Chapter 41
The Beginning Of All Sins
Tyler paid no attention to Naomi. Instead, he turned to Olivia and said, âGo back to your ward, Olivia.â
Realizing her position as an outsider in this situation, Olivia stiffly nodded and turned to leave, leaving the room in silence once more.
Tyler then turned his attention to Mrs. Jones and Darren. âIâd like to speak to her privately.â
Understanding that they shouldnât interfere, both of them nodded and left the room.
Once they were alone, Tyler looked at Naomi. Tears had been streaming down her face while he maintained a stern expression. âSince this is what you want, Iâll do it properly.â
Back in her ward, Olivia lay on her bed feeling like her heart had sunk into a bottomless abyss. She couldnât help but feel trapped, as if there was no way out of this situation.
In less than half an hour, Tylerâs secretary, Linda, arrived. She approached Oliviaâs bed and spoke gently, âMs. Olivia, Mr. Tyler asked me to pack your things. Is there anything specific you need from your school or home?â
The rapidity of the situation caught Olivia off guard, leaving her momentarily speechless.
Linda asked again, âMs. Olivia?â
Coming back to her senses, Olivia replied in a daze, âAnything is fine.â
Linda nodded and got to work, packing Oliviaâs belongings in the ward.
Olivia watched, still processing the speed of these events. She couldnât believe how quickly things had escalatedâshe wasnât ready. With a hint of hesitation, she asked, âDo we need to pack right now?â
Linda, standing by the couch, replied, âArenât you returning to school tomorrow? While weâre packing the rest of your belongings, Mr. Tyler hopes that youâll stay at his place tonight to familiarize yourself there.â
Oliviaâs mind raced. She wasnât prepared for this sudden change. She felt like she was caught in the middle of something she didnât fully understand. Fear, panic, and unease overwhelmed her as she considered the unfamiliar territory that awaited her.
Linda waited for Oliviaâs response.
After a moment of internal struggle, Olivia managed to say, âOkay.â She then closed her eyes, battling.
the turmoil within.
Linda completed the packing roughly half an hour later and returned to Olivia. âWe can leave now, Ms.
Olivia.â
Olivia was startled. She asked before leaving, âAre we going with Tyler?â
âHe may need to stay with Ms. Naomi at the hospital for now.â
Slightly relieved by this information, Olivia refrained from asking further questions. She felt better about the situation knowing that Tyler wouldnât be present at the house.
That night, Olivia was brought to Tylerâs home, the Sandalwood Palace, where she had been once before. Standing in the living room, she looked around, sensing an ominous darkness that seemed ready to engulf her.
The house appeared enormous and labyrinthine, and she feared getting lost in its unfamiliar halls.
Linda, sensing Oliviaâs hesitation, offered, âIâll take you to your room upstairs.â
Olivia accepted the guidance with a simple âSure.â
Linda led Olivia upstairs, briefly familiarizing her with the house. As it was late, they didnât engage in much conversation.
After spending half an hour with Olivia, Linda left her alone in her room. Olivia felt a sense of trepidation about being in such a massive house all by herself.
In a hurry, she entered one of the rooms, not caring about its purpose. The room was dimly lit, and as she moved to turn on the lights, she heard a car pull into the driveway followed by footsteps in the living room.
âYouâre home, Mr. Tyler.â