Chapter 9
Elena saw her opening and pounced, “What are you doing here?” she snarled, advancing like a predator. “Trying to crawl back to Simon? Get out before I have security throw you out.”
Her hand lashed out, only to be caught mid–swing. Olivia’s grip looked effortless, but the way Elena suddenly shrieked and crumpled told another story.
“My hand… Bitch, you broke my hand,” Elena wailed, cradling her wrist like a wounded bird. “Someone call security. She’s assaulting me.”
The crowd murmured disapprovingly. The hierarchy was clear–Elena Sherman, charity darling, versus some unknown girl. The
narrative wrote itself.
“Isn’t that the student the Sherman family took pity on? She’s struggling and wants to get close to Mr. Evans?”
“First, she attacked, and then bullied Ms. Sherman. How shameless.”
“Pathetic. Can’t even afford proper clothes but thinks she can crash high–society events. This is a private event. Probably slept her way in. Disgusting.”
Elena hid a smirk behind her pained expression, drinking in the humiliation. Face it, Olivia,‘ she sneered inwardly. “People like don’t belong here unless they’re on their knees.‘
you
Insults were hurled at Olivia, but she stayed calm. Her smile could have frozen hell over. “Interesting theory. What if I prove I earned my spot?”
“With what?” Elena barked a laugh. “Tonight’s auction is top–tier. The entry donation is 1.5 million. You’re a broke student who can’t even afford lunch. Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Hypothetically,” Olivia mused, “if I could prove it, what would you give me?”
Elena rolled her eyes, thinking Olivia was just bluffing. “If by some miracle you did, I’d resign from WorldAid and leave Hillarica,” she sneered with disdain. “But when you fail, you’ll apologize to Cheryl and me and beg for mercy.”
Cheryl held Elena’s arm and made a show of protest. “Elena, that’s too far.”
“Deal.” Olivia’s voice cut like steel. “Add one term: when I win, you get lost immediately.”
Elena agreed without even thinking.
Olivia pulled out her phone and dialed. “Beau, it’s me. Where are you?”
The name Beau sent a ripple of unease through the room. In Hillarica, Bead White was a legend. He was a man of immense influence, someone far beyond the reach of people like them.
Yet here was Olivia, not only casually calling him but speaking to him like he worked for her. Everyone started wondering who she was.
Elena burst out laughing, her voice dripping with mockery. “Wow, Olivia. And here I thought you didn’t rely on men. Guess I was wrong. Looks like you’ve already hooked up with Mr. White.”
The crowd was too absorbed in the drama to notice the little girl watching from the VIP section. Jenny, looking every bit the spoiled princess, wandered around with a bottle of red wine in hand, her expression haughty.
Ethan trailed behind her at a distance, anxiety gnawing at him. ‘What’s Boss thinking, putting me in charge of her? There’s no controlling Ms. Shea, especially not after I’ve pissed her off that morning. She definitely isn’t the forgiving type. My career is over,” he muttered inwardly, shoulders slumping.
Then, grabbing a fleece shawl, he approached carefully. “Ms. Shea, you, uh… really like that Ms. Summers, huh?”
Jenny didn’t answer. Just a cold hmph. ‘Olivia is beautiful and kind, like something out of a fairy tale. It must be fate. She has to be with Andrew, Jenny decided. The thought made her lips curl into a rare smile
Ethan blinked “Ain I hallucinating? Ms. Shea’s smiling?
“Ms. Shea, he ventured cautiously, “if you’re not mad anymore, any chance you could, uh, not cut my salary? That was a cool $150,000 on the line–just a little more, and he could finally buy that high–end motorcycle he’d been eyeing
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12:19 PM P.
Chapter 9
Jenny ignored him, turning on her heel and striding back toward the VIP area. The light in her eyes dimmed slightly. “The doctors have given me less than a year. If Olivia spends some time with me, what would happen when I’m gone?”
“Ms. Shea, at least put your coat on.” Ethan called after her, baffled by her sudden mood shift. With a sigh, he hurried to catch up.
In a nearby booth, William’s eyebrow shot up, a smug grin spreading across his face. “The Summers family from Kingtonelle? Here to discuss business?”
“No, Mr. Sherman,” the butler replied. “They specifically asked for Olivia and wanted to know where she’s staying now.”
ட
The moment Olivia’s name was mentioned, William’s mood soured. “Who gives a damn where she is? Probably crawled back to that orphanage to cling to that old hag.” He waved a dismissive hand. “Tell them we don’t know, and remind them who they’re dealing with. We don’t get dragged into petty squabbles.”
His mind was already elsewhere. ‘Cheryl’s the Evans family’s golden girl now, and with their backing, I’ll soon be rubbing shoulders with the Shea family. Olivia? She’s disposable, a pawn that has outlived its usefulness.
“Just handle it quietly,” William ordered. “No messy scenes.”
The butler nodded. “Understood, sir.
William didn’t know this decision would soon become the biggest regret of his life.
Elena was convinced she’d won. A smug laugh escaped her lips as she taunted, “Olivia, cut the act. Apologize and beg for my mercy. Do it well enough, and I might even throw you a tip. Isn’t this all about money for you?”
Then she reached out to grab Olivia. But a deep, commanding voice cut through the air. “Don’t you touch her!”
Everyone turned to see a striking middle–aged man approaching, his presence alone silencing the crowd. It was Beau. Then people started greeting him.
Too caught up in her triumph, Elena barely registered his tone. Assuming he was here to back her up, she grabbed his arm, wincing through her own pain.
She said, “Mr. White, it’s her. She attacked me and my cousin Cheryl, then had the nerve to flirt with Simon. You have to punish her and make an example out of her!”
Beau’s expression darkened. He flicked her hand away with barely concealed disdain. “Ms. Sherman, you’ve misunderstood the situation.”
Elena froze, confused.
Then, to everyone’s shock, Beau strode straight to Olivia and bowed deeply.
