Chapter 433
Naomi sat quietly, her thoughts tangled. After much reflection, she finally said, “Claude is under a lot of pressure. It wouldn’t surprise me if someone’s targeting him.”
Tyler nodded silently, eyes fixed on the papers in front of him, giving no indication of his thoughts.
That evening, Olivia’s phone rang. The caller ID showed Claude’s name.
She hesitated, heart pounding, then answered. On the other end, his voice was calm, measured.
“Olivia,” he began softly.
Her breath caught, but Claude’s tone was gentle, almost vulnerable. “Do you believe them?”
There was a subtle sadness beneath his words as he continued, “What others think doesn’t matter to me, but your opinion… that matters. At my age, why should I care about anyone’s judgment? Do you think I’m capable of such cruelty?”
Olivia was taken aback. Claude had just resigned from Yancey Bank amid the storm, grappling with everything that had happened, yet he still found time to call her. The realization struck her—she was more important to him than she’d understood.
Her mind flashed to Morgan, who had loved Claude with all her heart. How could someone who seemed so gentle hurt her?
Silence stretched between them before Olivia finally whispered, “Did you do it?”
“Do you believe me?” Claude’s voice was earnest, almost pleading.
She hesitated, the truth slipping out, “I don’t really know you.”
“Your trust means everything to me,” he said quietly.
“Then why resign if you’re innocent?” Olivia pressed, needing answers. His pause felt heavy with unspoken truths. Finally, he said, “I stepped down to let her rest in peace.”
His deep, calm voice stirred conflicting emotions inside her.
“I don’t care what anyone says,” Claude confessed. “I only care about you. Please… believe me.”
Could she? Should she?
Who was he, really, to deserve her trust?
Overwhelmed, Olivia felt a flicker of hope — he didn’t sound like a monster.
But if not him, then what had happened to Morgan that night?
Her voice barely above a whisper, she asked, “Can I trust you?”
Claude’s sad smile echoed in her mind as he answered, “I’d be so grateful if you did. I fear you’ll shut me out forever.”
After a pause, his final words lingered in the silence, “Olivia, you’re the first person I’ve ever cared for this deeply.”