Chapter 60Christian squinted as he woke up to the first hint of sunlight spilling through the blinds, casting a soft, warm glow over the room. The previous night played back in his mind with an intensity that surprised him. Beside him, Olivia lay sleeping peacefully, her face relaxed, framed by the soft waves of her chestnut brown hair. A calm he hadn’t felt in years settled over him as he watched her. His heart was filled with contentment.For a man who had always lived his life behind walls, allowing very few people to glimpse who he really was, letting Olivia in felt monumental She stirred slightly, and he felt his chest tighten. He’d always thought vulnerability was a weakness, but as he gazed at her, he realised how much strength he drew from her presence.He slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb her, and headed to the kitchen to prepare coffee. The gentle clinking of cups and the warm aroma soon filled the air, and he found himself smiling as he poured two mugs, wondering
Chapter 61“What are you talking about?” Olivia asked as she gawked at Ruth. “Looks like I’m the one who’s becoming a godmother soon”.Ruth glared at her for a while. “Will you stop teasing me?”“If you’re not sure, why don’t you take a pregnancy test? That will clear all of your worries at once”, Olivia advised.“That’s it. What if it comes out positive? What do I do? Josh and I just started dating recently”, Ruth rambled on about her worries for minutes.“You know that? What was stopping the two of you from using protection? Or even better post pills?”“I didn’t know what we were thinking. I guess the sex was just too great at some point, so we ditched the protection”.Olivia sighed at Ruth’s response. “You are so...I don’t even know what to say."Ruth sighed in response. “Forget about me. I’ll go to the clinic later. Tell me about Christian and yourself. Have you still not taken your relationship to the next level?”“That’s all you know about in that head of yours. My relationship
Chapter 62When Christian arrived home that evening, Olivia and Eunice lay on the couch with colouring books and crayons scattered between them. Eunice looked up beaming as he entered.“Uncle Christian!” she called, running to him with outstretched arms.He scooped her up, feeling the warmth of her small arms around his neck. “How’s my little artist?” he asked, glancing at the vibrant doodles on the page.Olivia stood, smiling as she watched them. “We’re just having a quiet evening. I figured you’d want to relax after the day you’ve had.”He reached for her hand, pulling her close. “You have no idea how right you are,” he murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.Eunice looked between them, a grin spreading across her face. “Can I show you my drawings, Uncle Christian?”“Of course,” he replied, setting her down and watching as she proudly displayed her creations.Later, after Eunice had gone to bed, he and Olivia lingered on the couch, wrapped in comfortable silence. The event
Chapter 63“Olivia, come see this”, Ruth quickly whispered. Olivia shot herself to Ruth’s side. She gasped in shock as soon as she saw the headline. Her heart started to thump in her chest. This headline is really damaging, especially to Christian, since he was at loggerheads with his company’s board members.“Olivia... this is ridiculous. Who would...?” Ruth’s words faded, also knowing full well the damage a headline like this could do to Christian’s reputation, not to mention Olivia’s.Olivia took a deep breath, trying to keep her composure. “I don’t know, Ruth. I... I thought this part of my life was behind me.” Her voice trembled, a raw edge breaking through her calm front.Ruth reached across the table, squeezing her friend’s hand. “This isn’t your fault. Don’t let them get to you. What you should be worried about right now is Christian’s reaction to this."Olivia nodded as she took her phone. She needed to talk to Christian, to hear his voice and know he wasn’t as rattled as she
Chapter 64As Olivia and Eunice left the ice cream parlour, she held tightly to Eunice’s small hand, the child’s chatter easing some of her tension. She forced a smile as they strolled back to the car, though her mind spun with the implications of the scandal and the leverage Rock Assets was trying to gain. Christian had been so resolute and calm, but Olivia knew his drive to protect her could make him vulnerable.By the time they reached home, the sun had started its descent, casting a warm, amber glow across the city. As Olivia and Eunice walked into the living room, the comforting sight of their cozy space brought Olivia a slight sense of relief, a place where they could momentarily shut out the world.Eunice skipped off to her room, excited to arrange her collection of new art toys, leaving Olivia a moment of quiet in the living room. She sank onto the couch, scrolling through her phone and catching glimpses of articles analysing the scandal.It was unbearable—these strangers piec
Chapter 65Olivia’s heart raced as she read Christian’s message. Does your car have a dashcam? The question seemed harmless, but she sensed a layer of tension behind it. She quickly typed a response.I think so. Why?The reply came almost instantly.I’ll check it out when I get home. We might have a lead.A lead? She replayed their last few days in her mind, wondering what Christian could be after. Rock Assets? Or perhaps something else connected to the persistent interference that had only escalated recently. Her fingers hovered over her phone, tempted to ask for more details, but she knew he’d tell her in his own time. Instead, she slipped her phone into her bag and turned to Ruth, whose gaze was expectant.“Everything okay?” Ruth asked, glancing at her with curiosity.Olivia nodded, forcing a smile. “It’s just Christian. I think he’s trying to find some lead”. She didn’t want to get too excited and jinx herself, so she wasn’t sure of how much to divulge. Ruth seemed to sense her he
Chapter 66“Mom, please tell me the truth. Are you the one behind the smear campaign on Olivia? Because she’s stopping you from realising your dreams?" the daughter asked her mother tentatively.“Are you sick in the head? Is that how you talk to your mother? And why are you suspecting me?" the woman shouted back at her daughter.“If you’re my mother, you should care about what I want and my happiness. Imagine my boyfriend hears this little scheme of yours, he’ll feel insulted. Why are you doing this to me?” she retorted.The woman’s eyes flashed with indignation, her lips pressing into a thin line. “Your happiness?" When did your happiness start to matter more than your family legacy? I’ve worked far too hard for you to throw it all away because of... Olivia.”The daughter sighed with her head down. “Why are you bringing Olivia into this? You’re clearly the problem here... I never liked Christian, for as long as I can remember, and I know he feels the same about me. Stop disrupting hi
Chapter 67Christian’s grip on his phone tightened as he processed Josh’s message. Troy Carey. The name alone stirred an old bitterness that ran deep, as if his father’s warnings were echoing through time to this very moment. A rival’s involvement, especially one as entrenched in family history as Troy, meant this fight wasn’t just about Olivia’s reputation or even Mason Enterprises. It was personal.Olivia noticed the hard set of Christian’s jaw. “Troy Carey... I’ve heard the name before. But why would he support Rock Assets? What does he have against you, Christian?”He turned to her, exhaling slowly as he searched for the best way to explain the bitter feud between their families. “It’s a long story... one that goes back years, even before Matthew was born.Carey was once close to my father. They started in the industry together, young and ambitious. But Carey... he wasn’t satisfied with sharing success. He wanted it all.”Olivia nodded, listening intently, and he continued.“Carey
Chapter 90The mansion felt emptier than ever, even with everyone inside. Olivia sat in the dimly lit living room, staring at the untouched cup of tea Ruth had placed before her hours ago. Christian hadn’t spoken to her since they returned from the failed rescue attempt at the warehouse. Not a single word, not even a glance in her direction. His silence was louder than any accusation could have been.From across the room, Ruth watched Olivia carefully. Her brows knit with concern. Josh entered, his laptop tucked under his arm. “Any updates?” Ruth asked softly.Josh shook his head, his expression grim. “No leads." The trail went cold after the warehouse. "I've got a few people digging into Elise’s connections, but...” He hesitated, glancing toward Christian, who stood by the window, his back to everyone.Olivia couldn’t take it anymore. She pushed herself up from the couch and crossed the room to meet him. “Christian,” she began, her voice small but steady. “We need to talk.”He didn’t
Chapter 89Olivia and Ruth were pacing around in the in the stifling atmosphere. Olivia sat on the edge of the couch, her hands twisting the scarf that had now become a cruel reminder of Eunice’s abduction. Ruth hovered nearby, her calming presence a balm Olivia desperately clung to. Meanwhile, Christian and Josh were locked in a flurry of activity, coordinating with law enforcement and private investigators. Every phone call, every lead, seemed to come up short.Olivia’s chest felt like it was being crushed under the weight of helplessness. Eunice is out there somewhere. Alone. Frightened. The thought nearly undid her. She forced herself to focus on Christian’s promise. He would move mountains to bring Eunice home. He had to.“We’ve got a lead,” Josh announced, though his tone lacked the confidence she had hoped for. “The car was spotted in an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. A team is already on the way.”Olivia bolted to her feet. “I’m coming with you.”Christian’s
Chapter 88There was a long, tense pause before Christian responded, his voice cold and clipped. “I’m on my way. Stay there and don’t let anyone leave until I get there.” Olivia ended the call, her mind racing. Who had taken Eunice, and how had they known enough to impersonate Christian? As fear churned in her chest, she forced herself to stay calm, knowing she needed to keep her head clear.Olivia quickly dialled Josh’s number, her hands trembling. He picked up almost immediately. “Olivia? What’s wrong?” Josh’s normally laid-back tone was laced with alarm. “Eunice... she’s gone,” Olivia said, barely able to keep her voice steady. “The teacher said someone who looked like me picked her up. Christian’s on his way, but I need you and Ruth to check if she somehow made it home.”“What?!” Josh barked, his disbelief evident. In the background, Olivia heard Ruth asking what was happening. “We’re on it,” Josh said firmly. “Stay calm. We’ll call you back as soon as we check the house.” Olivia
Chapter 87The sun rose over the Mason mansion, bathing its grand façade in golden light. Christian stood in the kitchen, dressed in a sharp navy suit, scanning through his emails on his phone while sipping his morning coffee. The distant sound of Eunice’s giggles echoed upstairs, followed by Olivia’s cheerful voice coaxing her to finish her breakfast.The excitement of the day was palpable. It was Parents’ Sports Day at Eunice’s school, and the young girl could barely contain her enthusiasm.“Uncle Christian! Olivia!” Eunice’s voice rang out as she bounded into the kitchen. She wore a bright yellow T-shirt with the school logo and black athletic shorts, her hair tied back in a ponytail that swayed as she moved.Christian smiled, setting down his coffee. “Ready for your big day, champ?”“More than ready!” Eunice grinned, clutching a water bottle and a small towel. “Are you coming with us?”Christian crouched to her level and brushed a stray strand of hair from her face. “I’ll drive yo
Chapter 86It was September already. Two months since Carey’s arrest and the end of their misery. The air was cool and filled with the faint scent of fall, signalling the start of a new chapter. Sunlight poured through the grand windows of the Mason mansion, casting a golden glow across the marble floors as the household stirred awake.Eunice’s excitement was infectious. She bounced down the stairs dressed in a neatly pressed uniform, her hair tied into two perfect braids adorned with small blue ribbons that matched her school colours. Her backpack was almost as big as she was, but the confident grin on her face made it seem like nothing could weigh her down.“Olivia! Uncle Christian! Are you ready yet?” Eunice called out, her voice echoing through the halls.“Someone’s excited,” Christian said, emerging from the kitchen with a cup of coffee in hand, dressed impeccably in his tailored suit. He ruffled Eunice’s hair playfully, earning a giggle.Olivia appeared moments later, balancing
Chapter 85The Mason mansion is suddenly alive with an air of celebration and gratitude, a stark contrast to the tensions that filled its halls for months until the day before. The soft glow of chandeliers reflected off the polished floors as Christian stood in the centre of the living room, his expression relaxed for the first time in what felt like forever.Olivia entered the room carrying a tray of champagne glasses and juice boxes. Her simple dress highlighted her elegance. Eunice trailed behind her, holding a plate of cookies, her face beaming with excitement.“Is everyone here yet?” Olivia asked as she set the tray down on the table.“Almost,” Christian replied, his gaze softening as it landed on her. “Josh just called. He and Ruth are on their way.”“Good,” Olivia said with a smile, glancing down at Eunice. “Go wash your hands before they get here, sweetheart.”Eunice nodded and hurried off, her footsteps echoing faintly in the distance.Minutes later, the doorbell rang, and Ch
Chapter 84Olivia perked up on the bed. “What good news? Is it about the recent happenings?" she asked eagerly.“Yes and no”, Christian said vaguely.“What do you mean by yes and no? Just choose one. Yes or no," she said, glaring at him.Christian sighed. “Josh didn’t say everything. He says he doesn’t want to jinx it, but when he confirms, he will tell me about it in the morning. We just need to wait."Olivia nodded in response, while Christina got on the bed and turned off the lights.The next morning, the first rays of sunlight spilled through the curtains of the master bedroom. Christian stirred, his arm resting protectively over Olivia as he blinked himself awake.Olivia lay beside him, still fast asleep, her features peaceful despite the storm they had faced. He watched her for a moment, marvelling at her resilience, before carefully slipping out of bed. He couldn’t afford to waste time—not with the opportunity they now had to strike back.Downstairs, Christian poured himself a
Chapter 83Time quickly rolled by, and it was already evening. The sun had already set on the other side of the city. Inside the Mason mansion, Olivia had just finished making some spaghetti. She stood by the kitchen window, watching Eunice play with her dolls in the dining room. Her earlier resolve to tell Christian about the phone call lingered in her mind, but the worry had begun to twist in her chest like a persistent ache.The sound of the front door opening broke her thoughts. Christian’s familiar stride echoed through the hall. He appeared in the kitchen doorway moments later, his tie loosened and a tired yet relieved look on his face.“Hey,” he greeted, his voice softening as his gaze landed on her. “Hey,” Olivia replied, brushing a stray curl off her face.Christian’s eyes shifted toward the patio. “She looks happy,” he said, nodding toward Eunice, whose laughter floated through the air.Olivia smiled faintly. “She had a good day. Her scrapbook is coming along. Glitter everyw
Chapter 82The dawn of a new week painted the Massachusetts skyline in hues of gold and rose. Inside the Mason estate, a tranquil scene unfolded. Olivia, with a gentle hum, prepared Eunice’s breakfast. The little girl, her usual sparkle dimmed by the post-graduation blues, was greeted with a plate of whimsical star-shaped pancakes. The sweet aroma of maple syrup filled the air, a comforting reminder of simpler times.Eunice’s eyes lit up, her frown melting away. She took a bite of the fluffy pancake, a smile spreading across her face. Olivia watched her daughter with a fond smile, relieved to see the return of her cheerful spirit. As they sat together, the warmth of the morning sun and the joy of a shared meal filled the room. It was a simple start to a new week, but it was a start filled with love and hope. Of course, threats from Carey and other unknown sources lurk behind the shadows somewhere.Christian entered the kitchen, already dressed in a sharp charcoal suit. He stopped to p