Ch. 326..330: Trapped in a Secret Marriage with a Dangerous Billionaire Chapter 326-330
Chapter 326: What Stephanie was Up To
One week later, Aurora Scott stepped into Vintage Cellar for the first time since returning from the Scott family Christmas vacation. The air was crisp with the scent of aged wine and polished oak, a comforting familiarity that settled around her as she walked into her office.
Her assistant had already set everything in order—her schedule for the day, important documents stacked neatly on the desk, and a fresh cup of tea waiting for her.
She had barely settled into her chair when the door swung open without a knock.
Olivia.
Dressed in a sharp black pantsuit, Olivia stormed in, her expression thunderous. Without preamble, she spoke.
"Are you seriously going to sit there and watch Aunt Stephanie hand Ivy and Damien Assistant Manager positions here at Vintage Cellar?"
Aurora frowned, completely oblivious to that question. "What are you talking about?"
Olivia let out a dry chuckle and crossed her arms. "Oh, so you really don’t know? Or are you pretending not to?"
Aurora’s frown deepened. "Olivia, I don’t have time for this. You are not a task I have to cross of my schedule for today, so get to the point already."
Olivia exhaled sharply. And seeing that Aurora was genuinely in the dark about the changes that was about to be made, she forced herself to give more details to her complaints.
"Aunt Stephanie is trying to sneak her children into this company. I overheard someone saying that she asked HR to prepare employment letters for Ivy and Damien, appointing them as Assistant Managers. Does that sound fair to you?"
Aurora’s fingers tapped lightly on her desk as she processed the information. This news was new to her, so as her Aunt’s actions. She was genuinely at a loss.
"Are you seriously just going to sit there and do nothing about it?" Olivia pressed, her voice rising. "Are you going to let her plant her children in our father’s company after everything we did to build our own careers from scratch?"
Aurora’s gaze turned sharp. "Olivia, lower your voice when you speak to me."
Olivia gritted her teeth but took a step back. "Fine," she said, her tone calmer but no less cutting. "If you won’t do anything, I will handle it my way."
And with that, she spun on her heels and stormed out.
Aurora leaned back in her chair, exhaling slowly as she pressed her fingers along her forehead. Truth be told, she wasn’t surprised that her Aunt would try something like this because Xander had warned her beforehand—but she was disappointed.
Reaching for the phone, she dialled the HR department.
"This is Director Aurora," she said as soon as the manager picked up. "I need clarification on something. Did the chairwoman request employment letters for Ivy Coker and Damien Coker?"
There was a short pause before the HR manager replied, "Yes, ma’am. The request was made recently."
Aurora’s jaw tightened. "Have the letters been finalized and issued yet?"
"No, ma’am. We’re still processing them."
"Good," Aurora said firmly. "Halt the process immediately. Do not finalize anything without my direct approval."
"Understood, ma’am," the HR manager replied without hesitation.
Aurora set the receiver down and sighed, deep in thought.
"Aunt, what are you up to?" she muttered under her breath. Though, she hoped it wasn’t what she was thinking.
---
A few minutes later, Aurora left her office and walked straight to the CEO’s office, where Stephanie sat reviewing some documents.
Stephanie looked up with a smile. "Aurora, what a pleasant surprise. Have a seat."
Aurora didn’t return the smile. She took a seat but got straight to the point.
"Aunt, I heard you were trying to employ Ivy and Damien as Assistant Managers."
Stephanie chuckled lightly and leaned back in her chair. "Ah, so you found out already. I must say, I didn’t expect you to catch on so quickly."
Aurora didn’t return the amusement. After all, she had come here for serious business. "I’m deeply disappointed, Aunt Stephanie. I never thought you’d go behind my back to try and push something like this through."
Stephanie raised a brow. "I didn’t think I needed permission to employ competent people."
Aurora shook her head. "If you want your children to work here, they will have to start from the ground up—just like my father made me and Olivia do. No one skips the process."
Stephanie sighed, rubbing her temples. "I know you are worried about this, but I am not giving your cousins these roles just because they’re my children, Aurora. They have the qualifications and experience. And I’m not setting them up to inherit this company—I simply want them to gain the right work experience."
"It doesn’t matter," Aurora insisted. "No one, not even family, gets to bypass the system. I’ve already halted their employment process with HR. If you still want Ivy and Damien to join, they’ll start like everyone else. If not, then I suggest you find another plan."
Stephanie held her gaze for a long moment before exhaling deeply. "Alright, Aurora. I understand. I will let you know my decision soon."
Aurora gave a curt nod, stood up, and left the office. And just like that, she easily took care of the matter Olivia had been gravely worried about.
---
Later that evening, Stephanie FaceTimed Ivy and Damien, delivering the news.
"If you want to work at Vintage Cellar, you will have to start from the bottom," she told them.
Damien scoffed. "I don’t have the patience for that. I will focus on my own business instead."
Stephanie sighed, already expecting that response.
Ivy, on the other hand, frowned slightly but then nodded. "I don’t like it, but I will give it a try." She still had plans of looking for someone’s trouble.
"Good," Stephanie said.
---
A few hours later, Aurora received a call from Stephanie confirming that only Ivy would be joining the company.
"Understood. Her employment letter will be ready before the close of business today," Aurora assured her.
Stephanie agreed, and the call ended.
Towards the end of office hours, Olivia heard the news.
"So, the Assistant Manager positions are off the table?" she asked someone in HR, her lips twitching upward.
"Yes. Director Aurora ruled them out."
A slow smirk spread across Olivia’s face.
As she gathered her things to leave, excitement bubbled in her chest. She couldn’t wait to get home and rub this in Ivy’s face.
Chapter 327: Olivia and Juliet’s Faceoff
A month later, Ivy quit her job at Vintage Cellar, citing boredom and the demanding nature of the work.
Additionally, she was never able to disturb Olivia because her mother declined to make her one of Olivia’s assistants. Since her goal of joining Vintage Cellar wasn’t coming to fruition, she decided to leave for Paris to join a modelling agency.
Meanwhile, her brother Damien had already departed Wing City in the second week of January to pursue his business ventures. Consequently, Stephanie found herself alone in the Scott residence with Olivia.
---
SATURDAY.
The late afternoon sun streamed through the luxurious spa’s floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a soft golden hue over the polished marble floors.
The tranquil scent of essential oils lingered in the air, creating an atmosphere of relaxation—one that Olivia was more than eager to soak in.
She was dressed in a fitted cream-colored sweater dress, her dark waves cascading effortlessly over her shoulders as she handed her black card to the spa attendant at the payment desk.
Just as the attendant swiped her card and handed it back, her phone vibrated inside her handbag. She fished it out and glanced at the screen. It was a message from Caro.
Olivia and her friends had come to the spa to receive a good treatment. But because Olivia was the last to finish, her friends went down to the lobby first to shop for a few things while waiting for her.
Caro: "Guess who we just ran into in the lobby? Owen and his cheap-looking wife."
Olivia scoffed under her breath and rolled her eyes as she typed back, "What are they doing here? In fact, don’t answer the question. I don’t want to ruin my mood."
Just then, a familiar voice spoke beside her.
"So, you still have money to maintain yourself?"
Olivia turned her head slightly, her gaze meeting Victor’s smug smirk. Dressed in an expensive navy blue shirt and black pants, he stood beside her with his hands in his pockets, looking entirely too pleased to be in her presence.
She let out a dry chuckle, sliding her card into her handbag. "And so what if I do?" she asked with an arched brow. "How should it be any of your business?"
Victor tilted his head, his smirk deepening. "I just figured after everything you’d be struggling a little. Guess I was wrong."
Olivia rolled her eyes and turned fully toward him, stepping closer. "Listen, Victor," she said in a dangerously low voice. "If you don’t want to roll in the mud with me, stay out of my way."
He chuckled for a moment, but before he could respond sarcastically, Olivia had already brushed past him, heading toward the stairs.
---
As Olivia descended the stairs, she barely spared a thought for Caro’s message—until she saw Juliet climbing upwards.
The very sight of her, standing at the top of the stairs, one hand resting protectively over her baby bump, sent a surge of irritation through Olivia.
Juliet had already seen her too. A slow smirk curled on her lips as she stopped climbing, clearly waiting for Olivia to reach her.
Olivia rolled her eyes. She couldn’t be more bothered with her.
When she finally reached Juliet, she spoke flatly, "Move."
Juliet’s smirk widened. "Why so impatient, Olivia?" she cooed. "We haven’t seen each other in a long while."
Olivia clenched her jaw. "We are not in the same class, bitch! I don’t have time to entertain your foolishness, so get out of my way."
Juliet’s eyes gleamed. "Did you know Casey and I had a deal?"
Olivia’s brows furrowed slightly, but she didn’t respond.
Juliet continued, clearly enjoying herself. "She and I planned everything. She was the one who helped me get close to Owen... helped me frustrate and push you out of his life. And now look at where we are." She gestured down at her pregnant belly. "We won. You lost."
Olivia’s frown deepened. "You and Casey planned this?" This was surprising news to her.
Juliet’s smirk turned into a full grin. "Of course. She wanted revenge for what you and your mother did to her. You took her eye after all. It’s a big deal."
Olivia scoffed. If it were before, she would have raged on and probably gone to fight Casey. But she was hanging on a lifeline and couldn’t afford to chase after irrelevant things.
Already, her and Owen’s relationship had turned sour even before their wedding, so Juliet had no input in this case.
"You and Casey are too lame to match my intelligence," Olivia said. "Tell Casey that if she did all this just for revenge, then she got the wrong person. I had nothing to do with her missing eye, even though it suits her anyway."
Juliet’s smirk faded for a split second before returning. "Liar."
Olivia chuckled dryly. "I don’t care if you believe me or not. But stop being foolish and enjoy your marriage while it lasts."
Juliet’s eyes narrowed. "You’re jealous."
Olivia clenched her fists, irritation coursing through her veins. Her patience with Juliet had long run thin, and there was just one thing stopping her from pushing her down the stairs. She didn’t want to be a murderer like her mother.
Juliet tilted her head. "You’re jealous because I took your place—"
"You took my trash." Olivia cut her off, her voice as sharp as a blade.
Juliet’s nostrils flared. Owen hasn’t been kind to her since that scene during their Christmas vacation, but she quickly regained her composure.
She glanced around, then leaned in slightly. "There are no cameras here," she whispered. "And no one is coming. Were you thinking of pushing me?"
Olivia’s fingers twitched as her eyes blazed. "Oh, hell yes! If you don’t get out of my way this second, you will see yourself writhing in pain at the bottom of the stairs."
---
Meanwhile, Owen had just finished speaking with an old acquaintance in the lobby when he started making his way toward the stairs.
He had only just placed his foot on the first step when a loud scream shattered the air.
His heart lurched in his chest. Before he could blink, Juliet was rolling—falling—down the stairs.
"Juliet!" Owen shouted, eyes wide in horror.
The moment she hit the bottom, blood pooled beneath her. Her face twisted in pain as she reached for him weakly. "Owen... Olivia pushed me..."
Her voice was faint, barely a whisper, before her eyes fluttered shut.
Owen felt a rush of panic. "Juliet?! Stay with me!"
People began gathering around. Gasps filled the air.
Olivia rushed down the stairs, stopping abruptly when she saw Juliet sprawled on the floor, unconscious in Owen’s arms.
Then, Owen looked up at her. The glare he gave her was filled with so much rage that Olivia felt a rare jolt of fear creep down her spine.
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
"What happened?" someone asked.
Another voice shouted, "Call an ambulance!"
Owen’s chest rose and fell rapidly as his grip tightened around Juliet. Then, in a voice filled with venom, he lifted a shaking finger and pointed directly at Olivia.
"She pushed my wife," he declared. "Someone, call the police."
Gasps erupted from the onlookers as their eyes fell on Olivia.
Her throat dried as fear gripped her.
This was bad. Very bad.
Chapter 328: Breaking News!
BREAKING NEWS: OLIVIA SWIFT ALLEGEDLY PUSHES JULIET SCOTT DOWN THE STAIRS AT LUXURY SPA—POLICE INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY!
Tea Time Gossip Blog never sleeps, and neither does the drama surrounding the Scott family. Just when we thought the new year would start off quietly, Wing City has been shaken by a scandal so intense, it could rival a blockbuster movie plot!
Sources confirm that Olivia Swift, the infamous ex-wife of Owen Scott, allegedly pushed his current pregnant wife, Juliet Scott, down a flight of stairs at an exclusive spa earlier today!
This marks the first public encounter between the two women since Juliet successfully snagged Owen and took Olivia’s place as Mrs. Scott. And oh boy, what a first meeting it turned out to be!
Here’s What Happened:
Witnesses report that Juliet and Olivia crossed paths at the staircase of the spa just moments before disaster struck. What started as an exchange of words turned into a horrifying scene as Juliet was suddenly seen tumbling down the steps, screaming before she hit the marble floor.
Owen Scott, who had just arrived at the scene, rushed to his wife’s side, only to find her bleeding and barely conscious. And in the midst of the chaos, the most shocking moment came—Owen lifted his head, locked eyes with Olivia, and pointed straight at her before declaring, "She pushed my wife!"
Gasps. Whispers. Stunned silence.
And then? Owen demanded for someone to call the police!
Olivia’s Defense—Is She Telling the Truth?
Caught in the middle of the spectacle, Olivia immediately denied the accusation. Witnesses say she was visibly shaken as she tried to explain that she never even touched Juliet, claiming that Juliet fell on her own.
But words alone weren’t enough to stop what happened next.
Moments later, Olivia was escorted away in a police car, while Juliet was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance.
The Blind Spot Mystery—Who’s Lying?
An initial investigation revealed that the location where Juliet and Olivia had been standing was a blind spot—meaning, no cameras captured what really happened.
So now, the big question remains: Did Olivia actually push Juliet? Or is Juliet using this incident against her?
Tea Time Gossip Blog leaves the decision to you, our beloved readers! Drop your thoughts in the comment section—who do you believe?
--
HOT TAKES FROM THE COMMENT SECTION:
QueenBee77: "Olivia is a seasoned liar. Even if she’s innocent this time, no one will believe her. Without evidence, she’s in deep trouble!"
LuxGoddess: "Juliet is the one who’s always scheming! Mark my words, she’ll use this opportunity to ruin Olivia completely!"
RealTalkWingCity: "Owen will never let Olivia off easy. If anything happens to Juliet or the baby, he will make sure she rots in prison as payback for how their marriage ended."
JulietFanClub: "Y’all really think a woman who’s eight months pregnant would throw herself down the stairs? Come on! Olivia is obviously guilty."
ToxicTeaSipper: "Hmm... something doesn’t add up. Olivia had nothing to gain from hurting Juliet, but Juliet had everything to gain from making Olivia look like the villain. I smell a setup!"
Justice4BabyScott: "The real issue here is the baby’s life! Juliet is in critical condition, and doctors are working to save both her and the child. If anything happens to them, Olivia is done for!"
MissSelfish: "As for me, I don’t think Olivia would want to sabotage her life just like that."
MissWingCity: "This is like a twisted soap opera! Where’s my popcorn?!"
--
Tea Time Gossip Blog will continue to update you on this scandal as more details emerge. Stay tuned!
~Tea Time.
---
Swift Family’s Residence.
Stephanie sat in the living room, quietly flipping through a business report when the head butler approached her, his expression unusually tense.
"Ma’am," he began, his voice controlled but carrying an edge of urgency.
Stephanie lifted her gaze, instantly sensing something was wrong. "What is it?"
The butler hesitated for a fraction of a second before delivering the news. "Miss Olivia has been arrested."
Stephanie’s grip on the report faltered. A sharp breath escaped her lips as she shut her eyes momentarily, pressing her fingers against her temple. She inhaled deeply, steadying herself.
When she opened her eyes, her gaze was sharp and demanding. "What happened?"
The butler cleared his throat. "It’s all over the news, ma’am. Miss Olivia was accused of pushing Mrs. Juliet Scott down the stairs at a spa."
For a moment, silence hung in the room like an oppressive weight.
Stephanie’s jaw tightened. She exhaled slowly, then straightened her posture, already shifting into problem-solving mode.
"Bring me my phone," she ordered.
The butler moved swiftly, retrieving her phone from the nearby coffee table and placing it in her waiting palm. Without wasting another second, Stephanie dialled Aurora’s number.
The phone rang several times before the call finally connected.
---
Xander’s Private Residence.
Aurora hummed softly as she tended to the delicate roses in her in-house glass flower garden. A small pair of pruning shears rested in her gloved hand as she carefully trimmed away wilted petals, her focus entirely on her flowers.
The scent of fresh blossoms and damp earth filled the air, providing a soothing contrast to the storm that was about to hit her.
Just then, her phone rang.
Standing nearby, Nene quickly picked it up, glancing at the caller ID.
"It’s your Aunt," Nene informed her.
Aurora’s hand stilled for a brief moment. Then, with a sigh, she gestured toward Nene. "Pick it up and bring it over."
Nene answered the call and walked to where Aurora stood, gently placing the phone against her ear.
"Hello, Aunt Stephanie," Aurora greeted.
Stephanie didn’t waste time with pleasantries. "Aurora, listen to me carefully. Olivia has been arrested."
Aurora froze almost immediately.
Stephanie continued, her tone quick and heavy. "It happened earlier today at a spa. She was accused of pushing Owen’s new wife, Juliet, down the stairs."
The pruning shears slipped from Aurora’s fingers, landing on the grass with a dull thud.
Her heart pounded violently against her ribs. "What? Olivia did what?"
"I don’t have all the details yet," Stephanie admitted. "But the butler informed me just now, and the scandal is already all over the news. I haven’t reached out to the Scott family yet. I wanted to call you first."
Chapter 329: A Life in Danger
Aurora’s breath hitched. Her mind raced through endless possibilities. Juliet was heavily pregnant. If something happened to her or the baby—no, this was bad.
"What’s the situation with Juliet?" Aurora asked, trying to steady her voice.
"I don’t know yet," Stephanie admitted. "That’s what I’m about to find out."
Aurora felt lightheaded. The overwhelming rush of emotions made the world around her blur.
Her vision swayed, and just as she stumbled, Nene caught her.
"Ma’am!" Nene’s voice was laced with concern as she helped Aurora onto the nearby couch.
Aurora took a shaky breath, pressing a hand to her forehead. "Aunt, go ahead and get more information. Call me back as soon as you have anything."
"Understood," Stephanie replied. "Stay put for now."
As soon as the call ended, Nene took the phone from Aurora’s hand.
"Are you alright?" she asked, worry evident in her tone.
Aurora shook her head, her hands trembling slightly.
This wasn’t just some gossip or petty drama. This scandal was about to destroy everyone related to Olivia.
---
The sterile scent of antiseptics lingered in the air of the hospital corridor, blending with the hushed murmurs of doctors and nurses rushing past. Owen sat stiffly in a chair, his hands clasped tightly together, his mind racing with thoughts he wished he could silence.
Juliet lay unconscious in the operating room, her life hanging by a thread. The doctor’s words still echoed in his ears like a dreadful curse.
"The baby isn’t doing well in the womb due to the fall. We need to perform an emergency cesarean to save its life."
Owen had shut his eyes, inhaling deeply before giving his consent. He signed the form with trembling fingers, each stroke of the pen feeling like an unbreakable contract with fate.
Now, all he could do was wait.
Just then, hurried footsteps sounded from the hallway. His parents had arrived.
Patricia’s eyes scanned the room the moment she entered. Her gaze locked onto her son, and without hesitation, she rushed to him.
"Owen!" she called, her tone sharp with urgency. "Is it true? Did Olivia really push Juliet down the stairs?"
Owen lifted his head slowly, his face devoid of emotion. "Yes."
Patricia’s chest heaved with anger as she clenched her fists. "That wicked woman! I knew she was trouble from the start! How dare she do this to our family?"
Richard, standing beside her, cut in with a more composed voice, but there was an unmistakable edge to it. "What are the doctors saying about Juliet’s condition?"
Owen swallowed hard before answering, his voice hoarse. "She’s in critical condition. She’d lost a lot of blood, and the baby wasn’t doing well. They had to prepare for an emergency C-section because Juliet is unconscious."
Patricia’s face darkened with fear and fury. She gritted her teeth, her fingers curling around her handbag strap as though restraining herself from lashing out. "Let nothing happen to my grandchild," she hissed, her voice trembling.
Just then, another set of frantic footsteps approached.
Juliet’s parents rushed in, their expressions stricken with fear.
Juliet’s mother had tears streaming down her face as she clutched her husband’s arm. "Owen," she gasped, her voice breaking. "My daughter—how is she? Tell me, how is Juliet?"
Owen exhaled deeply, forcing himself to meet her distressed gaze. "She’s still unconscious, but they’re doing everything they can. The doctors are operating now."
Juliet’s mother covered her mouth, her sobs muffled by her trembling hands. Her husband, though visibly shaken, held her close, rubbing her shoulder in silent reassurance.
The waiting room fell into a tense silence, filled only by the beeping of distant machines and the faint murmur of passing nurses.
They could do nothing but wait.
---
A Few Hours Later...
The sound of hurried footsteps and the soft creak of a door opening made everyone look up.
The doctor stepped into the waiting room, his expression grim.
Owen sprang to his feet, his heart thudding painfully against his ribs. "Doctor?"
The doctor sighed, his voice careful. "The baby has been delivered through cesarean, but... there is a complication."
Patricia took a step forward, her hands trembling. "What do you mean? Where is my grandchild?"
The doctor’s shoulders sagged slightly. "The baby isn’t breathing properly. There’s a severe lack of oxygen. We had to place them in an incubator immediately. Right now, the medical team is doing everything they can to stabilize the child."
A heavy silence fell over the room.
Patricia’s lips parted slightly before she rushed forward and grabbed the doctor’s arm, desperation flooding her eyes.
"You have to save my grandchild!" she pleaded, her voice breaking. "I don’t care what it takes! The Scott family will pay any amount—just save that child!"
The doctor gave her a reassuring nod. "We’re doing everything possible, Mrs. Scott. We won’t give up."
Juliet’s mother, still in distress, grabbed her husband’s arm and turned to the doctor. "What about Juliet?" she asked, her voice laced with fear. "Is she—?"
The doctor softened his gaze. "She’s responding well to treatment. We expect her to wake up by tomorrow morning."
Juliet’s parents exhaled deeply, a wave of relief washing over them.
But for Owen, relief was still far from reach. His mind remained trapped in turmoil.
His wife was unconscious, and his child was fighting for its life, all because of that witch.
Olivia was the one who caused this.
His fists clenched at his sides. He wasn’t going to let her get away with it. Never!
---
Swift Family’s Residence.
Stephanie sat in her study, gripping her phone tightly as she listened to the voice on the other end.
"Madam, I already told you the security footage doesn’t cover the spot where the fall happened. We have no visual proof of what really took place."
Stephanie shut her eyes and exhaled sharply, frustration pressing heavily against her chest. "So you’re saying it’s Olivia’s word against Juliet’s?"
"Exactly, Madam."
Stephanie ended the call and immediately dialled the police station next. The officer on duty picked up after a few rings.
"Hello, this is Stephanie Coker. I’m calling regarding my niece Olivia Swift’s arrest."
"Ah, yes, Madam Coker," the officer responded politely. "Miss Swift has been detained for further questioning. Her statement has been taken."
Stephanie rubbed her temple. "What did she say?"
Chapter 330: Olivia’s Words Against Juliet’s
"She insists that she did not push Juliet Scott. She claims Juliet lost her balance and fell on her own."
Stephanie sighed, gripping the bridge of her nose. "And what’s next?"
"The investigation is ongoing. Given the severity of the case—assault on a pregnant woman—things don’t look good for Miss Swift, especially with Mr. Owen Scott’s statement confirming she pushed his wife."
Stephanie thanked the officer and ended the call.
Her stomach churned with anxiety. The scandal was already all over the news, and Owen had every reason to make sure Olivia didn’t walk free.
Stephanie thought for a moment and decided that she had to call Owen’s father. At least, he would be easier to talk to than his wife in this kind of situation.
Taking a deep breath, she dialled Richard’s number.
He picked up on the second ring, his voice cold and sharp. "Stephanie."
"Richard," she greeted carefully, already anticipating hostility. "I heard the news. I apologize for what happened. I just wanted to check in on Juliet and the baby. How are they?"
"Juliet is stable for now. She hasn’t woken up yet. The baby... is in an incubator, struggling to breathe." Then his voice turned fierce "If anything happens to either of them, Olivia will pay."
Stephanie closed her eyes. "Richard, I—"
"Save it," he cut her off. "I don’t want to hear any excuses. Olivia pushed my son’s pregnant wife down a flight of stairs. This isn’t something the Scott family will let slide."
Stephanie swallowed the lump in her throat. "I just—Once again, I’m sorry for all of this."
Richard scoffed. "Sorry won’t change anything. Goodbye, Stephanie."
The line went dead.
Stephanie slumped into her chair, rubbing her face. She felt helpless. How had it come to this?
She got up, pacing the room, her chest tightening with emotions she didn’t want to acknowledge. "Why, Olivia?" she whispered, shaking her head. "I thought you were doing well with your treatment."
Honestly, Stephanie couldn’t fathom this situation.
For a brief moment, she felt like crying because of the dire situation both the family and the company has been put in, but she quickly pulled herself together. There was no time for that.
After calming herself, she reached for her phone again and called Aurora.
"Aurora, I have made a call to the spa and to the station. There is no evidence proving otherwise, but Olivia claiming that she didn’t push Juliet, that Juliet slipped and fell on her own. But Owen swears it because Juliet told him Olivia had pushed her, just before she passed out."
Aurora’s chest tightened. "And Juliet? What’s her condition?"
"She’s stable, but she hasn’t woken up yet. The baby is in an incubator," Stephanie revealed.
Aurora felt her heart drop. She pressed a hand against her forehead. "This is insane," she whispered under her breath.
"Aurora, this is terrible. The scandal is everywhere. Olivia has gotten us in serious trouble this time," Stephanie warned.
Aurora took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing thoughts. "Aunt, please visit Olivia at the station tomorrow. Try to get her to tell you the truth—the real truth. If she did push Juliet, I need to know."
"I will do that," Stephanie promised.
As soon as the call ended, Nene gently took the phone from Aurora’s hand.
"Madam, should I get you some water?"
Aurora shook her head. "No... I just need to think." The whole situation was overwhelming for her. And she wished Xander was here to tell her what to do. Sadly, he has travelled again because of his mission.
---
Meanwhile, in Ella’s luxurious apartment, she, Caro and Rita sat in her living room, sipping wine and staring at their phones. The news of Olivia’s alleged assault on Juliet was everywhere.
"This is crazy," Caro muttered, scrolling through the headlines. "I mean, Olivia has always hated Juliet, but I never thought she’d actually push her down the stairs."
Rita shook her head in disappointment. "If Olivia really did this, then she’s no different from her mother."
Caro and Ella turned to look at her.
Rita crossed her arms. "Think about it. Stella Swift is in prison for murder. And now her daughter is being accused of almost killing a pregnant woman?" She scoffed. "It’s in their blood."
Ella sighed. "Do you guys really think Olivia pushed Juliet?"
Caro leaned back on the couch, her expression conflicted. "I don’t know. I want to believe Olivia wouldn’t go that far, but we also know she hates Juliet for ruining her marriage. It makes sense."
Rita sipped her wine. "If there’s one thing Olivia hates more than anything, it’s losing. She lost Owen to Juliet. That’s enough motive."
Ella exhaled deeply. "But... what if Juliet is lying? What if she’s using this to get rid of Olivia once and for all?"
Rita arched a brow. "Do you think Juliet would risk her own child just to frame Olivia?"
Silence.
Ella and Caro exchanged looks, and for the first time, doubt crept in.
"Either way," Rita said, setting her glass down, "Olivia is screwed. Without evidence to prove her innocence, she’s done for."
"I wish we hadn’t texted Olivia about Juliet in the first place," Caro said with a tinge of regret in her tone.
The room fell into an uneasy silence as they contemplated the severity of the situation.
They had all watched Olivia as the police took her away.
***
The following morning, Stephanie arrived at the police station, her sharp heels clicking against the cold floor as she followed the officer down the hallway. The air inside the detention facility was heavy, filled with the muffled voices of officers and detainees.
As soon as she stepped inside the dimly lit holding room, she spotted Olivia sitting on the steel bench, her arms crossed over her chest, looking pale and tired.
When Olivia lifted her head and saw her aunt, she let out a heavy sigh. "Aunt Stephanie..."
Stephanie sat down across from her, scrutinizing her with a stern gaze. "I want the truth, Olivia." Her voice was steady but firm. "Did you push Juliet?"
Olivia scoffed. "If I wanted to push her, I would have done it a long time ago, and trust me, I would have made sure she never got back up."
Stephanie’s eyes darkened. "That’s not the answer I want to hear."