At the mention of Jackson, Norma rolled her eyes. "One word—pervert.""He's a pervert?""Yeah. He'd even give a female fly a second look, not to mention women."Olivia felt even more confused. Could someone like him be the mastermind?"Did he mess with you, Ms. Fordham?" Norma asked, studying Olivia's expression."No, I was just curious."Norma thought quickly, then said, "Thanks to you, we got another partnership in the bag. This means that we've completed the sales mission. He'll be here soon."As she spoke, Norma pointed at a man in a suit and tie, who was standing at a corner. "Look, there he is."Olivia looked in the direction Norma was pointing. Jackson seemed to be around 35 years old. He had a common stature, and his eyes had a cunning shine to them.When their gazes met, Jackson studied Olivia from head to toe."Oh, you're that newcomer, aren't you? The one who bagged a huge project as soon as she joined. You're something." Jackson reached out to pat Olivia on the sh
In the hospital, Jeff was lying on the hospital bed as always. Every day, he survived on nutrient solutions and various equipment.His body had weakened at a noticeable rate. His limbs had begun to shrink.He was like a flower that had lost its vigor and was clinging to the last bits of nutrients in the soil. He was barely hanging on.Olivia hadn't visited him in a while. Every time she saw her father like this, she would feel even worse.Jeff's face was already sunken. Olivia's tears dripped onto the back of his dry hand."Dad …"She wished that a miracle would happen one day, and Jeff would wake up and look at her. She yearned for just a glance from him, and maybe a few words too."Don't be sad, Olivia."Colin patted her gently on the back. Olivia lowered her head, not wanting anyone to see her at her weakest moments.Sobbing, Olivia covered her face. When she looked up again, she saw Colin listening to Jeff's heartbeat with a stethoscope."Colin?"Putting the stethoscope
Colin sent Olivia to her apartment. He had the innocence of a youth, but he also had the gentlemanly air of an older man.He opened the car door for Olivia. Then, he wrapped the scarf he just purchased around Olivia's neck."It's okay, I'm not feeling cold," Olivia said."This is a new scarf. You should keep yourself warm," he explained."Alright. Take care on your way back. Thanks."Colin was still smiling. "The snacks tonight don't count. You still owe me a proper meal, Olivia.""Oh, you." Reaching out, Olivia caressed his head. "You've never changed since you were young."She once promised to give him a present back then. He remembered it and would keep asking her for the present from time to time."Let's meet up sometime.""Sure."Olivia watched as the car drove away. Then, she turned around and got into the elevator.Colin was right. She shouldn't be so pessimistic.She looked at the snacks she was holding. She never thought that Colin still remembered her preferences
Olivia smiled. It was an extremely mocking smile.She pried Ethan's fingers off her. "Mr. Miller, I've never wanted anything from you. I can even let go of the title of Mrs. Miller without any issues."Under Ethan's gleaming gaze, Olivia smiled faintly. She said calmly, "In the past, I thought that nothing could rival you. But then I stood still, waiting."I waited as leaves budded, then cicadas started crying in the summer. The leaves then turned yellow in fall, and lastly, the wind began to howl in winter."I couldn't wait any longer, so I had no choice but to drag my tired body forward. Then, I realized something."The spring breeze, the summer cicadas, the leaves in the fall, and even the winter snow …. All those things are better than you."She lifted her hands, her slender fingers touching the face she used to love with all her heart."Ethan, I admit that I haven't completely forgotten about you. Maybe I won't be able to wipe you from memory even after many years."You'll
Keith and Olivia chatted a little about what was going on in their lives. Olivia had always felt guilty for the fact that Ethan had banished Keith because of her.Keith's voice was as gentle as always. He was studying overseas, and he had already gotten used to the new surroundings.He even got himself a nice girlfriend. When he returned in a few years, he would take over the position of head of the hospital. So, his studies weren't entirely a bad thing.He arranged a stomach check-up for Olivia tomorrow."Olivia, I'm truly glad that you can move on and start life anew.""I'll try my best to live a good life, Keith. Be it a day or a month, I'll welcome tomorrow with hope."A woman's voice sounded from the other end of the line. "Keith, I messed up again …"Smiling, Olivia ended the call. "Go ahead, Keith."That night, she finally relaxed. She went and took a bath.She even poured out some wine for herself after that. Standing on the balcony, she listened to the sea breeze as s
As soon as Olivia entered Team C's office, everyone greeted her enthusiastically.Seeing this, Olivia felt that it was quite amusing. If they knew that she no longer had a backer, would they still be smiling so brightly?Even Sophia didn't mind her taking on the project alone. Patting her shoulder, Sophia said, "Give it your all, Olivia!"Norma hastily pulled Olivia to the side. In a deserted place, she reported her findings to Olivia."Ms. Fordham, Jackson hung out with a woman from his department last night. He had a lot of fun.""And?"Norma replied, "Fortunately, I'm quite close to that woman. She helped me ask him a few questions."Jackson said that you look pretty and have a nice figure. Your skin is great too. He said that one day, he would … Well ..."She didn't relay the indecent words that came after that.Norma concluded, "Other than that, Jackson doesn't have any grudges against you. He didn't behave as if he knew you before this."Olivia frowned. "Then the photos
It wasn't that Olivia couldn't dodge it. Instead, Chloe was simply too fast. Olivia also didn't expect her to do that in public.Olivia was stunned by the slap.In her memories, Chloe was a distant person who had always been cold to Olivia.No matter what, Chloe had received lessons on manners since she was young. How could she hit Olivia in public?Olivia covered her face, taking a deep breath to suppress the rage in her heart."Mrs. Carlton, I think you owe me an explanation.""If I had known you would turn out as shameless as this, Olivia, I wouldn't have given birth to you. I'm very disappointed in you!"Chloe's slap had ruined Olivia's good mood for the past two days.Olivia's colleagues looked on curiously. Olivia couldn't handle the embarrassment."If you have something to say, let's talk outside."Chloe swept her hand away. "What's the matter? Are you scared that I'll expose what you did? I have no idea how your father raised you. I can't believe you've resorted to su
Olivia couldn't understand what Chloe was thinking. She didn't know why Chloe abandoned her and went overseas back then.She had been gone for many years. Now that she had come back, shouldn't she make it up to her poor daughter?If Chloe ruined Olivia's reputation, it would have a bad effect on her reputation as a mother too. What was she trying to do?Chloe was stunned for a moment. Then, she became even fiercer. "Olivia, I told you to be a blameless person. Aren't you scared of the consequences when you do these things?"Blood was oozing out of Olivia's clenched fists. "Why should I be scared? She's the one who should be scared …"Before she could finish speaking, a calm man's voice rang out. "Mrs. Carlton, the CEO wishes to see you two."News of this incident had already reached the CEO's office. Brent, who was standing respectfully at the side, led the two away.Olivia lowered her head, staring at Chloe's back. The sight wasn't much different from what she remembered. She