Ch. 116..120: Trapped in a Secret Marriage with a Dangerous Billionaire Chapter 116-120
Chapter 116: Olivia’s Obsession
Olivia crumpled to the floor in her office, her chest heaving with sobs as she clutched the fabric of her dress over her heart. Her tears fell freely, staining her cheeks as despair took hold.
The results of the task their late father had assigned, meant to prove her capability—were a crushing blow. She had lost. Again.
Her breaths came in short gasps, the weight of her failure suffocating her. "Why her? Why is it always her?" she muttered, her voice cracking with anguish. "How does she keep winning when she has no one? No one! Yet, she’s still better than me!"
Outside her office, the muffled sounds of her anguish had drawn her team’s attention. They exchanged nervous glances, unsure whether to intervene. Finally, one brave soul stepped forward, knocking softly on her door.
"Director Swift, are you okay? May I come in?" the voice called out hesitantly.
The sound of the knock jolted Olivia. Fury flashed in her tear-streaked eyes as she grabbed a pen holder from the floor and hurled it toward the door with all her strength. The sharp thud echoed loudly.
"Get out!" she shrieked, her voice trembling with rage. The team outside scattered instantly, retreating to their desks, their faces pale with alarm.
"I knew it was a bad idea trying to come to her aid," one of them mumbled.
"I heard she lost the COO position to her sister. Everyone, tread carefully around her," another said, his voice barely above a whisper.
---
Silence returned to the room, broken only by Olivia’s ragged breathing. She slumped onto the floor, her head resting against the edge of her overturned desk. Hot tears slid down her cheeks as she cupped her face in her hands.
"How do I always lose to her? Why can’t I win for once?" Her voice cracked under the weight of her heartbreak.
Minutes passed before she summoned the strength to get up. Wiping her swollen eyes with trembling hands, she fumbled through her handbag and retrieved her phone. With a deep, shuddering breath, she scrolled to her mother’s contact and dialled. The call connected almost immediately.
"Olivia?" Stella’s voice was laced with concern. "What’s wrong, dear? Why are you crying?"
"Mum," Olivia choked, her tears threatening to drown her words, "I lost to Aurora again."
"What do you mean, you lost?" Stella’s voice rose with panic. "What happened?"
Taking a shaky seat behind her desk, Olivia tried to steady herself but failed. "Aurora was appointed COO of Dad’s company. My Spraying Champagne lost to her Fruit Punch Champagne," she revealed, her voice breaking with every word. "She won, Mum. She always wins!"
Stella’s end of the line fell silent for a moment before her voice turned sharp. "That can’t be true! Your product was leading last night. I checked myself! Aurora must have tampered with the results. She’s manipulative—"
"No, Mum!" Olivia interrupted, her voice rising with frustration. "The data was real. They even offered to break it down for verification." Her words faltered as fresh tears blurred her vision. "You can’t even win against her, Mum. How can you help me if you can’t even beat her?"
She ended the call abruptly, slamming her phone onto the desk. It lay there, screen-down, as Stella tried calling back repeatedly. Olivia ignored each ring, her fists clenching tightly. Her voice dropped to a whisper, filled with quiet resolve. "I have to win against you. Just once."
---
Later that day, Aurora wrapped up her work with her team. They gathered in her office, the excitement still evident after she was appointed COO.
"You all can go ahead for the dinner at the five-star restaurant I reserved," she announced with a warm smile. "Unfortunately, I won’t be able to join you tonight, but feel free to enjoy yourselves."
Though a hint of disappointment crossed their faces, it was quickly replaced with gratitude as they thanked her warmly for her generous gesture once again.
Aurora’s phone vibrated as she stepped into the elevator. She glanced at the screen and her lips curled into a smile when she saw the caller ID. "Someone has lost his patience," she teased after answering.
"I don’t know what patience is when it comes to seeing my beautiful wife," Xander mused. From the back seat of his car, he added, "I’m waiting outside."
"I’ll be there in five," Aurora replied, her voice light with amusement. She made kissing sounds into the phone before hanging up, knowing it would make him grin.
---
Stepping out of the building, Aurora caught sight of Xander’s sleek car parked a short distance away. Her eyes lit up as they curved into joyful crescents. She didn’t have long to admire the view before Xander emerged, a bouquet in hand.
"Congratulations, Sweetheart," he greeted, handing her the stunning arrangement of orchids, pink carnations, calla lilies, and white roses.
Aurora’s face brightened as she took the bouquet. "Thank you. They’re gorgeous," she said, bringing the fragrant blooms to her nose before leaning in to hug him.
From the shadows of the building’s entrance, Olivia stepped out, her gaze narrowing as she spotted the scene. Her heart clenched painfully at the sight of Aurora in Xander’s embrace. Pulling her phone from her handbag, she zoomed in, snapping photo after photo of the pair.
Unaware of the unwanted audience, Aurora stepped back from Xander with a smile still playing on her lips. "The flowers smell amazing," she said, holding them up.
Xander who had caught Olivia’s solitude through his dark shades, opened the car’s back door and gestured for Aurora to get in. "I’ve made dinner reservations for us to celebrate your win.
Aurora hesitated briefly, glancing around. "I’ll go anywhere you take me," she replied softly before sliding into the car.
As the car pulled away, Olivia stood frozen, her hands trembling around her phone. Her lips pressed into a thin line as her mind raced. "Aurora," she whispered, her voice low and venomous, "believe me, you are finished. I am going to get back at you." Her grip tightened, and the phone in her hand creaked ominously
Chapter 117: A Celebratory Dinner
Aurora paused mid-step, stunned to see Abigail seated at the reserved table in the restaurant. Her eyes widened as she looked between her best friend and Xander, her surprise evident.
"I thought your best friend should be here to celebrate this milestone with you," Xander said, a soft smile tugging at his lips, his tone carrying warmth and pride.
Touched, Aurora hugged him tightly, her bouquet cradled carefully in one hand. "Thank you," she whispered before planting a tender kiss on his lips. Turning to Abigail, she pulled her into an embrace.
"Congratulations, Aura! I’m so proud of you!" Abigail exclaimed, her voice brimming with genuine joy.
Aurora smiled, her heart swelling with gratitude. "You’ve been part of my success story, Abby," she said earnestly.
Abigail giggled and pulled back, her eyes shimmering with happiness. "Aww, stop, or you’ll make me cry."
The three sat around the elegantly set table, the warm ambience of the restaurant enveloping them. As they settled in, Aurora turned to Xander. "What about Asher? He helped me a lot too. Didn’t you invite him?"
Xander hesitated, clearing his throat awkwardly. "Um... He will be here shortly," he assured her before excusing himself to make a quick phone call.
---
Left alone, Aurora turned to Abigail with a wide grin. "Abby, can you tell how happy I am tonight?"
"Of course, I can," Abigail replied, leaning closer with a playful smirk. "You look like you want to scream your lungs out but are forcing yourself to keep it together."
Aurora chuckled, giving her a thumbs-up. "Exactly. But don’t worry, I will scream it all out to Olivia’s face in my dreams tonight."
At the mention of Olivia, Abigail’s interest piqued. "Speaking of her, how did she react when you were officially crowned COO?"
Aurora smirked. "I didn’t spare her more than a few glances, but from what I saw, she looked like she was about to explode. Poor thing couldn’t even storm out—our Aunt threatened to demote her if she did."
Abigail threw her head back, laughing so hard that tears pricked the corners of her eyes. "Finally! She’s been overdue for a lesson like this. If she was that pained, why didn’t she just pass out instead of fuming?"
Aurora couldn’t help but laugh with her. "Passing out would have been too easy on her," she said, shaking her head. "No, she needed to stay conscious to witness every second of my crowning moment."
Abigail wiped a tear from her eye, her laughter subsiding into a mischievous grin. "Still, I have to give her credit for her strength. She’s got one heck of a shock absorber."
"You’re right about that," Aurora agreed. "But I’d bet good money she trashed her office the moment she got back."
"That’s a given," Abigail said with a knowing smirk. It was only right for Olivia to find a way to express her rage and shock, so destroying a few things was understandable.
Their conversation soon shifted to Aurora’s plans against Olivia and Stella, particularly their antics at the masquerade ball. Aurora explained how both women had tried to manipulate her against herself, revealing that their trap seemed to be working.
---
When Xander returned, the waitstaff began serving the dishes and drinks he had pre-ordered for their celebration. Shortly after, Asher arrived, his presence lighting up the table.
With a warm smile, he first greeted Xander with a handshake and a brief, brotherly hug before turning to Aurora. "Congratulations, Aurora, on this milestone. I’m genuinely happy for you," he said, his tone sincere. "And thank you for inviting me to dinner."
"You’re welcome," Aurora replied, her gratitude evident. "I should be the one thanking you for your help in promoting my champagne."
Asher chuckled lightly, brushing off her thanks. "It was my pleasure."
Turning to Abigail, Asher greeted her with a polite, as he settled into the seat next to hers. "Hello, Ms. Miller."
"Hello, Mr. Moore," Abigail replied, her tone cool as she avoided his gaze. Asher’s lips curled into a subtle smile before he turned his attention to the meal.
---
As dinner wound down, the conversations became quieter, filled with contented smiles and lighthearted remarks. Asher dabbed his lips with a napkin before asking Aurora, "When do you move into your new office?"
"Tomorrow," Aurora said, her tone brimming with pride. "Actually, I’ll have two offices now—one as the COO and the other as Marketing Head until a replacement is appointed for my previous position."
"Impressive," Asher remarked, giving her a thumbs-up. "You’ve earned it."
Abigail couldn’t help but add with a sly grin, "Some people will definitely cry themselves to sleep tonight."
Aurora laughed, imagining Olivia’s reaction. "Let them cry. I’ll be too busy celebrating to notice."
As the evening wrapped up, Xander, Aurora, Asher, and Abigail parted ways. The latter two promised to send official congratulations to her office the next day, leaving Aurora eagerly anticipating the drama to follow.
---
Back at home, Olivia skipped dinner with Owen and his parents, retreating to her room under the guise of being too tired to eat. She had spent the evening waiting for a call back from Nene after unsuccessfully demanding to speak to Mrs. Scott.
"What’s taking her so long?" Olivia muttered as she paced her room, clutching her phone. "How long does yoga even take?"
---
When Aurora returned home, Nene informed her of Olivia’s persistent calls and how she had used the yoga excuse to stall. Aurora smirked, amused by Olivia’s desperation.
"Let her wait a bit longer. She needs to understand that I’m not someone easily reachable just because she has something to say," Aurora said with a mischievous glint in her eyes before heading upstairs.
---
After a long shower, Aurora returned downstairs, refreshed and ready to face whatever drama Olivia had in store. She settled into the sofa, crossing her legs elegantly.
"Nene, call her back now. Let’s hear what this so-called ’important message’ is about." Aurora’s voice was calm, but her eyes glinted with anticipation.
"Yes, ma’am," Nene replied, already dialling.
Chapter 118: Offering A Juicy Opportunity
Nene dialled Olivia’s number and put the call on speaker before it was connected. When Olivia’s voice came through the line, it was desperate and urgent.
"Finally! I’ve been waiting for you to call back. Has Mrs. Scott finished her yoga session yet?" Olivia asked, barely concealing her frustration.
Nene, maintaining her professional demeanour, replied smoothly, "I’ll pass the phone to Mrs. Scott now." She ignored her questions and directly passed the phone to Aurora.
Taking the phone, Aurora’s composed voice floated through the line. "Good evening, Mrs. Owen," she greeted, her tone gentle but deliberate, a subtle jab at Olivia’s position.
On the other end, Olivia straightened up, clutching the phone tightly. "Good evening, Mrs. Scott. It’s Olivia Swift. I apologize for disturbing you at this late hour."
"It’s fine. Please go ahead," Aurora said, her tone polite yet clipped, making it clear she didn’t intend to entertain idle chatter.
Olivia wasted no time. "Today, I came across something I thought you might want to know," she began, pausing dramatically to build tension before continuing. "It’s about your husband and my sister."
Aurora raised a brow, her tone tinged with feigned curiosity. "My husband and your sister? What exactly are you referring to?"
Smirking to herself, Olivia could barely contain her triumph. No woman would be able to resist hearing about her husband, especially when he is involved with another woman likely to threaten their marriage.
"Do you remember me mentioning that your husband has been the grand sponsor of my sister’s champagne? Well, earlier today, Aurora was appointed COO of our family wine company, all thanks to his support. I doubt you’re aware, given how busy you are with your travels."
"Is that so?" Aurora’s voice held a trace of venom, hinting at her annoyance over the development to Olivia.
"Yes. Mr. Scott single-handedly invited dignitaries to my sister’s champagne launch, which is why her champagne is thriving now," Olivia continued. "He even went to Vintage Cellar today to congratulate her personally, bringing her a bouquet. They greeted each other a little warmly before leaving together."
Pausing for effect, Olivia added, "I’ve just sent you some photos I took earlier as proof. Please check your phone."
"Mrs. Owen, if I may ask, why did you choose to throw your sister under the bus? Isn’t Aurora your sister?" Aurora probed.
"Aurora is my sister," Olivia confirmed. "But I can no longer condone her ugly attitude of trying to snatch another woman’s husband. I don’t know if you have heard of this, Aurora used to date my husband but he broke up with her because of this side of hers. And she’s also the reason Owen and I are having misunderstandings currently."
Aurora rolled her eyes and handed the phone to Nene, who quickly navigated to the gallery and found the images Olivia had forwarded. Passing the phone back to Aurora, Nene whispered, "Here they are, ma’am."
Aurora’s eyes scanned the photos, her expression unreadable save for the slight upward twitch of her lips. She immediately recognized Xander’s grand gestures for what they were—a calculated performance. He must have noticed Olivia snapping pictures and deliberately played along.
It was no wonder he sounded mysterious after he asked for the date the COO position would be announced. It turned out that this was his plan.
"This woman has a lot of nerve," Aurora murmured, loud enough for Olivia to hear.
Olivia, mistaking Aurora’s tone for anger directed at her husband, smiled triumphantly. She believed her plan to stir trouble had worked.
Aurora, however, quickly dashed her hopes. "Mrs. Owen, thank you for the photos, but I don’t believe in open confrontations. I won’t deal with your sister directly."
The disappointment in Olivia’s voice was palpable. "Are you saying you will let her continue pursuing your husband? Why would you let this go?"
Aurora’s tone shifted, firm and tinged with offense. "Who said I’m letting it go? I don’t tolerate women overstepping their boundaries with my husband. Never!"
Olivia’s smirk returned. ’That’s more like it,’ she thought to herself. Aloud, she asked, "So, how do you plan to handle this?"
Aurora’s voice softened, a sly edge creeping in. "You, Mrs. Owen. You’ll help me."
"Me?" Olivia echoed, genuinely taken aback. "How can I help?"
Aurora smirked, exchanging a knowing glance with Nene before replying, "I need you to get me something on your sister—a worthy private detail I can use as leverage. Once you have it, we will discuss it over dinner at my house. As friends."
The enticing offer left Olivia speechless. Being invited to Mrs. Scott’s grand home and gaining access to her connections was a dream come true. Olivia’s ambitions quickly overrode any other thoughts.
"Goodnight, Mrs. Owen," Aurora said before hanging up, not giving Olivia the chance to respond further.
Handing the phone back to Nene, Aurora leaned back with a satisfied smile.
"Ma’am, there’s no way she will refuse this offer," Nene said, admiration in her tone. "Becoming friends with Mrs. Scott is too tempting to resist."
Aurora nodded knowingly. "I bet she would need some time to weigh my offer. And if she wants to be smart, she won’t involve her mother on this one."
Nene chuckled, then asked curiously, "Why did you keep calling her ’Mrs. Owen’?"
Aurora’s smile deepened. "Her relationship with Owen is already beyond repair. My deliberate act of addressing her constantly as ’Mrs. Owen’ was to remind her of it."
---
~OCTAVIA EMPIRE~
In the royal palace of Octavia, the Princess sat in her opulent study, her sharp features illuminated by the warm glow of a nearby lamp. Her secretary entered, bowing deeply before presenting her with a tablet.
"Your Highness, this is the picture you requested."
The Princess took the tablet, her keen eyes scanning the screen. The photo showed Aurora, poised and elegant in a female business suit.
"So, this is what that woman looks like," the Princess mused, her voice dripping with contempt.
"Yes, Your Highness," the secretary replied.
"What about his wife? Any images from the masquerade ball?"
"My apologies, Your Highness. The ball was private, and no photographs were released."
The Princess’s gaze lingered on the image, her thoughts racing. "The Alexander I know would never cheat on his partner," she murmured. Then, her lips curved into a determined smile. "It seems it’s time for a diplomatic visit to Wing City."
Chapter 119: Invitation From the Old House
TUESDAY.
The Swift’s Residence.
Stella stormed into the dining room, her heels clicking sharply against the tiled floor, her face flushed with anger. As her gaze landed on Stephanie calmly sipping her tea at the head of the table, she didn’t bother with pleasantries.
"I heard you made Aurora the COO of Vintage Cellar!" Stella’s voice trembled with rage, her hands curling into fists. "Why would you do a thing like that?"
Stephanie’s eyes flicked up, her expression calm. She set her teacup down with a measured grace, her voice cool and unbothered. "Good morning to you too, Mrs. Swift. I assume you don’t expect me to answer that question."
"Oh, I do!" Stella’s voice rose as she slammed her palms onto the table, the vibrations rattling the silverware. "In fact, I demand it as you’re in my house!"
"Wrong!" Stephanie snapped her gaze to her, her tone icy. "This place remains my brother’s and now, it’s ours to run. So, you can’t stand there and demand that I answer your stupid question!"
"Stephanie!" Stella growled, wishing that she could get rid of this hard nut-to-crack sister-in-law’s of hers and finally have all the power and authority to herself.
Stephanie dropped her cutlery, causing the metals to make a ’clank’ sound as they touched the ceramic plate. "It’s too early to lose your senses. How are you going to cope for the rest of today?" she asked, turning to meet her death stare.
"You!" Stella was tongue-tied for almost a minute. Finally, when she found her voice, she pulled out a seat for herself and settled down. "You must be really proud of yourself to be running Vintage Cellar as you please after your brother bequeathed the rights to you."
"Proud? Absolutely. It’s the smartest decision he ever made," Stephanie replied, her tone effortlessly dismissive.
Stella leaned forward, her voice dropping into a menacing whisper. "Mark my words, Stephanie. Don’t even think about passing Vintage Cellar to any of your children. That company belongs to Olivia. And it’s hers to run in the future."
Stephanie chuckled lightly, the sound tinged with mockery. "Stella, I’m sorry to burst your bubbles, but that ’future’ you speak of will never come. And the earlier you accept it, the better for you."
Stella’s hands balled into fists under the table as her composure cracked.
---
The Scott Family’s Old House.
The patio of the old Scott family home was a picture of tranquillity, framed by blooming roses and the distant sound of chirping birds. Richard and Patricia, Owen’s parents, sat with the old Scott couple, enjoying tea under the morning sun.
Patricia set her teacup down abruptly, a thoughtful frown creasing her brow. "Uncle, Aunty, have you spoken to Xander about formally introducing his wife to the family?"
Old Mrs. Scott tilted her head, a soft smile playing on her lips. "I believe he will when the time feels right."
Patricia’s brows furrowed further. "When will that be, Aunty? He has already introduced her to society during the masquerade ball he hosted for her last Saturday."
Both Old Mr. and Mrs. Scott paused mid-sip, exchanging surprised glances. "Xander threw a masquerade ball for his wife?"
Richard nodded. "Yes, father. He invited us, but only Owen and Olivia attended. They met his wife. She appears to be a foreigner."
The revelation left the Scotts momentarily speechless. As soon as Patricia and Richard departed, Old Mrs. Scott picked up her phone and dialled Xander. After two rings, his familiar voice greeted her warmly.
"Mama," he said.
Her tone was far from welcoming. "So, you’ve decided not to introduce your wife to us? Is that why you haven’t visited?"
Xander’s brows furrowed. "What makes you say that?"
"We heard about the masquerade ball. You introduced her to the entire city but didn’t think of your family. Did you consider how we’d feel?"
Understanding dawned on Xander, and he smiled faintly. "The ball was just for fun, Mama. Besides—"
"Bring your wife to breakfast tomorrow," Old Mr. Scott interjected sternly, taking the phone from his wife. Before Xander could respond, the call ended.
Old Mrs. Scott sighed, her hands trembling slightly. "Do you think he will come?"
Her husband’s voice was firm. "He is our son. He knows we’re right. He has no other choice."
---
Xander’s Residence.
Xander set his phone down with a sigh and turned to Aurora, who sat next to him, dressed impeccably in a white suit.
"My parents are upset," he began, his voice laced with regret. "They want us to join them for breakfast tomorrow. They feel slighted because I introduced you to society before them."
Aurora’s expression softened. "Their feelings are valid," she admitted with a gentle smile. "We owe them this visit."
Xander nodded. "But breakfast? We will be late for work."
Aurora waved a dismissive hand. "It doesn’t matter. We owe them this much. I’ll pick up some gifts on my way home."
Her sincerity brought a smile to his lips. "You’re incredible, you know that?"
---
Vintage Cellar.
Aurora arrived at Vintage Cellar to a grand reception. Staff members lined up outside the building, cheering as Stephanie took Aurora’s hand and led her inside. The atmosphere was electric, with applause echoing through the halls.
Olivia, however, was conspicuously absent, having feigned a stomach ache to hide in the restroom.
Inside Aurora’s new office, a bottle of her Fruit Punch Champagne was opened, and glasses were raised in a celebratory toast. Aurora’s heart swelled with pride as she glanced around the room. Her office overflowed with congratulatory bouquets and gifts, their colours brightening the space.
Stephanie approached her with a proud smile. "Congratulations once again, Aurora. Your father would be so proud."
Aurora’s smile faltered momentarily as conflicting emotions surged within her. She nodded, murmuring her thanks.
As others lined up to shake her hand, a commanding voice cut through the room.
"Congratulations, Aurora!"
Heads turned toward the door, and Aurora’s breath caught. Olivia entered, her smile strained, but it wasn’t her who stole the spotlight. Standing beside her was Victor, holding a stunning bouquet and radiating charm.
Aurora’s pulse quickened as Victor stepped forward, his gaze locking with hers. The room grew silent, all eyes fixed on the unexpected arrival.
’What on earth is this bastard doing here?’ Aurora thought to herself as anger surged through her.
Chapter 120: Dealing with the Situation
Aurora vividly recalled Xander mentioning that Victor was now working for him in disguise. But seeing him at Vintage Cellar, congratulating her in front of everyone, felt like an ambush. She couldn’t make sense of why he was there, especially during such a pivotal moment in her career.
Still processing the situation, Aurora caught Olivia’s smirk, the telltale glint of malice sparkling in her eyes. Sensing her sister’s scheme brewing, Aurora braced herself.
Olivia seized the silence to strike, her voice laced with triumph. "Sister, look who I bumped into in the hall, looking for you. Turns out the famous Victor is your friend!"
Aurora’s brows knitted together, her confusion evident. "Friend?" she repeated, her tone sharp, breaking the hush in the room. Turning her full attention to Victor, she asked, "Have I met your acquaintance before?"
Victor cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable. Before he could respond, Olivia jumped in, her voice filled with fake innocence. "Oh, come on, are you going to deny it now?"
Victor cut her off swiftly, locking his gaze on Aurora. His tone was composed yet apologetic. "Not really. You could say I’m a fan of yours and wanted to personally congratulate you." He stepped forward, extending the bouquet he held. But Olivia wasn’t done.
"Don’t be shy," she cooed, her smirk deepening as she addressed Victor. "Tell her you’ve been the one sending her bouquets every Wednesday. I mean, secrets shouldn’t be kept between friends."
The room buzzed with whispers as the staff exchanged glances, Olivia’s words landing like a bombshell. Aurora’s fists clenched tightly at her sides, her face burning with embarrassment and anger. She hadn’t anticipated such a blatant public spectacle orchestrated by Olivia.
While it was true that she had been expecting a little drama today, it was not to this level.
’Well played, Olivia,’ she thought bitterly. But she wasn’t about to let Olivia win this round.
Stephanie cleared her throat pointedly, her subtle cue snapping Aurora out of her shock. This was her mess to clean up, and Aurora knew it. Straightening her shoulders, she met Victor’s gaze, her voice icy but controlled.
"Mr. Victor," she began, her tone cutting through the murmurs like a blade, "I do not appreciate unsolicited gifts at my workplace, especially from someone I do not know. Barging into my office with my sister’s help to congratulate me is both embarrassing and unacceptable. I will consider this harassment and be prepared to let my lawyer handle it."
The declaration stunned the room into silence, Olivia included. Gasps rippled across the audience as they processed the weight of Aurora’s words.
Olivia quickly recovered, folding her arms and letting out a scoff. "Are you trying to rid yourself of your friend just because you’re ashamed of his reputation as a playboy?"
Aurora’s gaze snapped to Olivia, her fury simmering beneath her poised exterior. She refused to give her the satisfaction of breaking down.
"Olivia," Aurora said with a warning edge, her voice rising just enough to command attention, "if you don’t stop spouting nonsense and making a fool of yourself, I will sue you for aiding a stalker and compromising my safety."
Olivia’s smirk faltered, her confidence visibly shaken. Victor, sensing the gravity of the situation, stepped back and muttered a quick apology before leaving the office altogether.
Stephanie took control, stepping forward with an authoritative air. Her sharp tone cut through the awkward silence. "Director Olivia," she began, her words deliberate, "if you’ve lost the task assigned by your late father, you should acknowledge it gracefully. Stop embarrassing yourself and causing trouble for your sister. As your aunt, I cannot let this continue unchecked."
Olivia’s cheeks burned with humiliation as the staff whispered amongst themselves. She stormed out of the room without another word, leaving Aurora to breathe a sigh of relief.
---
Back in her office, Olivia slammed the door shut and collapsed into her chair, her emotions threatening to spill over. Anger coursed through her veins as she grabbed her phone and dialled her mother’s number.
"Does your sister like the gift I sent to mark her first day as COO?" Stella greeted with a light chuckle, oblivious to her daughter’s state.
"Can you stop laughing?" Olivia snapped, her voice trembling with rage.
Stella’s amusement faded instantly. "Is something wrong? What happened?"
"Yes! You’re the problem!" Olivia barked, her grip tightening around her phone.
"What do you mean by that?" Stella demanded, her tone defensive but filled with curiosity as she sat upright on the sofa.
"Did you think sending Victor here would solve anything? Instead of dealing with Aurora, you left me to be humiliated! She threatened me in front of everyone, and now I look like an idiot! You can’t even do your job well!"
Stella, caught off guard, struggled to respond. "Olivia, calm down. I didn’t... How did it Aurora—?"
"Save it!" Olivia interrupted, wiping away a single tear that escaped down her cheek. "If you can’t guarantee success with your schemes, then don’t involve me at all or don’t even get started with it in the first place! I don’t need more embarrassment!"
Before Stella could respond, Olivia ended the call and hurled her phone onto her desk. Pounding her fists against the wood, she muttered angrily, "That bitch keeps winning, and I’m the one left picking up the pieces!"
---
Meanwhile, back in her new office, Aurora finally had a moment of peace. The staff had been dismissed, and the celebratory atmosphere had quieted down. She took a moment to admire the space. The decor was exquisite, with modern furnishings, a sleek sitting area, and a private ensuite bathroom.
Aurora pulled out her phone to snap a few pictures and videos, sending them to Xander with a message of gratitude.
But her satisfaction was short-lived as Victor’s stunt came back to her mind. Furrowing her brows, she shot Xander a text.
"Victor came to my office and caused a scene. I thought you were keeping an eye on him. How could this happen?"
Xander’s response came swiftly.
"My eyes are only on you, Sweetheart. Other people’s existence doesn’t matter."
Aurora rolled her eyes at his playful reply, though it did bring a slight curve to her lips.
"Be serious, Xander. I’m not joking. How could Victor act independently without your knowledge?"
Xander’s delayed response left her staring at her phone, pondering just how far Victor’s actions extended—and whether Xander truly had a handle on the situation.
"I’m sorry, Sweetheart," Xander’s response carried a rare note of regret over the phone. "Victor was forced to act because Stella had started suspecting him. She noticed he wasn’t following through with her tasks as he used to. He thought this stunt would throw her off."
Aurora ran her fingers through her hair, exhaling a sharp sigh. The humiliation from Victor’s public stunt still burned her pride.
Even if he was under Stella’s orders, it didn’t excuse his audacity, especially after the liberties he had once tried to take with her. So, she quit sending texts over to Xander and directly phoned him.