Chapter 399
Sophie anticipated Claude’s insistence and stood firm. “You can talk to me, and I’ll relay your message to Olivia,” she asserted.
Claude’s intense gaze lingered on Sophie, but she didn’t waver. After a brief pause, Claude sighed with a frown, “Soof…”
Seeing his rare display of frustration, Sophie hesitated briefly before lowering her hands. “Fine, you have ten minutes,” she said, then turned and walked away.
As Sophie left, Olivia greeted Claude calmly, “Hi.”
Noticing Olivia neither hid nor moved away, Claude nodded to his secretary. “Leave us.”
The secretary understood and quietly exited.
Turning to Olivia, Claude asked with concern, “Are you… okay?”
Olivia, no longer fearful of the situation, replied plainly, “Yes. I just hope you’ll keep your distance.”
Claude sighed softly. “I couldn’t get through to you these past few days. I wanted to talk to you at my home but never had the chance.”
His worry mingled with a tender warmth in his eyes.
Olivia avoided his gaze. “You don’t need to. What happened to me has nothing to do with you, so don’t worry.”
Feeling uneasy with others around, she added, “I’m going to leave now.”
As she tried to pass him, Claude reached out and gently grabbed her arm.
“Olivia,” he murmured softly, his eyes gentle but insistent.
Startled, Olivia tried to pull free, but his grip held steady.
“Claude, I can’t get involved with people like you. I’m just an illegitimate daughter, and all I want is a peaceful life. Please let me have that,” she pleaded.
Olivia didn’t want to be tangled in their conflicts. Unlike Sophie, blessed with privilege and protection, Olivia was alone—without Naomi’s love, parental support, or Tyler’s shielding presence.
She relied solely on herself and longed for peace.
Claude frowned deeply. “Olivia, it’s your sister, isn’t it?”
Surprised he knew, Olivia looked up at him.
“How did Tyler handle this?” he asked quietly.
Olivia hesitated, unwilling to admit the truth, but it seemed everyone already knew.
“Yes…” she whispered, trailing off.
Though she wouldn’t say more, Claude understood perfectly.
“He did nothing, didn’t he?” Claude said bitterly. “You must protect yourself. Your sister doesn’t deserve your trust.”