Ch. 276..280: Trapped in a Secret Marriage with a Dangerous Billionaire Chapter 276-280
Chapter 276: Chaos at Vintage Cellar
Vintage Cellar.
Aurora had barely stepped out of her car before the frenzy began.
Flashes of cameras exploded in her face, and a deafening wave of voices crashed over her. The swarm of reporters, journalists, and paparazzi pressed forward like a hungry tide, their microphones and recording devices stretched toward her as they shouted over one another.
"Mrs. Scott! Is it true that Stella Swift murdered the former chairman?"
"Aurora! Do you have any comments on your mother’s crimes?"
"Why did your stepmother kill your father? Does it have anything to do with inheritance?"
"How does this affect your position in Vintage Cellar?"
Aurora’s heart pounded as she instinctively shielded her stomach, tightening her grip around herself as she ducked her head. Her bodyguards moved swiftly, flanking her sides and forming a protective barrier as they pushed through the chaos.
"Step aside! Make way!" one of the security personnel barked, his voice slicing through the chaos.
The flashing lights, the pressing bodies, the suffocating questions—it was overwhelming, but Aurora kept her expression cold and composed.
Vintage Cellar’s private security had already been dispatched, and within moments, they cleared a path for her. As she made it through the glass doors of the building, the noise dulled behind her.
Aurora let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. She knew this situation and uncalled attention were far from over, but it was a good thing that Xander foresaw this and made arrangements to protect her.
---
Minutes later, Stephanie arrived at the company’s front entrance and met with the same merciless barrage of reporters.
"Chairwoman Swift, is it true that your sister-in-law killed your brother?"
"Where lies Mrs. Swift’s fate? What kind of judgement will she face?"
"How will Vintage Cellar recover from this scandal?"
"Do you have anything to say to the shareholders?"
Stephanie’s expression was unreadable, her sharp eyes cutting through the crowd. She didn’t say a word.
The security team swiftly blocked off the reporters, forming a shield around her as they guided her inside.
The moment she entered the grand lobby, Stephanie exhaled sharply, adjusting the cuff of her blazer before turning to her secretary.
"Call for an emergency board meeting. Every executive and director must be in attendance within the hour."
"Yes, ma’am."
Stephanie’s heels clicked sharply against the marble floor as she strode towards the elevators. If the media thought Vintage Cellar was going to crumble over this scandal, they were in for a rude awakening.
Vintage Cellar was like a child to her. Together with her late brother, they built the wine company up from nothing. And she would make sure that no scandal, no matter how big it was, would be able to take down her fruitful labour.
---
The conference room buzzed with tension. Seated around the long, polished table were Vintage Cellar’s top executives, directors, and key stakeholders, their expressions ranging from concern to outright panic.
Stephanie sat at the head of the table, her presence commanding. Aurora was seated to her right, her posture poised yet stiff.
"Let’s not waste time," Stephanie began, her tone cool and controlled. "We all know why we’re here. The company is under siege from the press, our stocks are plummeting, and public confidence is shaken. We need solutions. Immediately."
There were murmurs of agreement.
One of the senior directors, Mr. Caldwell, leaned forward, his expression grim. "With all due respect, Chairwoman, before we discuss solutions, we need clarity. Is it true? Did Stella Swift assassinate our former chairman?"
The room fell into a heavy silence. Everyone in the room stilled their breath and fixed their gazes on Stephanie, waiting for an answer from her.
Stephanie’s expression didn’t change, but there was a weight behind her gaze. "I am afraid that she does have a hand in my brother’s murder," she admitted, her voice firm. "But the police will sort the truth out. That is not our concern right now."
Low murmurs rippled through the boardroom. Some exchanged uneasy glances while others whispered among themselves.
Stephanie raised a hand, immediately silencing them.
"Our priority is Vintage Cellar," she continued. Not directly tagging Stella, her brother’s murderer, was on purpose. "We need to act fast to contain the damage. Any suggestions?" she inquired, her gaze taking in everyone’s expression.
The room erupted into debates.
Some argued that a press conference was necessary—to clear the air, to reassure investors, to take control of the narrative. Others disagreed, insisting that speaking to the press would only fan the flames and invite more scrutiny.
Aurora listened quietly as the discussion grew more heated. Everyone’s answers made sense from different angles, and it led her into a deep thought. Then, after a moment, she spoke.
"I have a suggestion."
Almost immediately, all eyes turned to her.
Aurora sat up straighter, her voice calm but firm. "From today onwards, Stella’s court case and appearances should be kept under wraps. No more leaks to the press. No more updates on her legal proceedings. If we allow this to remain a public spectacle, the company will fall apart."
A few directors exchanged glances, contemplating her words.
"She’s right," another executive agreed. "The more they dig into this case, the worse it gets for us. If we cut off their source of information, the media storm will die down eventually."
Stephanie tapped a manicured nail against the table, deep in thought. Then, she gave a slow nod. "I will speak to the Chief Inspector of Police and ensure that no further details of the case get leaked."
There were murmurs of agreement, followed by nods from various members.
Stephanie leaned forward, her gaze sharp. "Then it’s settled. All advertisements for our products are to be halted. No media interaction until further notice. We operate in silence and let the market stabilise. And there won’t be a press conference. For now."
With a final glance around the table, she added, "Make no mistake—Vintage Cellar will survive this. But only if we act wisely."
With that, the meeting was adjourned.
Chapter 277: Stella’s First Trial
Two Weeks Later...
The grand courtroom buzzed with hushed murmurs as people filled the seats, each eager to witness the downfall of one of Wing City’s most infamous women. The air was thick with tension, a suffocating weight pressing down on everyone present.
Journalists lined the back of the courtroom, their cameras and notepads ready, their eyes sharp with curiosity and hunger for the next explosive headline.
Unfortunately for them, they won’t be witnessing Stella Swift’s first court hearing as the wrong information was leaked to them in other to divert attention from the real courtroom.
The doors at the back of the main courtroom swung open, and heads turned as Aurora entered, flanked by Nene and two of Xander’s bodyguards.
She moved with quiet elegance, her posture straight, her expression unreadable, but beneath the cool facade, her heart pounded. This was the moment she had waited for—the moment her stepmother would finally answer for her crimes.
Aurora’s gaze swept across the courtroom until it landed on Stephanie and Olivia, who had arrived earlier.
Stephanie sat poised, her hands clasped neatly in her lap, her expression composed yet calculating. Olivia, on the other hand, was visibly tense, her fingers gripping her handbag tightly as she stared at the empty defendant’s seat.
Aurora took her seat and acknowledged her Aunt with a nod. Stephanie responded quietly, her gaze landing on Aurora’s small baby bump before shifting her gaze.
As for Olivia, she was completely ignored. Aurora only spared her a glance before looking away. But somehow, Olivia couldn’t help but clench her fists.
Aurora was the reason for everything. If it hadn’t been for her, then her mother wouldn’t have made plans to eliminate her which ended up killing their father.
---
A sharp voice rang through the courtroom.
"All rise."
The entire room stood as the judge entered and took his seat. As soon as the room settled, the doors at the side of the courtroom opened, and two armed officers led Stella Swift inside.
She looked like a shell of the woman she once was. The confident, perfectly styled socialite was gone. Instead, a pale, weary-looking woman stood before them, clad in an orange jumpsuit. Her usually immaculate hair was dishevelled, and her once sharp eyes dulled by exhaustion.
But despite her worn appearance, Stella held her chin high as she walked to the defendant’s seat, her shackles clinking with every step, especially when her gaze accidentally met with Aurora’s.
Aurora’s fingers clenched into fists. ’She doesn’t even look remorseful,’ she thought bitterly.
Stephanie’s lips curled in faint amusement as she studied her sister-in-law. Beside her, Olivia shifted in her seat, her face unreadable.
The bailiff stepped forward and read the charges.
"The defendant, Stella Swift, is hereby charged with three counts of felony: conspiracy to commit murder, obstruction of justice, and first-degree murder."
A heavy silence fell over the courtroom.
The judge adjusted his glasses and turned to the prosecution. "The court will now hear the charges against the defendant."
---
The lead prosecutor, a sharp-eyed woman in a navy-blue suit, stood and walked toward the jury.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, today, we bring forth the case against Stella Swift—a woman who, for years, has presented herself as a devoted wife and mother. But behind closed doors, she orchestrated a brutal chain of crimes that led to the death of her own husband."
A murmur ran through the courtroom.
The prosecutor turned slightly, her eyes locking on Stella. "Let’s begin with the attempted murder of her stepdaughter, Aurora Swift."
Aurora’s fingers curled tighter around her dress, but she remained still.
The prosecutor gestured toward the evidence board behind her, which displayed a collection of documents, call logs, and witness testimonies.
"Months ago, the defendant, Stella Swift, hired an assassin with the intent of eliminating her stepdaughter. However, instead of Aurora, it was Adam Swift—her husband—who was killed that night."
Olivia grasped the hem of her dress as her heart thundered in her chest. Her breath hitched as she turned to look at Stephanie, whose expression remained impassive.
Aurora felt a sharp pang in her chest, but she quickly suppressed it. She was reminded of how her father was shot right in front of her, his life, snatched by that ruthless woman who was after her.
The prosecutor continued. "Upon realizing her mistake, the defendant took swift action. She silenced the man she hired—murdering him to cover her tracks and eliminate any evidence that could tie her to the crime."
The judge turned to Stella. "How does the defendant plead?"
Stella lifted her head, her voice eerily calm.
"Not guilty."
A heavy silence fell over the room.
Aurora’s nails dug into her palms.
Liar.
Stephanie arched a brow, while Olivia exhaled shakily, a mixture of disbelief and bitterness crossing her features.
The prosecutor’s lips curled into a faint smirk. "I expected as much."
She turned back to the jury. "We have irrefutable evidence—phone records, witness testimonies, and forensic reports—that will prove the defendant’s involvement beyond a reasonable doubt."
The defence attorney, a well-known, high-profile lawyer, adjusted his tie and stood.
"The prosecution makes bold accusations, but accusations are not facts," he stated smoothly. "My client maintains her innocence, and we are prepared to challenge every claim made against her."
Stella remained impassive, but her eyes flickered toward Olivia for a brief second.
Olivia looked away.
The judge glanced at the clock. "The court will reconvene tomorrow morning. Until then, the defendant will remain in custody."
Bang!
The gavel struck, signalling the end of the first hearing.
---
By the time the court session was over, the journalists had already found out about the actual venue and flocked towards it in their numbers.
As soon as the judge left, the reporters surged forward, trying to enter the court house only to be blocked by court officers.
Stephanie stood up first, straightening her blazer. "Let’s go. Or do you still want to chat with your mother?"
Olivia hesitated for a brief moment before following her out of the courtroom. There was no need to meet her mother. She wasn’t in that mood.
Aurora remained seated, watching as the officers escorted Stella back into the holding area.
For the first time since the trial began, Stella turned her head and met Aurora’s gaze. A slow, bitter smile curved her lips.
Aurora’s blood ran cold. And then, just like that, she was gone.
Nene gently touched Aurora’s shoulder. "Ma’am, we should leave."
Aurora inhaled sharply and stood to her feet.
Chapter 278: Stephanie Invites Aurora for Dinner
Hot tears gushed out from the corners of Aurora’s eyes as she stepped out of the courtroom. Nene quickly handed her a handkerchief to dab the tears before passing her sunshades to her.
Adam’s end was painful, but what was more agonizing was the person behind it.
In this world, Aurora didn’t think she would ever forgive Stella for the evil she did even if she begged her for mercy.
The repercussion of Stella’s sin had eaten her deep beyond any type of healing therapy.
"Ma’am, everything will be fine," Nene said from the side as she watched Aurora with concern.
On the other hand, Aurora inhaled sharply and briefly dipped her head backwards to stop the tears from flowing before straightening her posture. She didn’t know she would cry today.
Aurora’s bodyguards met her along the corridors of the building and escorted her outside and towards the car park. Thankfully, the reporters had been contained. Therefore, they didn’t have the opportunity to assault any member of the Swift family with questions or take any close pictures of them.
"Ma’am, your Aunt is waiting," Nene informed as soon as she saw Stephanie standing next to a car with her fingers intertwined in front of her. She actually seemed to have been waiting for Aurora.
At Nene’s statement, Aurora, who had her head down, lifted her gaze. She saw Stephanie watching her. She had no idea that she would wait for her, and as they approached her, she noticed the car she was standing next to was steaming.
"Aunt," Aurora called softly as she stopped in front of her while Nene and her bodyguards waited five steps from them.
Stephanie managed a small smile as she instinctively reached out to take Aurora’s hands. "Aurora, you are pregnant," she stated as her gaze fell on the small baby bump before moving back to Aurora’s face.
"Yes, I am." Aurora nodded subtly.
"Congratulations." Stephanie patted the back of Aurora’s hands lightly as she smiled upon her kindly. "This is great news amidst all the chaos thrown at our family. I am happy for you and your husband."
"Thank you, Aunty," Aurora replied before looking past her shoulder. She briefly stared at the car steaming behind her aunt. Stephanie retrieved her hands and followed her gaze before quickly changing the topic.
"Olivia doesn’t look good. Amongst us, this blow hit her harder," Stephanie explained, hinting at Olivia’s presence in the car.
Aurora returned her gaze to her and listened to what she had to say next. However, she reluctantly agreed with that statement.
"Her father was assassinated on the night of her wedding. A few months later, she found out her mother was behind that horrible event that ruined her day and traumatized her. Now, she is known as the daughter of a murderer, and things will be even more difficult for her going forward with the press on this case. The society will ostracize her."
Aurora didn’t know what to say to all of these things her aunt had listed. In all honesty, she felt nothing for Olivia, all thanks to her rage.
Maybe when she calmed down and had the time to analyze Olivia’s situation properly, she might see reasons to believe Stella had a role in Olivia’s turnout. But that didn’t exempt Olivia from choosing the wrong path because, as an adult who grew up with a good father and a bad mother, she was mature enough to make life choices that impacted her future.
Seeing as Aurora remained silent, Stephanie changed the topic. "Your cousins will be arriving in two days. They should have been here earlier, but the situation was critical that they had to postpone their trip."
"How long will they be staying?" Aurora asked directly. Her facial expression revealed nothing. And all thanks go to her sunglasses
"For as long as they want," Stephanie replied almost immediately. Then she sighed and lowered her tone. "Aurora, I have been divorced, even before your father died."
Aurora was genuinely surprised by the news. She hadn’t known or expected that her Aunt had been long separated from her husband. This made her wonder if her father knew about this before working on his will.
"Although my children are adults like you and Olivia, I want them to stay wherever I am until they are married," Stephanie explained further without faltering.
Aurora simply nodded. Even if she wanted, she couldn’t stop her Aunt from inviting her children to come stay with her. With Stella partially gone, Stephanie was now in full charge of the Swift household, all thanks to her father’s Will.
"Aurora, it is only right that your cousins come to pay their respect to you, but understanding how private your husband is, please join us for dinner in two days," Stephanie pleaded, driving Aurora out of her thoughts.
Stephanie knew what privacy meant and respected it. So, she didn’t even bother to bring up that first option up to Aurora. It didn’t make any sense to put her in a tight corner.
"I will, Aunt." Aurora accepted the dinner invitation without reservation.
Stephanie’s smile finally reached her eyes. She was pleased with Aurora’s reaction.
"Take care of yourself and the baby," she said warmly. "And please, extend my regards to Mr. Scott."
Aurora nodded and gave one look at the steaming car. She felt Olivia was watching her through the tinted mirror, but none of that meant anything to her as she turned and went away.
Stephanie waited until Aurora was several steps away before she finally turned her back. Next, she opened the back door of the car and climbed inside.
Olivia quickly secured her seatbelt and turned her gaze away, refusing to meet her aunt’s eyes.
"Why didn’t you step out to say ’hello’ to your sister?" Stephanie asked Olivia as soon as their car left the parking lot.
"I don’t owe her that," Olivia replied sharply.
Stephanie retrieved her gaze and smiled. "You will need her in the future."
Olivia got annoyed at that statement and said she would never need Aurora in the remaining years of her life span, but Stephanie ignored it. Only time will tell.
Chapter 279: Xander’s Foresight
Chapter TWO HUNDRED & SEVENTY-NINE: Xander’s Foresight
On the drive back home, Aurora received a call from Abigail who called to inquire about how Stella’s trial went.
Aurora allowed herself to be vulnerable. With her sunshades off, she kept wiping tears off her eyes with the handkerchief Nene had given her.
Hearing the pain in her best friend’s voice, Abigail couldn’t sit still. She felt ’left in the dark’ and had to make a request for the voice call to be switched to video.
"Aura, I don’t like the tears I’m seeing in your eyes," Abigail said with lines on her forehead. She felt guilty for raising the topic at a bad time, and at the same time she was concerned for Aurora. "I shouldn’t have called now."
"No, it’s fine." Aurora sniffed and wiped her tears away. "I would have cried again regardless of the timing. This topic is difficult for me. Seeing Stella today facing her trial and listening to her crimes was like reliving the moment my Dad got shot."
Aurora’s tears started falling again. Her father took the bullet meant for her, and then died in her arms in the pool of his own blood. What other sacrifice is greater than that?
Aurora will never forget that scene, and she will live every day of her life being reminded of it. And this reminder was the reason she made a decision during her stepmother’s trial in court earlier today; she had only one father, Adam Swift.
She steeled her heart against Major Walker and every business that connected them. She will no longer be affected by him.
"I’m so sorry," Abigail apologized, her tone, softening. "That wicked woman will pay for all her crimes. The law won’t be fair to her."
Aurora nodded frantically. "Thank you," she said before blowing her nose in the handkerchief. "I’m sorry," she added after moving the handkerchief away.
Abigail smiled and told her that it was fine as they were best friends who had seen the worst and down sides of each other. Aurora finally chuckled.
---
Xander was waiting at the door when Aurora returned home.
As soon as Aurora walked up to him, he enveloped her in a warm hug and kissed the top of her head.
Aurora held him tightly and shut her eyes as tears rolled out of them. There were so many unspoken words between them but that warm hug from a protective man was all that Aurora needed at the moment.
The silence between the couple stretched for a bit with none say a word as they remained in that posture until Aurora leaned away, finally able to stand on her own.
"Your eyes are swollen," Xander observed as he cupped her face. "You seem to have cried a lot. And your body is warm. You need to take a shower, eat and rest."
As they walked back into the house, he held her hand. "I’m sorry for not being there with you today. You needed me the most today but my jet couldn’t leave on time because of a fault."
"It’s fine. Nene was with me. I wasn’t alone today," Aurora said to him as he wrapped one hand around her waist and led her towards the stairs. "I’m contented that I met you at home. It’s more than enough support for me."
In the bedroom, Xander helped Aurora to set a bath before helping her inside. Then, he asked Nene to bring the pill box. As soon as Aurora finished having her bath, she took some pills and laid under the covers.
As she wasn’t very hungry, Xander pulled a stool beside her to sit and spoon-feed her a bowl of sweet fruit salad mixed with evaporated and a little condensed milk.
"The cucumber is slightly bitter." Aurora complained with a slight frown on her face. But she still went ahead to chew it before swallowing.
"Really?" Xander glanced at the bowl of cut fruits (watermelon, banana, cucumber and roasted groundnuts) before meeting her gaze again. Aurora confirmed with a nod, so he had to have a taste for himself.
Seeing that the cucumbers were indeed bitter, he opted to skip them while scooping the fruits with the spoon.
After eating, Aurora was finally in the right frame of mind to talk about Stella’s trial briefly before mentioning her aunt’s dinner invitation.
"How long are her children staying?" Xander inquired with a curious brow.
"In her words, they would be staying with her until they get married," Aurora replied before going on to mention Stephanie’s divorce. "I think my cousins have been living with their father since the divorce, and now, she wants them under her."
"What do your cousins do for a living?" Xander inquired.
Aurora’s brows furrowed slightly. In the end, she shrugged. "I have no idea."
Xander didn’t say anything on that note until a while had passed because he was looking for a softer and gentle way to pass his message across.
"Your Aunt’s next step will be to put her children in Vintage Cellar and give them important positions. And then, whether she means this from the onset or not, she will be driven to start a war with you and Olivia and pass the company to her children. That’s how the drama sets in."
The more Xander the spoke, the more Aurora’s reaction turned ugly. She didn’t like that. If it wasn’t for the ’whether she means it or not from the onset’ that Xander added, she would have argued that her Aunt wouldn’t do anything like that. After all, her father trusted her enough to put her in charge of the company.
Stephanie wasn’t anything like Stella, but people change, and situations change people. Therefore, Aurora thought twice before bearing witness for her Aunt.
"Sweetheart, I’m telling you this not to put fear in you, but to make you alert and ready to tackle the difficult situations when they arise," Xander said, taking Aurora’s hands as he looked into her eyes.
Aurora met his gaze with a nod. She wholeheartedly agreed with his foresight.
"Your Aunt is smarter than your stepmother, so if she decides to go against you, you will not win without going to the drawing board," Xander finished.
Chapter 280: The Nonsense She Snatched
Owen sat in the living area of his bedroom, a glass of whiskey in one hand and the TV remote in the other. The news was buzzing with reports about Stella Swift’s trial, and every channel he switched to had her face plastered on the screen.
The details of the case were grim—conspiracy, murder, cover-ups—but Owen didn’t care about any of that. What truly delighted him was Olivia’s humiliation.
A slow smirk curled on his lips as he leaned back on the couch, swirling his drink.
"So, Olivia..." he murmured to himself. "How does it feel to be the daughter of a murderer?"
He laughed under his breath, shaking his head. It was poetic justice, really. For all the arrogance, for all the times she thought she was untouchable, now she had to live with the weight of her mother’s crimes.
Owen picked up his phone and tapped his fingers against the screen, deep in thought. He wasn’t satisfied yet. Olivia needed to suffer more. He wanted to see how far she would crumble under pressure.
With that in mind, he scrolled to a familiar contact and pressed the dial button. His lawyer picked up within seconds.
"Mr. Scott," Attorney Yolanda greeted.
"I have a task for you," Owen said, his voice laced with amusement.
She listened intently.
"Call Olivia Swift," Owen instructed, his voice sharp with wicked amusement. "Let her know that my assets have been vetted, and if she doesn’t pay for the damages she caused in my home as ordered by the court, she won’t receive a single dime from me."
Attorney Yolanda hesitated for a moment to ensure they wouldn’t be breaking the laws, before responding. "Understood, Mr. Scott I will handle it."
Owen chuckled darkly as he ended the call, tossing his phone onto the couch.
"Let’s see how you will take this, Olivia."
If only he could hear Olivia’s cries directly, it would bring ultimate satisfaction and also be like music to his soul.
---
Swift Family Residence.
Olivia walked into the house with stiff shoulders, her heels clicking against the marble floors. The trial had drained her completely, and she wanted nothing more than to lock herself in her bedroom and drown in silence.
Stephanie, who had just walked past her and towards the dining area where their lunch was served, suddenly stopped and turned to her. "Aren’t you going to have lunch?" she asked casually as if she had nothing to be bothered about.
"I’m not hungry," Olivia muttered without stopping, making her way toward the grand staircase.
Stephanie didn’t push. She simply observed as Olivia disappeared upstairs before pulling out the seat at the head table.
---
Once inside her room, Olivia kicked off her heels and sank onto the edge of her bed. Her entire body felt heavy, as though the weight of her mother’s sins had been placed on her shoulders.
She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her thighs as her mind replayed the events from the courthouse. The way the prosecutor had listed every crime. The way the jury had whispered among themselves. The way the judge had looked at her mother—like she was already guilty. And of course, she was guilty.
Olivia clenched her fists. Her mother had ruined her life. Her name, her reputation, her entire existence—tainted by her crimes.
A sharp ring from her phone jolted her from her thoughts. Olivia groaned, reaching for the device. She saw her lawyer’s name, ’Attorney Perkins’, on the screen and wiped a finger across it to answer the call.
"Hello?"
"Ms. Swift," came the professional yet impersonal voice of her lawyer. "I just received a message from Mr. Scott’s legal team."
Olivia’s fingers tightened around the phone. "What does that bastard want now?"
The lawyer cleared his throat. "Mr. Scott’s assets have been vetted. But if you do not settle the damages you caused at his residence as ordered by the court, you will not receive any further financial compensation from him awarded to you from the divorce."
Olivia’s grip on the phone turned painful. "Are you kidding me?" she hissed. She didn’t know she would have to pay for the damages first before receiving her divorce compensation.
"I’m afraid not," Attorney Perkins replied.
A sharp exhale escaped her lips. "How much?"
There was a pause before the lawyer began listing the damages. "The total amount includes the cost of property damage, specifically the broken windows. The glass was imported and custom-designed, hence the high price."
Olivia rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. How expensive could a couple of stupid windows be?"
"Considering the material and craftsmanship, they’re not ’stupid’ windows, Ms. Swift," her lawyer replied evenly. "Additionally, there is the compensation amount for the butler."
Olivia’s head snapped up. "The butler?"
"Yes, Ms. Swift. He sustained minor injuries due to physical assault."
"What minor injuries? I only slapped him once!" Furious, Olivia slapped the bed, her brows, twisted in fury. "In fact, that old man deserved worse."
Her lawyer sighed. "Regardless, if you do not pay the required amount, you could be sued for assault."
Olivia shut her eyes for a brief moment, trying to keep her anger in check. Then, through gritted teeth, she asked, "How much?"
The lawyer hesitated before giving her the total figure.
Olivia shot up from the bed. "Are you insane?"
The amount was ridiculous. Even as a Swift, with all the wealth her family had, she was not in a financial position to drop that kind of money on some broken windows and a whining butler.
She had no job, no steady income, and her monthly allowance was gone before she could even think about saving.
Instantly, she knew Owen was behind this. He was doing this on purpose. He wanted to push her into a corner. And worst of all, he was winning.
Olivia groaned, gripping her head. "Fine," she snapped. "I’ll raise the money and get back to you."
The call ended, and Olivia hurled her phone onto the bed.
She stood there for a moment, breathing heavily. Then, under her breath, she cursed Owen.
"I swear, I will ruin you."
Her fists clenched.
If she had known the kind of man he truly was... if she had known he was nothing but a heartless demon, she would have never gone after him.
She would have never taken him from Aurora. But it was too late for regrets now.
And the worst part is that she still has to deal with the nonsense she snatched, even though they were divorced.