Chapter 377
“Naomi… is worried about me?” Olivia asked softly.
“Of course she is!” Darren replied earnestly. “She’s not in great health herself, yet she’s still thinking about you! Please, Olivia, eat something — for her sake too.”
Standing near the doorway, Tyler listened to Darren’s words without entering the room. He didn’t need to; he could hear everything from where he stood.
Olivia’s resistance finally gave way.
“All right,” she murmured.
Relieved, Darren wasted no time. He unpacked the containers, revealing an array of Olivia’s favorite dishes. Slowly, hesitantly, Olivia picked up her fork and took her first bite — her first meal in more than a day.
Tyler watched her for a moment longer, then silently turned and left.
Outside, Hillary had been waiting anxiously for some time.
As Ana drove out of the house, she spotted Hillary. For a moment, their eyes met — but Ana simply looked away, her expression cold and indifferent.
Feeling uneasy, Hillary instinctively took a few steps back as Ana’s car passed.
Later, Ana received a phone call. Though no one could hear the voice on the other end, her smile steadily widened as she listened.
Meanwhile, Darren left the Harris residence.
Back in her room, Olivia sat quietly on the bed, lost in thought.
In his study, Tyler remained still, watching the fish swim in a large tank, deep in contemplation.
At the same time, Naomi waited nervously at Sandalwood Palace for her parents’ return.
As soon as Darren walked in, she asked anxiously,
“How did it go? Did she eat?”
Darren gave her a reassuring smile.
“It’s all right now. She ate. Don’t worry — Olivia was simply overwhelmed by stress, that’s all.”
Naomi finally allowed herself to breathe.
“Thank goodness. Please, Dad… take good care of her. Make sure she knows she’s not alone.”
“Of course. We need her to safely deliver the child, after all,” Darren said warmly.
In an office at Yancey Bank, Claude sat at his desk, reviewing the results of an investigation he had quietly ordered.
The findings were not what he had expected.
“You’ve surprised me, Naomi Jones…” he said softly, almost to himself. “And you too, Tyler. I imagine you’re just as shocked. She’s the one you’d go to any lengths to protect, isn’t she?”
Without another word, he lit the document with a lighter, watching the edges curl and blacken before dropping it into a steel trash can.
Later that evening, Naomi remained anxious. Her gaze drifted toward Tyler, who sat nearby in the hospital ward. Finally, unable to hold back her worry, she asked,
“Tyler… has she eaten dinner?”
Her concern for her sister was unmistakable.
Tyler reached out and gently touched her cheek.
“Do you really have to be this worried about her?” he said softly. “She only skipped a few meals. Your dad went to see her — she ate quite a bit after that.”