Novel Catalog
Chapter 401
Olivia glanced around, her brows knitting with faint unease. “What was that noise?”
Claude turned his head slightly, his expression unreadable. He stopped squinting and replied in a measured tone, “Nothing. Probably just something from downstairs.”
A short distance away, Dylan stepped aside to answer his ringing phone. Naomi’s name flashed on the screen.
“Where are you, Dylan?” came her voice.
“I’m at Blue Bar,” he replied.
“I’m coming over.”
He blinked. “You are?”
It was Louis’s girlfriend’s birthday tonight—a mutual friend of Naomi’s. She had probably been invited too. Still, Dylan hadn’t expected her to actually show up. Ever since she’d fallen ill, their paths had rarely crossed.
Naomi’s voice was unusually bright. “Of course I am! It’s Louis’s girlfriend’s birthday, after all. I’ve been cooped up in the hospital for too long—I could really use a change of scenery.”
He hesitated. “Are you coming alone? Just… think it through.”
“No,” she said cheerfully. “Tyler’s coming with me.”
That gave him pause.
Tyler? Wasn’t he Naomi’s brother-in-law?
Dylan stared into the distance, his thoughts racing. He wondered whether Olivia and Claude had heard any part of the conversation. Were they still nearby?
Trying to shake off his confusion, he said lightly, “It’ll be great to see you again. It’s been too long. We’ve got a room ready—hopefully it’s not too loud for you.”
Naomi laughed. “I’ll be in a wheelchair. Don’t tease me too much.”
“How could we dare, Princess?”
“Alright, wait for us. Tyler and I are already in the elevator.”
“What?” Dylan blinked, startled.
Before he could respond, the soft chime of the elevator echoed through the hallway. He instinctively turned toward the sound.
And there they were.
Naomi sat gracefully in a wheelchair, her smile warm and steady despite her condition. Emma stood behind her, gently pushing her forward, while Tyler stood beside her, calm and protective.
Dylan suddenly had a feeling the night ahead wouldn’t go as expected.
Putting his thoughts aside, he stepped forward to greet them with a grin. “Well, well. Long time no see, Ms. Naomi. You look great tonight.”
Naomi returned the smile. “It’s my fault we haven’t seen each other more often.”
Tyler glanced around and asked, “Why aren’t you inside yet?”
“It’s loud in there,” Dylan said, lifting his phone. “I stepped out to take your call.”
While Tyler gave Emma a few quiet instructions, Dylan watched them interact. They seemed at ease with one another—too familiar. Like nothing had changed.
Then Tyler turned back and said, “Let’s head in.”
Dylan kept his tone light. “After you.”
With Naomi and Tyler leading the way, Dylan followed behind, his thoughts turning again to Olivia.
As they approached the private room, he couldn’t help but wonder if they might run into her.
Just as that thought crossed his mind, two familiar figures appeared from the opposite end of the hallway.
A man and a woman.
Both parties stopped in their tracks, startled as their eyes locked.
The moment froze.
Four sets of eyes. One unexpected encounter.