Ch. 231..235: Trapped in a Secret Marriage with a Dangerous Billionaire Chapter 231-235
Chapter 231: Abigail’s Headless Fantasies
Towards evening, after Aurora had eaten to her satisfaction at the Bistro Xander took her to, she whipped out her phone from her Mulberry small leather satchel as she headed for the car, with Xander walking behind her.
"Who are you texting? You aren’t going to wait until you get to the car? You can dash your foot against a stone and stumble," Xander said with concern evident in his tone.
Aurora flipped through her contact list in search of Abigail’s details and replied without taking her eyes off her screen, "Then, what are you walking behind me for?"
She expected him to watch her eyes if he was going to walk behind her. It’s just like saying, ’Why are you in my life if you won’t make yourself useful?’
Xander didn’t utter another word after getting the response and reaction he least expected. He simply did himself a favour by matching his steps with hers and taking her bag from her arm so he could hold her left hand.
If Aurora didn’t want to watch her steps anymore, that was fine with him. There was no need to make a fuss about it when there were other seamless ways to handle the situation and still be on good terms with his wife.
Aurora found Abigail’s contact when they were ten steps away from the car, and she quickly opened their conversation to type a simple text with joy glistening in her eyes.
"Abby, I’m going to be a mother. I’m pregnant!"
Aurora added the red heart, pink heart, pregnant mom, baby, and feeding bottle emojis. Next, she took a moment to review the text before hitting the send button.
The satisfaction hit Aurora like a cool breeze hitting one in the hot summer.
"Are you done texting now?" Xander asked, staring at her side profile. Aurora finally lifted her gaze to realize they had been standing next to the car for some time now.
She simply smiled at Xander and kissed him on the cheek before getting right inside the car.
By the time Aurora got home, Abigail had already phoned her more than five times. It was only when Aurora stepped out of the car and walked briskly towards the house that she finally took her call.
"Oh. My. Goodness. Aura! What took you so long to answer your calls? I was going to phone your husband if you didn’t take this one," Abigail said as she paced back and forth in her bedroom immediately after the call connected.
She was wearing lilac breathable flexible yoga pants and a matching top. With one hand on her waist and a subtle frown, she seemed a little frustrated.
"Oh... I’m sorry." Aurora quickly apologized. "I was in the car with Xander and didn’t want to take your calls until we had pulled over in front of the house."
"Are you kidding me?" Abigail groaned. "You dropped a bomb and disappeared on me. Girl, don’t try that next time otherwise, you will have me to contend with."
As soon as Abigail finished throwing out warnings, her expression quickly changed from ugly to pleasant.
"I saw your text, Aura! You’re pregnant? Are you for real?" she asked as her pace doubled.
"Xander and I are coming from the hospital," Aurora confirmed with just that simple sentence as she glanced at Nene and returned her greeting as soon as they met at the bottom of the stairs.
One thing with Abigail was that she wasn’t going to take a half-baked story or a simple response for such a bomb announcement, especially when it was coming from her best friend. Never.
So, without a doubt, she started disturbing Aurora for the full gist. She wanted to know how she learned about the pregnancy and the rest of the following details.
Aurora smiled to herself as she took the stairs. Then, she began to narrate how she noticed her weird new-found habits, how she checked it out on the internet and how she decided to use the pregnancy test kit.
"Going to my gyne was just to get a solid confirmation. And guess what? The tests were positive!"
As soon as Aurora made that announcement, Abigail screamed, jumping like a child who had just been promised a trip to Disney Land.
"Oh. My!" Aurora exclaimed as she quickly pulled the phone away from her ear. Shaking her head, she quickly finished the remaining stairs ahead of her and walked straight to the master bedroom while Abigail continued with her noise generation.
"My best friend is giving me a child. I’m finally going to become a godmother! Ahhh!!!"
Abigail kept screaming until the patient Aurora, couldn’t take anymore. "Abby, your screams are disturbing the baby. Do you want to be hated so early in life?"
This was how Abigail stopped screaming and went to sit at the edge of her bed. Obediently.
"When are we going for shopping? We should fly to some country for it. My baby is too special not to be treated like royalty," Abigail said, crossing her leg over the other as she began planning the trip.
"Abby, slow down; the baby is just four weeks. It doesn’t even have a heartbeat yet. Don’t be faster than your shadow," Aurora lectured.
Abigail rolled her eyes. "Fine! Just know that you must now keep me updated with your pregnancy. You can call me out in the middle of the night if you feel like talking to me..."
Aurora walked into her dressing room. She sat on the plush couch and started to take off her shoes just in time for Xander to step inside with her bag.
He saw her struggling with the buckle of her shoe with one hand and hurried over. He knelt in front of her and began to undo the straps buckles around her ankles.
"Thank you," Aurora mouthed to him before regaining her full focus on Abigail’s dramatic speeches.
"Even if you are craving fireflies in the middle of the night. Text me, and I will hunt them down immediately."
Aurora interrupted Abigail’s headless fantasies here. "Oh, my good Lord, Abby, which human in their right senses would want to eat fireflies?"
Chapter 232: A Curious First-Time Mom
"Okay, fine, I’ll admit it," Abigail said, scrunching her brows in thought. "I don’t really know much about pregnancy cravings. I was just using that as a reference, you know. But I did hear that pregnant women crave weird stuff."
Aurora let out an exasperated sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You’re not wrong, Abby, but not that weird. Cravings don’t involve eating things that could kill you!"
She glanced at Xander, who was still lingering in the room, pretending to be busy as he put her shoes away. A smirk tugged at his lips as he clearly enjoyed listening in on her conversation.
Aurora rolled her eyes at his antics but turned her attention back to Abigail. Folding one arm below her chest, she posed a dramatic question. "Abby, imagine I wake up tomorrow and tell you I want a lion cub for breakfast and cockroaches for dessert. How would you react?"
Abigail’s face contorted in visible disgust. "God forbid, Aura! If that ever happens, I’ll force you to see a therapist. You’re better off remaining a wife than turning into a crazy person."
A belly roll of laughter escaped Aurora’s lips. Finally, Abigail’s dramatics cracked her frustration, and the tension melted away.
As their conversation continued, Abigail shifted to her usual excitement, already fantasizing about Aurora’s next doctor’s appointment and offering endless advice on what to do and eat. Aurora humoured her with a fond smile, listening to Abigail’s ideas with a mix of amusement and patience.
When the call ended, Xander, who had been thoroughly entertained, stepped closer with a teasing smile. "So, after tacos and tarts for late lunch, what are you craving for dinner now?"
Aurora sank into a dreamy thought, her eyes twinkling. "Hmm... I want something Italian for dinner. Something with a bold, strong flavour."
Xander nodded immediately, his smile softening. "Italian it is. I’ll let the kitchen know. And I’ll set up a warm bath for you in the meantime."
Aurora watched him walk away, her heart swelling with gratitude.
---
Swift Family Residence.
Olivia stepped into the dining room with a stormy expression. Having been locked in her room for twenty-four hours as punishment by Stephanie, her hunger now overshadowed her pride.
Stephanie was already seated at the head of the table, cutting into her garlic butter chicken with the precision of a hawk. Olivia ignored her completely and dropped into the seat across from her without so much as a greeting.
Stephanie glanced up briefly, but instead of addressing Olivia’s rudeness, she resumed eating in silence. For over ten minutes, the only sound in the room was the clinking of cutlery against plates.
Eventually, Stephanie broke the silence, her sharp gaze settling on Olivia. "I heard about your divorce case. The first court hearing is in three days."
Olivia stiffened but kept her eyes on her plate, chewing her food slowly. When she finally responded, her voice was barely above a whisper. "You heard correctly."
Stephanie’s lips curled into a faint, cold smile. "The family lawyer will attend the hearing with you. I expect nothing but good reports from that day."
Olivia’s grip tightened around her cutlery, her knuckles turning white. The mere thought of seeing Owen in court made her blood boil. That bastard had the audacity to file for divorce after everything they’d been through. The anger simmered beneath her skin, threatening to boil over, but she swallowed it down.
Seeing the tension, Stephanie added calmly but firmly, "If you plan to embarrass yourself or this family in public again, be prepared for consequences far worse than being locked in your room."
Olivia didn’t respond, but the subtle glare she shot at her aunt spoke volumes.
Instead, she changed the subject, her voice edged with impatience. "I’ve been out for over six weeks now. When am I returning to Vintage Cellar? My office is probably gathering dust by now."
Stephanie placed her fork down delicately and looked Olivia straight in the eye. "You’ve shown no proof that you’re mentally sound enough to handle your responsibilities. Until you impress me, you’re not going back to Vintage Cellar. And don’t think I’ll leave your position vacant for much longer."
Olivia’s jaw clenched as her glare hardened. Biting back a sharp retort, she forced herself to continue eating in silence.
A few minutes later, Stephanie finished her meal and wiped the corners of her lips with a napkin. She stood, her chair scraping lightly against the floor.
"And one more thing," she said coldly, her gaze piercing. "The next time you see me and don’t greet me, you can kiss your monthly payout as Adam Swift’s daughter goodbye."
With that, Stephanie left the room, her heels clicking loudly against the polished floor.
Olivia remained seated, fuming as her hands clenched into fists.
---
Back at Xander’s private residence, Aurora climbed into bed after a soothing warm bath and a delicious Italian dinner. With her phone in hand, she curled up under the duvet, the screen glowing softly as she browsed.
Her search history had been filled with pregnancy-related questions since confirming the news.
"What’s the size of a four-week-old fetus?"
"At what week can I hear my baby’s first heartbeat?"
"When can I check my baby’s gender?"
"How often can a pregnant woman in her first trimester have sex?"
Just as she clicked on the next search, Xander pushed the door open and walked in with a content smile. Spotting Aurora snuggled up in bed, he wasted no time joining her, slipping under the duvet and pulling her close.
Wrapping his arms around her waist, he rested his cheek on her chest, snuggling into her warmth.
"Darling, you’re going to squash my melons at this rate," Aurora groaned, though her tone carried a hint of humour. And she made no attempt to push him away.
"Really?" Xander asked, leaning back with a concerned look. "Does it hurt? Do you want me to massage them?"
Before Aurora could respond, he dipped his hand inside her shirt and cupped her left breast.
"Xander!" Aurora exclaimed, swatting his hand away with an indignant laugh. "I didn’t mean that! You’re impossible!"
Xander grinned mischievously, leaning in to kiss her cheek. "I’m just trying to help. I’ll happily handle all the pregnancy side effects for you if I can."
Aurora shook her head, biting back a smile as she put her phone on the bedside table. "You’re ridiculous."
"And you’re stuck with me," Xander replied, pulling her closer.
Chapter 233: Divorce Battle; First Court Hearing
~Three Days Later~
The courtroom was thick with tension, the air so heavy it seemed to muffle the faint murmurs from the small gathering of spectators.
Olivia sat at one end of the polished wooden table, her designer suit tailored to perfection. Despite her flawless appearance, her narrowed eyes and stiff posture betrayed her simmering anger.
Across from her sat Owen, his sharp jaw clenched, his dark suit reflecting his sombre mood. His lawyer whispered something to him, but his focus was locked on Olivia, a blend of disgust and defiance in his gaze.
The judge, a stern-faced woman in her mid-fifties with salt-and-pepper hair, adjusted her glasses and struck the gavel.
"This court is now in session. The case of Olivia Swift versus Owen Scott will proceed. Both parties are reminded to remain respectful and let the lawyers present their cases without interruptions. Any verbal confrontation will not be tolerated."
Olivia’s lawyer, a polished man with greying temples and a commanding presence, stood first. He approached the bench with practiced grace.
"Your Honor, my client, Olivia Swift, has endured immeasurable pain and suffering during her marriage to Mr. Owen Scott. She has been subjected to emotional abuse, public humiliation, and the devastating loss of her pregnancy—caused by Mr. Scott’s negligence and violence."
Olivia dabbed at the corner of her eye with a tissue for dramatic effect, ensuring the small crowd witnessed her ’distress.’
The lawyer continued, "In light of these injustices, Ms. Swift is seeking an equitable resolution—specifically, half of Mr. Scott’s assets—as compensation for the damage he has inflicted on her mental health, her reputation, and her future."
As murmurs rippled through the room, Owen’s lawyer, a sharp-eyed woman with a no-nonsense demeanour, rose to her feet. Her tone was calm but edged with steel. "Your Honor, my client, Mr. Owen Scott, categorically denies these accusations. Not only is Ms. Swift’s claim baseless, but it is also a calculated attempt to exploit my client’s success for personal gain."
Owen leaned back in his chair, his lips pressing into a thin line as his lawyer spoke.
She continued, "Ms. Swift entered this marriage knowing full well that there was no love between them. Her actions have been nothing short of manipulative, damaging Mr. Scott’s reputation and leaving him no choice but to file for divorce on grounds of irreconcilable differences and the toxic environment she created."
The judge nodded. "Very well. Let’s hear from the parties directly. Ms. Swift, you may speak first."
Olivia rose gracefully, her eyes brimming with practised sorrow as she approached the witness stand. Once sworn in, she began her tirade.
"Owen ruined my life, Your Honor," she said, her voice trembling just enough to sound sincere. "He humiliated me, not just privately, but publicly. While I was at home trying to be a good wife, he was out cavorting with mistresses and making headlines on gossip blogs."
Owen’s jaw tightened, but he held his tongue.
Olivia sniffled delicately. "And as if that wasn’t enough, his violent temper caused me to lose our child. I lost my chance to ever be a mother because of him!" Her voice broke as she wiped at her eyes.
’Owen, you just wait. I will drag you to filth. You haven’t seen anything yet!’ Olivia thought to herself. She was out here fighting for her rights and couldn’t be bothered by her Aunt’s reminder to behave.
The courtroom fell silent, save for the scribbling of reporters’ pens and the faint clicking of the stenographer’s machine.
"I am not asking for anything unreasonable," Olivia continued, her tone hardening. "I am simply demanding what I deserve—half of everything he owns. That is the least he can do after ruining my life entirely."
---
When it was Owen’s turn to speak, he rose with measured composure, though his clenched fists betrayed the storm brewing beneath the surface.
If Olivia thought she could have her way outrightly stealing half of his blood and sweat, then she was dreaming!
"Your Honor," Owen began, his voice steady but laced with anger, "Miss Swift here is a liar and an emotional manipulator. She didn’t marry me out of love; she married me to destroy my life. And now, she’s sitting here, demanding half of everything I’ve worked for? She doesn’t deserve a single penny!"
Olivia’s eyes flared, and she opened her mouth to respond, but the judge raised a hand, silencing her.
Owen continued, his tone rising. "This is the same woman who ruined my reputation, dragged my name through the mud, and cost me my position at my family’s company. She knew exactly what she was doing when she agreed to marry me, and now she’s playing the victim!"
He turned to face Olivia directly, his voice venomous. "You want to talk about humiliation? What about you? You paraded around as my wife while plotting behind my back, and now you have the audacity to claim I’m the one who destroyed you?"
Olivia shot to her feet, her face flushed with rage. "You did destroy me, Owen! Don’t act like a saint when you were the one cheating on me with every woman you could find! You embarrassed yourself, not me!"
Owen scoffed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, please. Don’t pin your failures on me, Olivia. If anyone embarrassed this marriage, it was you! You ruined my life and had the nerve to keep blaming—."
"ENOUGH!" the judge bellowed, slamming her gavel. "This court will not tolerate such outbursts! Both of you, sit down immediately!"
Reluctantly, Olivia and Owen returned to their seats, their glares sharp enough to cut glass. They would have been ready to tear each other into two pieces if it hadn’t been for the judge’s intervention.
---
Owen’s lawyer stood, her expression calm but firm. "Your Honor, I’d like to remind the court that Ms. Swift has provided no concrete evidence to support her claim of emotional abuse or financial entitlement. Furthermore, we will be presenting counter-evidence that discredits her allegations of infidelity."
Olivia’s lawyer rose next, his tone equally assertive. "Your Honor, my client has provided sufficient evidence of Mr. Scott’s extramarital affairs, which have been publicly documented. We demand that these claims be taken seriously in this case."
The judge rubbed her temples, her patience clearly wearing thin. "Both parties will have the opportunity to submit evidence and testimony at the next hearing. For now, this court is adjourned."
As the gavel struck, the tension in the room remained palpable. Olivia shot one final glare at Owen before turning on her heel and stalking out of the courtroom, her lawyer trailing behind her.
Owen stayed seated for a moment, his eyes hardening as he watched Olivia disappear through the courtroom doors.
Chapter 234: Tea Time Spills the Tea
The afternoon of the same day, Olivia’s most hated popular enemy blog, Tea Time Gossip Blog, released a lengthy article regarding her divorce battle with Owen at the court earlier that morning.
Those who had been seeking details of what transpired at the court finally got the opportunity to learn the juicy truth.
---
Title: "Olivia Swift vs. Owen Scott: The Divorce Battle of the Year!"
Ah, tea lovers, buckle up because the messiest divorce of the decade has officially hit the courts! Olivia Swift and Owen Scott, the once-envied power couple, have taken their toxic relationship to the next level—dragging each other through the mud in front of a courtroom filled with shocked onlookers.
If you thought their marriage was a disaster, you haven’t seen anything yet. Let’s spill the tea, shall we?
---
Lies, Screams, and Near-Fisticuffs:
At their first court hearing, both Olivia and Owen hurled accusations at one another, and let’s just say it wasn’t pretty. Witnesses claimed the two were seconds away from tearing each other to shreds, their venomous words laced with a hatred so intense it practically radiated through the courtroom.
"Those two were ready to tear each other to pieces, with so much hatred brewing in their eyes. That leaves us wondering—did they ever love each other?" one insider reported.
Another court attendee put it bluntly: "Olivia and Owen make love look scary."
Their shouting match got so heated that the judge had to intervene multiple times to keep things civil. At one point, Olivia slammed Owen for "ruining her life, reputation, and future as a mother" after their tragic miscarriage. Meanwhile, Owen fired back, calling Olivia a "master manipulator" who only married him to destroy his life.
Now, let’s not forget that this relationship started with betrayal—Olivia snatched Owen right out of her stepsister Aurora’s arms, flaunting their engagement like a trophy. "Aurora actually dodged a bullet here by letting Olivia steal Owen from her," said one commenter.
Can you imagine Aurora being caught up in this circus?
---
The Families’ Reputations in Shambles:
While the court drama unfolds, we can’t help but wonder: what must the Scott and Swift family elders think of all this chaos? These two families have spent decades building their legacies, and now their children are dragging those pristine reputations straight into the gutter without reservations.
"I wonder what’s running through the minds of the Scott and Swift family elders, watching their children disregard their years of legacy and ruin their reputations publicly."
And speaking of family, where is Stella Swift in all this? Olivia’s infamous mother has been notably absent from the public eye for weeks now. "Today, I thought I might see Stella Swift in court," one observer remarked. "Sadly, we didn’t even catch a whisk of her shadow. Who knows why she’s hiding after helping her daughter ruin her own life?"
Stella’s mysterious disappearance raises even more questions, but perhaps it’s for the best. After all, this courtroom spectacle doesn’t need any more drama—though, let’s be honest, we wouldn’t mind watching Stella face the fire herself.
---
The Blame Game: Cheating, Lies, and Miscarriage:
Now, let’s break down the accusations. Olivia has made it clear that she’s holding Owen responsible for every ounce of her misery, including her miscarriage. She even brought "evidence" of his infidelity to court—photos, text messages, and all. And let’s not forget the gossip blogs that have documented Owen’s escapades with other women, including your very own dearest, Tea Time.
But Owen isn’t taking these accusations lying down. He denies cheating during their marriage, insisting that Olivia is the true villain in this story. "Olivia orchestrated her doom from the moment she set her eyes on her stepsister’s man," said one anonymous source. "And today, she’s reaping the fruit of her labour. She helped Owen ruin her own life, and now she wants to claim half of everything he owns? The audacity!"
Of course, not everyone is on Team Owen. Some believe he deserves to suffer, especially for abandoning someone as beautiful and classy as Aurora to pursue Olivia in the first place. "While Olivia deserves everything Owen did to her, Owen also deserves to suffer for dumping Aurora for her empty seductress sister," one fan commented. "This is what he gets for lusting over a fake banging body and pretty plastic face."
---
The Olivia Swift Downfall:
It’s worth noting that Olivia hasn’t been seen at Vintage Cellar for a long while, since her infamous meltdown in the lobby, where she attacked Aurora. Many insiders believe Olivia’s career is as good as dead, given her tarnished reputation and inability to recover from this series of scandals.
"Olivia hasn’t resumed work since that day she attacked Aurora in the lobby," said an insider. "At this point, her career might be beyond saving. And I hope the directors at Vintage Cellar keep things that way. They don’t need someone like Olivia amongst their team."
As much as Olivia wants to paint herself as the victim, it’s hard to ignore the trail of destruction she’s left behind. From sabotaging her stepsister’s happiness to orchestrating manipulative schemes during her marriage, Olivia’s hands aren’t exactly clean.
---
The Final Tea:
So, tea darlings, here’s where we stand: Olivia Swift and Owen Scott’s divorce battle is shaping up to be one for the ages. Olivia is demanding half of everything Owen owns, claiming he ruined her life and reputation. Meanwhile, Owen is fighting back, arguing that Olivia is a manipulative liar who deserves nothing.
And let’s not forget the mess they’ve both made of their families’ reputations. As one commenter so eloquently put it: "How did Olivia Swift and Owen Scott get here? Aurora actually dodged a bullet by letting Olivia steal Owen from her."
Now, we turn it over to you, dear readers. Who deserves to win this battle of egos? Does Olivia have any right to claim a penny from Owen after earning her retribution? Or does Owen’s history of public infidelity and disrespect mean his assets should be fair game?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. And as always, stay tuned for more updates on this scandalous saga—because you know we’ll be here to spill every last drop of tea.
Tea Time Gossip Blog: Where there’s drama, there’s tea.
~Tea Time.
Chapter 235: Stephanie Had Her Doubts
Swift Family Residence.
Stephanie sat in the vast living room, her fingers drumming rhythmically against the couch’s armrest as she scrolled through Tea Time Gossip’s latest article. Her sharp eyes skimmed over every detail, her lips pressing into a thin line as she finished reading.
She had already seen the video footage from the lawyer she sent to the courthouse—Olivia’s outburst, her lack of control, the sheer humiliation she brought upon herself. But seeing it dissected so brutally in an article for the world to read was something else entirely.
With a sigh, she placed her phone down and raised a hand, summoning the butler. "Go and get Olivia."
The butler gave a polite nod and left to carry out her order.
Minutes later, Olivia arrived, her irritation evident. "You sent for me?"
Stephanie gave her a pointed look. "Do you know what composure means?"
Olivia frowned, her posture stiffening. "Of course, I do."
"Then why did you make a spectacle of yourself in court?" Stephanie’s voice was dangerously calm, laced with quiet fury. "Did I not warn you three days ago to keep your emotions in check? And yet, here we are, with you making headlines for the wrong reasons once again."
Olivia’s nostrils flared. "I had no choice! Owen is a monster. I just couldn’t sit there and let him deny cheating on me, deny causing my miscarriage, and pretend like I was the one at fault!" Her voice shook with anger. "He stood there acting like the victim, while I—"
Stephanie cut her off with a scoff. "Yes, he was indeed provocative by refusing to admit his affairs," she conceded. But then her gaze darkened as she leaned forward. "However, as for your miscarriage... you didn’t seem to value that child back then. If you had, you would have protected it at all costs. And since I know about it, I find it very difficult to believe that Owen pushing you was the reason you lost it."
Olivia stiffened, her heartbeat spiking. "Aunt, what are you trying to say?" she asked, feigning innocence while masking the guilt flashing through her eyes. "Are you doubting me?"
Stephanie arched an eyebrow. "I’m merely pointing out that you’ll need to prove to the court that Owen’s push was the sole reason for your miscarriage. After all, your doctor never once mentioned that the fetus was unstable before that day... or was it?"
Olivia’s fists clenched at her sides. "I was under immense stress!" she snapped. "How could I remain sane, and the baby in my womb healthy, when all my husband did was appear on gossip blogs every day, photographed with different women? A fetus wouldn’t have survived when its mother was in that state."
Stephanie scoffed and leaned back. "Well, good luck proving that to the judge."
She then gave Olivia a cold stare and added, "And let me remind you—again—that if you cause another public embarrassment, I will cut you off financially. Permanently."
Olivia’s face twisted with rage. But she knew better than to argue when Stephanie was in this mood. Without another word, she spun on her heels and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
---
A Private Restaurant.
Seated in a dimly lit private room of an upscale restaurant, Casey swirled the champagne in her glass, her lips curling into a smug smile. Across from her, Juliet scrolled through Tea Time Gossip’s article, giggling.
"They really went in on Olivia this time," Juliet mused, eyes gleaming with amusement.
Casey chuckled, adjusting her dark sunglasses. "She deserves every bit of it. Watching her crumble is delicious."
Juliet smirked. "So, what’s next? Olivia and Owen are getting a divorce... When do you think I should break the news about my pregnancy?"
Casey’s expression turned serious as she leaned forward. "Not now."
Juliet blinked. "Why not? I mean, he’ll have to know at some point."
Casey sighed, rubbing the rim of her glass with her finger. "Listen to me. Olivia is unhinged. If she finds out about your pregnancy now, she’ll destroy you. She lost her child, and if she knows you’re carrying Owen’s baby, she won’t rest until you lose yours too. That woman is bitter and unreasonable now. Well, she has always been. So, we’ve got to tread carefully."
Juliet swallowed, a flicker of fear crossing her face.
Casey’s lips curved into a slow, calculating smile. "Wait until you’re past your second trimester. Once you reach six months, Olivia won’t be able to pull any reckless stunts without the risk of severe consequences."
Juliet exhaled and nodded. "You’re right. I’ll wait."
Casey lifted her champagne glass. "To Olivia’s downfall."
Juliet grinned and clinked her glass against Casey’s. As Casey took a slow sip, she adjusted her sunglasses again, a satisfied smirk playing on her lips.
She had just started dealing with Olivia, and by the time she was done, there wouldn’t be a chance for the latter to make a comeback.
---
Xander’s Private Residence.
In the grand living room of the Scott residence, Aurora sat comfortably on the plush couch, sipping slightly chilled watermelon juice while watching the evening news.
Nene approached with a tablet in hand. "Ma’am, you might want to see this."
Aurora took the tablet, scanning the article from Tea Time Gossip. A smirk tugged at her lips. "Interesting," she murmured, setting the device down.
Nene frowned. "I don’t like how they can’t write about Olivia and Owen without mentioning your name."
Aurora shrugged. "It’s a curse to be related to those two."
Nene shook her head, exasperated. "Still, it’s annoying."
Aurora chuckled. "Let them say whatever they want. I honestly don’t care anymore." Although she couldn’t be bothered about what the blogs wrote about her, she was a bit curious, wondering if Casey was involved with Tea Time’s latest article.
Nene exhaled and set the tablet aside. "Would you like a foot massage?"
Aurora’s face brightened. "Absolutely."
Nene smiled kindly. "I will make the arrangements."
Minutes later, a servant arrived with a massage kit. Aurora settled back as the servant began working on her feet, a pleased sigh escaping her lips.