The Beginning Of All Sins

Chapter 137 1/2 Claude pushed open the battered front door. “This won’t do. This is your home! We should clean it up. 11 Olivia had been avoiding looking at the dilapidated house, but something about Claude’s determination and her own presence there gave her courage. “I… I agree.” Claude led her inside, still holding her wrist firmly. They walked through the hallway and stopped at a broken wooden window sill. “We can fix these. All of them!” He let go of her and started working on the window, showing gentleness and focus in his actions. Watching him work helped Olivia come to terms with the reality of her old home. She smiled. “Wait for me! I’ll go buy some cleaning tools!” That night, Tyler returned to Sandalwood Palace at 10 pm and noted the silence. “Where’s Olivia?” he asked one of the maids. “Um, Miss Olivia left after you did this morning. She hasn’t come back yet.” “Till now?” The maid nodded. Tyler’s serious expression darkened further. “Did she say where she was going?” “Uh… no. I asked when she’d return, but she said she had no idea.” Tyler shot a stern look at her and immediately made some calls. No one picked up. Since it was Saturday, he decided to contact Sophie. She sounded surprised to receive his call. “H- Hello? Mr. Tyler?!” “Sorry to bother you at this hour, but is Olivia with you?” “No. I haven’t heard from her today.” “Are you sure?” “Yeah, pretty sure, Mr. Tyler.” Tyler hung up, considering the possibilities. He didn’t like it, but it seemed increasingly likely. He instructed his assistant, “Find out where Claude Pearce is.” After a few minutes, he got a response. “He left the city today… with Ms. Olivia.” While Olivia cleaned, Claude helped with the repairs. By nightfall, the house had transformed into something much nicer. They sat across from each other at a table with ramen bowls. Chapter 137 “Boo–hoo, Claude. All that hard work only got you a bowl of ramen!” Olivia teased. Claude chuckled, studying her dusty face. “Then maybe you owe me a big treat next time!” “What would you like?” “Hmm, I should aim higher. How about… some convenience store–bought microwave macaroni?” Olivia laughed despite her bashful self. Claude seemed captivated by her laughter. “What’s wrong?” she asked. “N–Nothing,” he said, shaking his head. Suddenly, his phone rang. He glanced at it and immediately frowned. “Huh? Who is it?” she asked, then saw the screen. It was Tyler.