Chapter 122
Tyler seemed to be reminiscing as the lecturers talked. He picked up
the wine glass and took a sip. â That was a long time ago.â
The lecturer continued, âI'm sure Ms. Olivia is just as talented on the
piano as her sister.â
Olivia couldn't play the piano at all. She wasn't artistic and felt
uncomfortable with all the praise. She had always been in the
background, and now being praised like this felt awkward.
Olivia knew they were only praising her because of Naomi.
Just as the compliments were piling up, Tyler calmly interrupted, âOlivia
is Naomiâs sister, but sheâs not a piano prodigy. Everyone has their own
strengths, and they're not obligated to have the same
talents.â
The lecturer realized the misstep and fell silent.
There was a hint of annoyance on Tyler's face, though subtle. He
quickly changed the topic. âLet's
talk about something else.â
Olivia kept her head low, playing with her fingers.
I
The lecturer, unaware of the sensitive topic he had touched, avoided
looking at Olivia and shifted the conversation to fundraising, lightening
the mood.
Relieved that the attention was no longer on her, Olivia began to relax.
Suddenly, she felt a sense of inferiority wash over her out of nowhere.
During dinner, she hardly said a word, feeling like she was invisible.
Dinner ended around 10 pm. Olivia didnât get a chance to return to the
lab because Tyler didn't bring it up, and she didnât dare to either.
After bidding farewell to the professors, Tyler and Olivia got into their
car.
The night air was chilly. Tyler closed his eyes and leaned back in his
seat.
Olivia sat quietly, and Tyler eventually asked, âYou seem really busy
lately. Weren't you supposed to go to the lab? Why didnât you?â
Olivia had been lying, and Tyler caught her. She didnât dare look at
him.
But Tyler lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him. He gazed at her and
said, âI just wanted to have dinner with you. Is that so hard?â
His voice was slightly husky and intimate, leaving Olivia confused. She
wanted to pull away, but when she touched his hand, he said, âYou're
just as good as anyone else, do you know that?"
Olivia's hand froze.
Tyler knew that the dean had made her feel inferior, and he didnât want
her to dwell on it. He traced
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her face with his fingers gently. âYou're not Nicole, and you don't need
to be overshadowed by her.â
He leaned in closer, their faces almost touching, his breath carrying a
hint of alcohol as it blew against Olivia's face.