Ch. 191..195: Trapped in a Secret Marriage with a Dangerous Billionaire Chapter 191-195
Chapter 191: Irresistible Moans
Xander watched with satisfaction as she wriggled her body, her core swollen with need.
Smirking, he lowered himself and captured her lips in a fiery kiss as his right hand moved to grab her boobs.
Immediately, her lips parted, welcoming his tongue hungrily. She didn’t mind that he still had the taste of her core in his tongue.
Aurora swallowed a moan when his other hand found its way between her legs. Two fingers caressed her sticky wet folds before diving deep into her core to fuck her.
Unable to bear the heated pleasure, Aurora began to rock her lips while moaning continuously into Xander’s mouth. If it wasn’t for the fact that he kept her mind occupied, she would have wondered how he was able to multi-task right now.
While his lips captured her mouth hole, his right hand went to her boob to squeeze it while his other hand sneaked between her legs to fuck her.
What surprised her most was the fact that he was able to do all these things without missing a beat.
"Amphrh..." Aurora cried, wrapping her arms around his back to demand more of him.
Right now, she wanted his cock deep inside her to fuck her brains out. And as if guessing her pleas through her little actions, Xander released her lips and withdrew his hands.
"Sweetheart, I’m going to fuck you until you pass out," Xander said, meeting her seductive gaze that had turned teary as he pressed his erection to her lower belly so she could understand what he was talking about.
"That’s how badly I want you," he whispered in her ears, letting his warm breath fan the side of her neck.
Without wasting time, he positioned himself properly between her and sneaked his arms from under her thighs to hold her legs properly. A second later, he fixed the head of his cock on her entrance and slowly drew circles along the path.
A groan escaped Xander’s lips from that slow dangerous movement while Aurora palmed her lips to stifle the loud moans already at the tip of her tongue.
"I want to hear your moans baby, otherwise, how would I know if I’m doing a good job?" Xander pleaded as his gaze found hers for a few moments before moving back to her core.
"Fuck me, Xander!" Aurora roared in frustration as her hands sneaked around his waist before pulling his hips closer. She was going to force him inside her, but he speedily resisted her.
"I’m going to fuck you, babe, trust me," Xander promised, leaning in to kiss her lips sensually. It made her mad. "Just give me a moment."
Aurora couldn’t take any more delays. Deciding to take laws into her own hands, she withdrew her hand and moved it quickly to her stomach. Before Xander could stop her having understood her next actions, she touched her clits and slowly began to pleasure herself as more moans escaped her lips.
Instantly, Xander’s gaze darkened as something sinister struck him.
How could his wife help herself when he was already doing that for her? It just goes to show that he wasn’t doing a good job.
With that anger and pride shimmering in his heart, he stopped moving around her in small circles and directly plunged himself inside her without warning.
"Since you don’t plan on listening to me. I’m going to do whatever the fuck I want," he said through gritted teeth as pulled out of her and quickly slammed inside her again.
Aurora choked on her moan with his sudden actions as tears appeared in the corner of her eyes. She stopped touching herself and quickly clung to his skin as his thrusts started to come faster and harder.
She could tell he was angry by the way he was fucking her, but deep down in her heart, she knew he would never hurt her no matter what.
"Next time. You will. Listen. To. Me!" Xander said as he met her gaze. He buried his length deep inside of her and fucked her in that position for a minute straight and right as her moans grew louder, he suddenly pulled out of her.
"Xander!" Aurora called in a tone mixed with disappointment, shock and anger.
"Shhhh." He shushed her before going down on her with his mouth. Aurora cried as she reached for anything to clutch onto. She ended up scratching his back as he dipped his tongue into her core before slowly grazing it with his teeth.
Aurora felt like a million ants were crawling on her skin. She begged Xander to fuck her while promising to be obedient next time. Unfortunately, Xander wasn’t done teaching her a lesson, so he wasn’t through with teasing her.
Aurora’s cries filled the room as she tried to push his head deeper inside her. It was either he ate her completely with his mouth or he fucked her with his thick hard length. She just couldn’t tolerate him licking and grazing her.
He was going to drive her crazy if he didn’t stop.
"Please... X-xander please..." she begged as she arched her back with her eyes half-shut.
"Please what?" Xander asked, finally lifting his gaze. Seeing the tears strolling down the side of her face, he brought his thumb up to wipe it off. "What do you want, Sweetheart?" he asked, looking into her teary eyes.
Aurora whimpered, struggling to keep her waist in place. The lingering sensation of his teeth on her core still drove her wild. "I want you."
"Okay," Xander replied as he leaned in to capture her lips softly. At the same time, he grabbed his length and slowly guided it inside her without looking.
And then gently, he began to move his hips against hers as his hands wrapped around her waist. Once again, Aurora began to moan as she circled her arms around him with half-closed eyes.
Xander fucked her in that position for another minute before withdrawing and turning her over. He made her stay on her hands and knees before positioning himself from behind. And without wasting a second, he slowly guided himself inside as his hands stretched forth to grab her boobs.
Slamming inside her from behind, he began to pound her while his hands gently squeezed her boobs as her loud uncontrolled moans filled his ears.
Chapter 192: A Hell of a Favour
Vintage Cellar
Olivia’s furious protests echoed through the lobby as two security guards escorted her to the elevator. Her arms flailed, and her voice was shrill. "Let me go! You can’t treat me like this!"
One of the guards, unfazed, pressed the elevator button. "The Chairwoman wants to see you," he replied curtly.
Olivia huffed, her frustration spilling over as she was all but dragged inside the elevator. Her heels clicked sharply against the tiled floor, the sound betraying her rising temper.
When the elevator doors opened, Olivia was led to Stephanie’s office. Stephanie’s secretary knocked once, opened the door, and gestured for Olivia to step inside.
"Aunt, I heard you wanted to see me," Olivia said, her voice laced with irritation as she found a seat for herself without waiting for permission.
Stephanie lifted her gaze slowly, her composed demeanor masking the storm brewing underneath. "Indeed, Olivia," she began calmly, folding her hands on the desk. "I’ve heard about the commotion you caused in the lobby. Care to explain?"
Olivia shrugged, her tone dismissive. "It was just a minor misunderstanding with Aurora. Nothing worth all this fuss."
Stephanie’s gaze hardened. "A minor misunderstanding?" Her voice dropped, dangerously quiet. "How, then, did this minor misunderstanding draw a crowd of onlookers filming you while you attempted to physically assault your sister?"
Olivia’s bravado faltered, but she tried to recover. "People love poking their noses where they don’t belong. We are Swift women—married into the Scott family. Naturally, people are interested in us."
Stephanie let out a slow, angry breath, her calm demeanor giving way to sharp disapproval. "Olivia, I saw what happened in the lobby. Do you understand the disgrace you’ve brought to this family and the company by behaving like a madwoman? In public, no less?"
Olivia’s cheeks burned with shame, but she refused to back down entirely. She clenched her fists and lowered her gaze, biting back the sarcastic retort sitting on the tip of her tongue.
"If you want to ruin your life, Olivia, that’s your prerogative," Stephanie continued coldly. "But do not—under any circumstances—drag Vintage Cellar down with you. This is your last warning."
Olivia exhaled a shaky breath, relief trickling in as she thought the scolding was over. But her stomach dropped when Stephanie reached for a white envelope on her desk and slid it toward her.
"You’ve been placed on indefinite suspension," Stephanie announced, her voice leaving no room for argument. "This is your punishment for nearly tarnishing the company’s image. Go home and reflect on yourself. If I don’t see positive changes, consider your position here permanently revoked."
Olivia’s fingers curled tightly around the envelope, her knuckles turning white as her anger boiled over. She wanted to protest and tell her Aunt that she had no right to force her to take a step back from the company, but knew that arguing further would only worsen her situation.
---
Xander’s Private Residence
The sound of running water filled the bathroom as Aurora stood under the shower, the heat soothing her frayed nerves after several rounds of sex.
Her phone buzzed in the bedroom, catching Xander’s attention. He picked it up and glanced at the screen.
"It’s your stepmother," he called out as he stepped into the bathroom, phone in hand. He leaned in to press a quick kiss on her lips before placing the phone on the counter and leaving her to take the call.
Aurora sighed and turned off the shower, wrapping herself in a towel before picking up the phone. "Hello, Mrs. Swift," she greeted, her tone devoid of emotion.
Stella’s voice carried an edge of false warmth. "Aurora, how are you? I was just wondering how the investigation into your father’s case is progressing."
Aurora chose her words carefully. "The police haven’t updated me yet. I’m sure they will contact me once there’s any new information."
Stella’s frustration seeped into her voice despite her attempts to mask it. "And what about the evidence? What exactly did you give them to reopen the case?"
Aurora’s lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "That’s confidential. Even I haven’t seen the evidence. The police are handling everything."
Her evasive answers only served to infuriate Stella further. "Do you realize the damage this investigation could cause? If the world learns your father was actually murdered and not gone from the heart attack we claimed, it could destroy his legacy—and you will be the one held responsible!"
Aurora’s tone remained calm, even amused. "No one outside our immediate family knows about this. So unless someone leaks information, there’s no need to worry."
Stella ended the call abruptly, leaving Aurora with a satisfied smirk.
---
After handing Aurora her phone, Xander picked up his own from the nightstand. Scrolling through his call log, he dialled Asher’s number.
"Xander," Asher greeted warmly. "What’s going on?"
"I need a favor," Xander said, his tone leaving no room for refusal. "I want Olivia kidnapped for two to three days."
There was a pause before Asher chuckled dryly. "That’s a hell of a favor. What’s the plan after I grab her?"
"Keep her comfortable and out of sight," Xander replied. "I want Stella distracted, too preoccupied to interfere with the police investigation."
Asher sighed but didn’t argue. "Fine. I’ll take care of it."
"Thanks," Xander said before ending the call, a cold determination settling over him.
---
The Swift Family Residence
Stella paced her bedroom, her mind racing after her conversation with Aurora. Panic clawed at her chest as she considered the possibility that the police might already have evidence linking her to Adam’s murder.
She thought about calling the authorities to probe for information but decided against it—any suspicion would only make matters worse.
Her phone buzzed, and she answered quickly, relief washing over her when she heard the voice of Olivia’s assistant.
"Ma’am," the young woman began hesitantly, "Director Olivia caused a scene at the company today. She tried to attack Director Aurora in the lobby, and people filmed it. The Chairwoman has indefinitely suspended her as punishment."
Stella’s hand trembled, and her phone slipped from her grasp, falling onto the plush carpet. Her worst fears were coming true, and she could feel her carefully constructed facade beginning to crack.
Chapter 193: A Walking Disaster
Xander’s Private Residence
Aurora stepped into the bedroom wearing soft loungewear, her damp hair falling over her shoulders. She spotted Xander sitting at the foot of the bed, his phone in hand, typing something with a concentrated look.
"Stella thinks she’s smart." she began, walking toward him.
Xander glanced up, setting his phone aside. "Let me guess—trying to fish for information regarding the case?"
Aurora nodded, perching herself on the edge of the bed next to him "She’s desperate now, you can feel it in her voice. The guilt is eating her alive, but she’s trying to cover it up by heaping blames on me."
Xander smirked knowingly. "Of course she’s desperate. She knows the clock is ticking. When the case is reopened, her lies and secrets will be dragged out into the open."
Aurora sighed, her lips curving into a wry smile. "Let her try all she wants. She can’t escape the truth or the justice waiting for her."
Without a word, Xander pulled her into his lap, wrapping his arms around her waist. He nuzzled the curve of her neck, his warm breath sending a pleasant shiver down her spine.
"You know," he murmured, his voice laced with mischief, "I wonder if you will be able to walk by the time I’m done with you tonight."
Aurora chuckled, tilting her head to meet his gaze. "You’ll have to try harder, Mr. Scott," she teased, her eyes glinting with challenge as if she wasn’t tired from the rounds of love making earlier.
"Oh, is that so?" Xander grinned and suddenly tackled her onto the bed. His fingers danced along her sides, tickling her mercilessly until her laughter filled the room.
"Stop! Xander!" Aurora gasped between fits of giggles, trying to push his hands away. But his laughter joined hers, the moment dissolving into a carefree intimacy that erased the tension from earlier.
---
The Swift Family’s Residence
Stella’s pacing grew frantic as her thoughts spiraled into chaos. The phone call about Olivia’s suspension replayed in her mind, amplifying her frustration.
"I knew it," Stella hissed, gripping her hair in both hands. "Stephanie’s been waiting for this moment to get Olivia out of the company, and that foolish girl walked straight into her trap!"
She paused, her chest heaving as anger and panic warred within her. "Why didn’t she just listen to me?" Stella muttered, her voice trembling. "Why did she have to embarrass herself and the family like that?"
With a frustrated growl, she snatched her phone from the rug and dialled Olivia’s number. It rang once, twice... and went to voicemail. Stella redialled, but the result was the same.
Finally, in a fit of rage, she hurled the phone onto the bed and planted her hands on her hips. "That useless child will destroy everything I’ve worked for!"
---
That late evening, Tea Time Gossip Blog released another juicy article, sparking a wildfire of online chatter.
"Olivia Swift’s Unraveling Saga Continues: From Divorce Papers to Public Brawls!"
The article began with a vivid recount of the scene at Vintage Cellar’s lobby, detailing how Olivia had been restrained by two security guards while attempting to assault Aurora.
In one photo, Olivia was seen being held back, her face contorted with rage. In another, Aurora maintained a calm demeanor amidst the chaos.
"Is Olivia Swift losing her grip on reality?" the article questioned. "After her husband, Owen, publicly served her divorce papers earlier today, Olivia seems to have chosen the worst way to vent her frustrations—by attacking her sister, Aurora, in the lobby of Vintage Cellar. The very same sister she claimed to have a good relationship with during her now-infamous LIVE podcast."
The article concluded with biting commentary. "Olivia’s actions not only embarrass her but also tarnish the image of the Swift and Scott families. Perhaps what this woman truly needs is professional help."
Readers flooded the comments section, each more scathing than the last:
Systablaze: "Didn’t she claim everything was fine with her sister? What a pathological liar."
MomOf4: "She’s unraveling faster than a cheap sweater. Someone call the psych ward."
Phillipians4:16: "How do you mess up your reputation this badly in one week? Olivia needs a reality check ASAP."
LOL: "Olivia is determined to turn herself into a meme. Someone stop her before she does more damage."
---
The Scott Family’s main Residence.
Owen scrolled through the article on his phone, his brows furrowing deeper with each line. He couldn’t believe the depths of Olivia’s antics. By the time he went downstairs for dinner, his parents were already discussing the scandal.
"That girl will ruin our reputation if she hasn’t already," Patricia fumed, her knife clinking sharply against her plate.
Richard snorted. "She’s a walking disaster. We need to cut her off immediately."
As Owen pulled out his chair, Patricia turned to him. "Did you see Tea Time’s latest article?"
Owen nodded, piling food onto his plate without a word.
Richard glared at him. "This is your fault! You should never have served her divorce papers so publicly. Now look—our family’s name is dragged into her mess!"
Owen’s jaw tightened. "I had no choice," he said defensively. "She’s been going around telling people we’re happily married. The only way to force her hand was to do it publicly."
Richard huffed, crossing his arms. "If you’d stayed faithful to Aurora, we wouldn’t be in this situation."
Owen didn’t respond, shame flickering in his eyes as he took a bite of his food. He hated himself for ever getting involved with Olivia. Now look where it landed him.
"Where is she now?" Patricia asked, her voice laced with exhaustion.
"Probably ran back to her mother’s house after today’s embarrassment," Owen muttered without a care.
---
A Bar in Wing City
Meanwhile, Olivia sat alone at a dimly lit bar, downing glass after glass of beer. Her makeup was smudged, and her eyes were puffy from hours of crying. She slammed an empty glass onto the table, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand before signaling for more.
A passing waiter paused to take her order. "Another round," she demanded, her voice slurred.
The waiter nodded and made his way to the bar, where the bartender glanced toward a man sitting in a shadowy corner. Dressed in a black polo and jeans, the man gave a subtle nod, and the bartender mirrored the gesture.
The bartender poured two glasses of beer but discreetly added a powdered substance to two of them. He stirred them quickly, ensuring it dissolved before placing both glasses on the waiter’s tray.
The waiter returned to Olivia’s table, setting the drinks down. Oblivious to the danger, Olivia grabbed one of the glasses and chugged it down without hesitation.
Chapter 194: Middle of Nowhere
Unaware her drinks had been drugged, Olivia grabbed the first glass and chugged the beer down. The bitterness barely registered on her tongue as frustration and rage consumed her thoughts.
"Talk about a shitty day!" she muttered, slamming the empty glass onto the table and reaching for the second. Her movements grew sluggish, her grip unsteady, but she still brought the drink to her lips.
Moments later, Olivia felt her head spin. Her vision blurred, and her body seemed to weigh a ton. Scoffing to herself, she muttered, "Great. Even my drinks are betraying me now." She tried to fight the drowsiness, but it was a losing battle.
Her eyelids fluttered shut, and her body slumped onto the table.
From the shadowy corner of the bar, the man in a black polo rose. Moving with practiced ease, he approached Olivia, scooped her up into his arms, and carried her out of the bar as if she were merely a sleeping passenger.
---
Xander’s Private Residence
The next morning, Xander stood before the full-length mirror in his walk-in closet, buttoning his crisp white shirt. His movements were deliberate, his sharp eyes focused on his reflection as he adjusted his cuffs.
Aurora, seated on the plush couch, slipped on her YSL heels. Once finished, she rose, grabbed her sleek handbag, and approached Xander. Standing on her tiptoes, she pressed a light kiss to his cheek.
"See you at breakfast," she said with a soft smile.
Xander smirked, his eyes twinkling with warmth. "See you," he replied, his eyes on her. And he didn’t miss a beat when he slapped her ass as she walked passed him to leave the closet.
Once alone, Xander reached for his tie but was interrupted by the chime of his phone he left in the room. Regardless, he made sure to finish knotting his tie before going to the bedroom.
He found his phone on the nightstand. Picking it up, he saw Asher’s name on the screen and answered swiftly.
"Good morning, Lex," Asher’s voice came through, casual but direct.
"Good morning," Xander replied, his tone calm and collected, knowing that his best friend had some good news to share. "Is the target secure?"
"Completely," Asher confirmed. "Everything went smoothly. And like you insisted, her stay will be comfortable."
"Good," Xander said, satisfaction evident in his tone. "Thank you."
---
A House in the Woods
Morning sunlight poured through the curtains, casting a golden glow across the unfamiliar room. Olivia stirred, groaning softly as a throbbing headache reminded her of her binge-drinking the night before.
When her eyes fully adjusted, panic set in. This wasn’t her room. The plush surroundings were unfamiliar—simple but elegant, with neutral tones and minimal decor.
She shot up from the bed, her heart pounding. "Where the hell am I?" she muttered, her voice hoarse.
Her eyes darted around until they landed on her phone on the nightstand. Grabbing it frantically, she unlocked the screen and exhaled in relief at the sight of missed calls and messages. But her relief was short-lived when she noticed the ’No Service’ icon glaring back at her.
"Oh, come on!" she shouted, slamming the phone onto the bed.
Olivia forced herself to think rationally, but no matter her efforts, she couldn’t remember anything that happened from the time she felt sleepy before passing out on the table at the pub.
Thinking that someone from the pub had brought over to his place, she felt anxious and decided to search the house, but for a fact, she was relieved that she was still in her clothes from the previous night.
"It’s all because of that bastard!" she cursed through gritted teeth as the misery events she faced the day before replayed in her head.
Though the timing was wrong, she still couldn’t seem to help thinking of how Owen had served her divorce papers in such a shameful way, and as if that wasn’t enough, she had to be temporarily sacked for almost getting into a fight with Aurora, and causing a scene at the company’s lobby.
"Damn everyone!" she cursed again as her gaze turned fierce.
Starting with the bathroom connected to the room she found herself, Olivia knocked on the door before peeking inside. It was empty.
Determined to find answers, she continued the search on tenterhooks, just in case it was some pervert that whisked her away. "Hello! Is anyone here?"
Olivia’s search expanded to the other rooms, but every corner of the house was eerily empty. The absence of any personal items or signs of life only heightened her unease.
When she entered the kitchen, her eyes fell on a small white envelope resting on the marble dining table. Trembling, she ripped it open and unfolded the letter inside.
The Letter:
"You are currently in a safe house in the woods. Don’t bother trying to leave; the doors are locked, and the windows are secured. Any attempt to escape may result in injury. I’m watching you.
You will be released in three days. The fridge is stocked with pre-packed meals and drinks. There’s an indoor pool, games, and a TV loaded with shows and movies to keep you entertained.
Think of this as a mini vacation you will never get elsewhere. Rest well."
---
As Olivia finished reading, the letter slipped from her hands onto the floor. Her chest heaved with fury as she glanced around the kitchen, taking in the cozy yet confining space. Yet, she didn’t even bother to check the fridge out.
"A mini vacation?" she spat, her voice rising. "Are you kidding me?!"
Marching to the front door, Olivia rattled the handle violently. When it didn’t budge, she moved to the windows, only to find them barred with security grills.
Her anger surged. "You bastard!" she screamed, her voice echoing through the empty house.
After several minutes of futile attempts to escape, Olivia slumped onto the cold tiled floor, her fists clenched tightly. Tears of frustration stung her eyes as she whispered, "What the hell is going on?!"
She was truly afraid for her life right now, especially with her not having an idea of the motives of the person that locked her up in a house located in the middle of nowhere.
Chapter 195: A Cold Chill
Swift Family’s Residence
Stella woke with a splitting headache, the events of the previous evening weighing heavily on her mind.
Her hand fumbled for her phone on the nightstand, and her bleary eyes squinted at the screen as she checked for any missed calls or messages from Olivia. But she found nothing.
Her heart sank as unease crept in. Unable to bear the silence any longer, Stella dialled Olivia’s number again. Unlike the previous day, the call didn’t even ring—it went straight to an error tone.
"What now?" Stella hissed through gritted teeth, gripping the phone tighter. She threw off the duvet and rose to her feet, pacing the room before deciding to call Owen, thinking that Olivia was avoiding her calls again like that last time.
The phone rang several times before Owen answered, his tone casual and detached.
"Hello," he greeted, lacking the respect Stella expected from her son-in-law which shouldn’t be a surprise.
Stella ignored his indifference. "Owen, where is Olivia?" she demanded sharply. "I’ve been trying to reach her since yesterday evening, but she isn’t taking my calls. Pass the phone to her if she’s with you."
Owen frowned, his irritation evident in his voice. "She’s not here, Mrs. Swift. Olivia didn’t return home last night. We thought she might have gone back to your place after the scene she caused at Vintage Cellar."
Stella froze, her heart skipping a beat. "What do you mean by that?" Her tone was clipped, a mix of worry and anger.
Owen sighed, exasperated. "I don’t know where Olivia is, and frankly, it’s not my problem. We’re no longer a couple. I’ve officially filed for divorce, and I suggest you come to collect her belongings from this house soon."
Stella’s blood boiled at his dismissive attitude. "You don’t know where my daughter is, and you’re comfortable? What kind of man are you?" she snapped.
"A man who has no interest in dealing with Olivia’s messes anymore," Owen replied coolly.
Before Stella could fire back, Owen ended the call. Staring at her phone in disbelief, she let out a string of curses, throwing the device onto the bed.
"This is karma!" she muttered bitterly, pressing her hand to her chest as she sank back onto the bed.
It was payback time, and she couldn’t deny it anymore.
---
Scott Family’s Main Residence
Meanwhile, Owen descended the grand staircase, his face twisted in a scowl after the call with Stella. At the bottom of the stairs, he ran into his parents, who had just finished breakfast.
"Morning," Patricia greeted, her sharp eyes noting her son’s sour mood. "You look like you woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. What’s wrong this time?"
Owen stopped, shaking his head. "Stella just called, asking about Olivia," he said with a humorless laugh.
"And?" Patricia prompted, her curiosity piqued.
"And apparently, Olivia didn’t go home last night," Owen explained, his tone laced with indifference. "She’s probably hiding out somewhere, avoiding the fallout of her actions. It’s a good thing that she can still feel shame and remorse."
Patricia’s brows knitted in concern. "If she didn’t return here or go to the Swift residence, where could she have gone?"
Owen shrugged, his expression nonchalant. "Does it matter? She’s an adult. Let her handle herself."
Richard, overhearing the exchange, scoffed. "Handle herself? That woman couldn’t handle a simple marriage without dragging two entire families into the mud. Who knows what kind of trouble she’s causing now? I hope she leaves our Scott family out this time around!"
With that, Richard stormed off, his anger palpable. Owen followed suit towards the dining area, leaving Patricia alone to sigh heavily before retreating to the living room.
Contrary to Stella’s burning rage, Owen sat down at the breakfast take and devoured his meal heartily.
He piled up a big quantity of food in his plate and ended up finishing everything.
---
Swift Family’s Residence
Stella spent the next hour frantically calling Olivia’s friends, only to be met with the same answer—they hadn’t heard from her in days.
Her frustration reached a boiling point as she descended the stairs and spotted Stephanie at the entrance, preparing to leave for work.
"Stephanie!" Stella barked, marching toward her.
Stephanie turned, arching a brow. "What now, Stella?"
"You will be held responsible if anything happens to my daughter," Stella declared, her voice trembling with fury.
Stephanie let out a humorless laugh. "Have you lost your mind? Why would I be responsible for Olivia’s antics?"
"Yes, I’ve lost my mind!" Stella shot back. "Olivia didn’t return to the Scott family or here after you fired her yesterday. I’ve called everyone, and no one knows where she is. This is on you!"
Stephanie sighed, clearly unimpressed. "First of all, I haven’t sacked Olivia yet—though she’s well on her way to earning it. She’s already hiding from the shame of her own actions. If I were to strip her of her position, she’d probably disappear entirely."
Stella clenched her fists, her anger boiling over. Without thinking, she raised her hand to slap Stephanie, but Stephanie caught it mid-air with surprising speed.
The calm on Stephanie’s face vanished, replaced by icy fury. Without hesitation, she slapped Stella hard across the cheek, sending her staggering back.
"Did you just hit me?" Stella gasped, clutching her stinging cheek, her eyes wide with shock and humiliation after she regained her senses for a bit.
Stephanie pointed a finger at her, her tone dangerously low. "In your next life, don’t even think about raising your filthy hands to your elders. Otherwise, I’ll make sure you regret it."
Stella’s anger flared, and she hissed, "Stephanie, you dare to hit me? I will make you pay for this humiliation. You had no right to do that and you will answer for that!"
Stephanie smirked, her gaze sharp as a blade. "You should be more worried about yourself, Stella. I haven’t even decided how to punish you for bringing another man’s child into this family and passing it off as my brother’s."
Stella froze, her breath hitching. A chill ran down her spine as beads of sweat formed on her forehead. "You... you know?" She staggered as a wave of pain hit her chest.
Stephanie’s smile widened, but it held no warmth. "Oh, I know everything. And if I were you, I’d tread very carefully from now on, considering that I’m being very kind and tolerable."