Chapter 5
“Shut up.” Jenny snapped. “Olivia saved me because she’s kind. If you idiots hadn’t lost me in the first place, I wouldn’t have passed out on the street. Without her, I’d be dead thanks to that quack doctor. Just you wait-
“Jenny.” Andrew’s voice cut through, low and icy. “Ethan’s doing his job. Don’t throw a fit.”
Jenny knew that tone. Andrew only used it when he was really angry.
“But Andrew,” she whined, flinging herself against him, “I worked so hard to find you a perfect girl, and he ruined it. Now Olivia’s gonna hate me.” The fake tears turned real as she buried her face in his shoulder.
Ethan looked down deeply, frozen in dread. ‘I made Ms. Shea cry. I’m dead. So, so dead.
Andrew sighed, brushing a tear from her cheek. “I’m not getting married. So stop trying to set up for me, alright?”
With a subtle gesture, he signaled Ethan to straighten up. The poor man nearly sagged in relief, his shirt drenched in sweat.
“Let’s go,” Andrew said. “The meeting’s starting.”
As the group turned toward the building, the glass doors reflected a face of striking, almost dangerous beauty–piercing eyes, pale lips, and an expression so cold that it could freeze fire.
He was powerful Andrew Shea, the untouchable head of the Shea Group. And yet, he was also the doomed patient, his illness beyond any doctor’s reach.
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“Since she saved Jenny’s life,” Andrew said, his voice measured, “we should show proper gratitude. Prepare some gifts. We’ll respects in person soon.” His sharp gaze pinned Ethan in place. “And Ethan, don’t overstep.”
pay our
Ethan’s shirt was still damp with sweat, but fresh fear prickled down his spine. “Yes, sir,” he answered immediately.
‘But there’s a problem, he wondered. ‘She’s been disowned by the Sherman family. Where would I even find her now? Right, the Sherman family. Maybe if they intervene, Olivia would be more receptive.
How wrong he was. Of all people, Olivia wanted nothing to do with the Sherman family.
Olivia had just put some distance between herself and the Sherman family when her phone buzzed. “Boss, we found the guy you wanted. Intel’s been delivered,” the voice said.
“Good work. Your bounty just went up five percent,” Olivia said, pulling over and unlocking her phone with a quick glance.
“Hell yeah. Thanks, Boss.”
Her screen ht up with a holographic display–rows of microchips, each marked as SOLD in bold red. The dark web interface flickered before splitting into multiple encrypted windows.
Then a photo appeared a man slipping a stack of prototype chips into his coat pocket, flanked by armed guards as he entered a luxury hotel, which was one infamous for backdoor tech deals.
“The Sherman family really has no shame,” Olivia muttered, her grip tightening on the phone. She knew exactly where those chips had come from
But this operation was too stick for the Sherman family alone. Fragments of sharp, painful memory surfaced, making her chest constrict “Who’s really pulling the strings here? she wondered.
Suddenly, a sharp cutting voice rang out from behind her Olivia knew it all too well. It was Margaret, her adoptive mother, speaking with the same disdain as if he were scolding garbage, Olivia What are you doing here?”
Olivia turned to see a small crowd nearby. Alongside her adoptive father, William, were several Sherman family relatives, and Cheryl, the newly returned golden child
Dressed in elegant finery. Cheryl clung to the arm of an elderly man flashing a practiced smile. The old man parted her hand, his expression warn with approval. It was Henry Evans, the famous local doctor
Margaret’s lips twisted in irritation. She clearly assumed Olivia had followed them, lurking outside like some desperate stray. She
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Chapter 5
scoffed. “You refused our money yesterday, and now you’re chasing us here?
“We told you, your real parents are back in that backwater town. Why do you hang around where you don’t belong? Have some dignity. Even if you beg, we won’t take you back.
“If it’s about the money, fine. I’ll give you a little more. Just name your price and get lost.”
She gritted her teeth. And her critical gaze swept over Olivia’s simple outfit: the unadorned black coat, the faded jeans that somehow still managed to showcase those annoyingly perfect legs, the complete lack of makeup, that worn white bag slung carelessly over one shoulder.
Margaret smirked. ‘Pathetic. Clearly, life without us has left her broke. Fine, I’ll offer more. Anyway, she’s lined the Sherman coffers well enough to justify a little extra. Without her, we would have been ruined years ago.
“Fine. I know you’re bitter about being some country nobody,” Margaret sneered. “For old times‘ sake, I’ll give you thirty thousand. Now
scram.
Olivia arched a brow, amusement flickering in her eyes. She opened her mouth to respond.
But before she could, Henry cut in, his voice dripping with contempt. “Margaret, who is this?” He eyed Olivia’s outfit with open disdain. “You brought this to a Shea family event?”
Margaret caught the warning in his tone and quickly stepped in. “Oh, just a student I used to sponsor. Imagine running into her here.” She gave a pitying sigh. “She’s fallen on hard times, so I thought I’d offer some help.”
“Hmm.” Henry nodded approvingly, patting Cheryl’s hand. “Cheryl, you’ve got the same generous heart as your mother.” Then his voice turned cold. “But you can’t just let anyone wander in. There’s a time and place for charity.”
Cheryl lowered her eyes, the picture of wounded sympathy. “You’re right. But poor Olivia, she really does seem to be struggling.”
“Now that’s the kind of grace I expect from a Sherman,” Henry said, visibly pleased. He shot William an approving glance. “Your daughter is exceptional.”
William, who had always despised Olivia, swelled with pride at the praise. ‘Of course,‘ he thought. ‘A real daughter brings honor, not like that ungrateful impostor, always moping around as if the world owed her something.”
Aloud, he said, “Cheryl’s always had a tender heart. Even as a child, she couldn’t bear to see others suffer.”
Turning to Margaret, he muttered, “Take everyone inside. I’ll handle this.”
Margaret gave Olivia one last performative look of sympathy. “Do talk to her, dear. She’s clearly going through a rough patch.”
The group murmured approvingly, lapping up her act of kindness.
Olivia watched the whole display and nearly gagged. ‘God, what a pack of pretentious vultures.
“You want money, huh?” Williamn sneered, thrusting a credit card at her. “Here, 30 thousand. Take it and get lost. Don’t humiliate us here. Today was Cheryl’s grand debut, her moment to shine in front of high society. The last thing they needed was this stray ruining everything.
Olivia kept her expression blank, but inwardly, she was laughing. ’30 thousand? That’s it? Do they really think I’m some broke charity case begging for scraps?
The crowd watched, expecting her to snatch the money with grateful tears. Instead, Olivia plucked the card from his fingers–and snapped it clean in half before tossing the pieces aside like trash.
Everyone froze in shock
Margaret’s face twisted in fury Olivia, don’t go too far.”
“Sorry, I don’t speak trash” Olivia said, flashing a mocking grin. “Mrs. Sherman, your acting needs work. One minute you’re Mother Teresa, the next you’re foaming at the mouth?”
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