Chapter 398
Claude and Dylan exchanged surprised glances upon unexpectedly running into each other at the bar. Claude took the initiative with a calm smile, “Hi, Dylan.”
After a brief moment of hesitation, Dylan returned the smile. “What a coincidence seeing you here, especially after such a long absence.”
Claude wasn’t fazed. “Out with your friends?”
Dylan glanced toward his companions. “Yeah, you?”
“I have an appointment here,” Claude replied smoothly.
Though they had once been close, their relationship had cooled after past events, but they remained polite and civil.
“Oh, okay. Go ahead then. Let’s catch up sometime,” Dylan said.
“Sure,” Claude answered as he started to walk away, leaving Dylan behind.
One of Dylan’s friends muttered, “You two haven’t seen each other in ages.”
“Yeah, he left for years after Morgan’s death. I guess he’s done what he could to make amends, but Yancey isn’t what it used to be. That’s the price he had to pay,” another added.
“Do you think he really loved Morgan? She cared so much about him… she would’ve died for him,” someone asked softly.
Dylan, thinking of Morgan, felt a pang of emotion. “Who knows? No one can tell what’s really on his mind.”
“Morgan was such a beautiful woman… why did she—”
“Enough,” Dylan interrupted, his expression darkening, silencing the conversation.
As Claude continued walking, he paused briefly, gazing in a particular direction. His secretary approached quietly by his side.
Meanwhile, Sophie was about to speak with Olivia when a familiar voice called from behind.
“Soof.”
Both Sophie and Olivia turned, startled to see Claude standing there.
Olivia instinctively stepped back, while Sophie frowned. “C–Claude?”
Claude’s eyes immediately locked onto Olivia. Sensing this, Sophie quickly moved to stand between them, shielding Olivia from his gaze.
“What are you trying to do?” Sophie challenged, suspicion clear in her voice.
She had hoped to keep Olivia and Claude apart, but instead, she’d unintentionally created a chance for them to reconnect.
Claude glanced at Sophie, then said firmly, “I have an appointment here.”
Sophie’s guard remained up. “Go ahead then,” she replied, still wary, while Olivia stayed silent behind her.
Claude sensed Olivia’s reluctance but chose not to press her. His intent was simply to check on her wellbeing.
Turning back to Sophie, concern in his voice, he said, “Soof, could you wait somewhere else? I need to speak with Olivia.”