She’s free to be with anyone she chooses.”
“But now it’s a scandal,” Naomi said, concerned.
Hillary shook her head. “Ana has shot herself in the foot. Olivia did nothing wrong. Ana’s public attempt to trap her has backfired. In just two days, Ana’s been the one who suffered the most.”
Hillary’s voice brimmed with relief. “Naomi, even fate is on your side.”
Naomi felt a wave of calm wash over her.
Hillary squeezed her shoulder gently. “Olivia is a good girl—thoughtful and kind. I misjudged her,” she admitted sincerely.
Naomi’s face still carried worry. “She’s my sister. This could seriously affect her future. She’s still so young.”
Back at the Harris residence, Ana’s fury boiled over. That morning, she slapped a maid sharply—her voice echoing through the halls.
Even Tyler and Keith, downstairs, heard the commotion.
The maid burst into tears. “Ma’am, why did you slap me?”
Ana snapped, “Are you all deaf? I asked for a glass of water. Didn’t you hear? Are you ignoring me?”
“I really didn’t hear you. But you shouldn’t hit me for it,” the maid sobbed quietly.
Keith’s expression darkened, disturbed by his wife’s harshness.
Tyler said nothing, accustomed to Ana’s temper.
Ana’s anger wasn’t truly about the maid’s mistake—it was the storm outside that consumed her.
She had invested so much into Olivia, nurturing her to be a perfect Mrs. Harris. Yet now, Olivia had become the subject of scandal and ridicule.
Anger churned within Ana throughout the night, burning hotter by the hour.
The maid’s soft crying continued as Maisy entered and overheard the scene. Her face tightened in concern.
Keith ignored the tension and walked away.
Maisy called after him, “Keith, Ana is going through menopause. Please talk to her.”
“Her problems are self-inflicted,” Keith snapped back. “Why should I bother?”
Ana had chosen Olivia as her daughter-in-law and now faced the consequences—helpless and trapped despite her outbursts.
Keith scoffed and disappeared upstairs.
Maisy turned to Tyler, her voice gentle but firm. “Olivia isn’t that kind of person, Tyler. I know her well.”
Tyler’s face remained icy, and he said nothing as Maisy left to check on Olivia.
Meanwhile, Ana continued scolding the sobbing maid.
Maisy stood at the door and asked softly, “Ana, why are you so angry?”
Ana glanced up, her fury simmering down.
After a long pause, she sank onto the couch.
Maisy told the maid, “You may go.”
The maid hurriedly left.
Maisy stepped inside and said quietly, “Ana, I understand why you’re upset. I’m not blind. But you have to—”