Chapter 36
Tears welled up in Debbie’s eyes as she choked out, “Dad, I’m your daughter. Why are you always on Olivia’s side?
“With our current situation, no respectable family would want to marry me. The Wilson family was my only shot at marrying up. My whole life is ruined and you don’t even stand up for me.”
Carol moved to her daughter’s side, gently wiping her tears with a look full of pain. Then she glanced at Garrett and said, “You know Dylan doesn’t even like Olivia. Once Morgan passes away, Dylan will definitely divorce her.
“When that happens, we will lose our strong backer, and things will only get worse. We need to prepare in advance. Why don’t we have Debs take Olivia’s place and marry Dylan instead? What do you think?”
Garrett instantly rejected the idea. “What kind of nonsense is that? You want her to snatch her cousin’s husband? People would laugh at us. I’m absolutely against it.
“Besides, if someone as stunning as Olivia can’t win Dylan’s heart, do you think Debs can? Don’t set her up for humiliation.”
Debbie’s face twisted with resentment. “Aside from looks and maybe figure, how am I worse than her in any way?”
Carol patted Debbie’s shoulder gently to comfort her before saying, “Olivia does look better, but she has a shameful past. Between looks and a clean history, a woman’s innocence is the most valuable thing she can offer.
“Olivia is nothing more than damaged goods. I can’t even bear to sit at the same table with her. Isn’t it obvious why Dylan can’t stand her?”
Garrett’s face darkened instantly. He stood up and slapped Carol hard across the face. “Olivia is your niece. How can you say something so harsh about her? You have no proof.
“Spouting filth like that without proof is slander. You’re spreading obscene rumors about your own niece. I really can’t believe that.”
Carol stared at Garrett in disbelief. In all their years of marriage, Garrett had never once laid a hand on her. Yet now, he struck her over a girl who wasn’t even their daughter.
Carol’s face flushed with both fury and hurt as she snapped back through angry tears, “How is it slander? If she didn’t see herself, how else could she possibly make over a million dollars a month overseas?
“Sometimes it was even several million. That’s more than we used to make in a year before we went bankrupt. Doesn’t that seem suspicious to you?”
Garrett shot back, “Ollie already explained. She fought in underground arenas. More bets placed meant bigger prize pools.”
Carol sneered, “Only a fool like you would buy that crap. Those arenas are just bait for rich men. The real money comes after the fight when she warms their beds. You think swinging punches gets her that kind of cash? Wake up.”
Debbie chimed in, “The matches Olivia took part in were known for their erotic marketing. What Mom’s saying makes a lot of sense.”
Carol continued, “Debs is younger, and she’s still a virgin. Maybe Dylan would actually be into her. Be honest, would you rather be with a hot girl who’s already slept with many men, or with a decent–looking girl who’s a virgin?”
Garrett’s face turned crimson, then pale, then dark again. He couldn’t get a word out for a long moment.
Carol pressed on. “Honey, I know you’re soft on Olivia. You think she had a rough life, so you pity her. But don’t forget about the Kaur family. We have to think about our future. Just let Olivia help Debs get closer to Dylan.
“Debs is thoughtful and well–mannered. If she marries Dylan, she’ll definitely win his heart. That way, the Kaur family might at least manage to hold on to what little we still have.”
Garrett stood frozen for a moment, then shook with frustration. He finally flung up his hands and growled, “Don’t bother me with this mess. Do whatever the hell you want.”
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Chapter 36
He stormed off to his room, His silence was as good as consent
Meanwhile, in the backyard, Olivia quietly stood to the side. She came out and saw Bradley sitting cross–legged on the grass, deep in meditations
She didn’t interrupt him. Instead, she waited in silence for her grandfather to finish his session.
Half an hour later, Bradley finally took a long, deep breath and opened his eyes.
“Grandpa,” Olivia stepped forward and greeted him.
Bradley looked surprised. As he got to his feet, he asked, “When did you get here? Why didn’t you call out
Olivia smiled, “I haven’t been here long.”
She gently supported him as they walked over to the nearby chairs and sat down together.
“How have you been feeling lately?” Olivia asked. “Have you visited the hospital for regular checkups?”
to
me?”
Ever since the family’s downfall and the passing of her grandmother, Bradley’s health had declined rapidly. He developed a persistent cough, and his heart started giving him trouble.
Bradley waved her off. “Just some old ailments. Nothing serious. Don’t worry about me. Just take care of yourself.”
“I’m doing well, Grandpa. You don’t have to worry,” Olivia replied with a soft smile.
Bradley patted her hand reassuringly. “I saw the news online a while ago. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Just let things take their course. Whatever becomes of the Kaur family, that’s what we should face. It’s not your burden.
“You barely had the chance to enjoy any of the family’s glory. We shouldn’t pin all our hopes on your shoulders. From now on, put yourself first. Don’t keep sacrificing for the sake of this family, alright?”
Though none of the people in the news clips showed their faces–everyone was blurred–Bradley recognized his granddaughter instantly. No matter how pixelated the image, he knew it was Olivia.
The public seemed to think Olivia, as the legal wife, had righteously slapped the mistress in a satisfying, dramatic twist. But all Bradley saw was Olivia’s quiet pain. There was nothing satisfying about it at all.
Dylan took his mistress on a trip and even bought her expensive gifts all right under Olivia’s nose. That wasn’t just humiliation; it was betrayal delivered with a knife to Olivia’s heart.
Even if others gifted Olivia something more valuable afterward, it co the sting of Dylan’s actions.
Bradley sighed heavily, “I never imagined Dylan could be that cruel to bring his mistress in front of you. He even tramples your feelings and acts like you don’t even matter.”
Olivia forced a light–hearted laugh. “Grandpa, I didn’t know you’d still pay attention to gossip like that?”
Bradley replied, “The kids were talking about it. I just asked some questions and ended up seeing something so upsetting.
“I feel so uncomfortable just watching. I can’t imagine how heartbroken you would feel. If it’s really that unbearable, just divorce him. After that, go abroad and leave all of this behind. Don’t worry about the family anymore.”
Olivia responded, “I won’t let myself suffer, Grandpa. I know what I’m doing. The doctors told you to stress less, remember? So please, don’t overthink things.”
Bradley let out another weary sigh but didn’t say anything else.
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Chapter 36
That evening, Olivia stayed for dinner. There were no housekeepers in the house anymore. Daily meals were usually prepared by Card: But every tires Olivia returned, the job conveniently fell to her, under the guise of fulfilling her duty to her grandpa,
Olivia didn’t mind doing something for her family. She used to cook daily for Dylan when they were home together, so making a meal for her family wasn’t a big deal.
She even sympathized with Carol, who had to cook for such a large family. The other family finger, but Carol came from a poor family background, and she could handle housework.
/members were too used to being served and didn’t lift a
Ever since the Kaur family lost their wealth and the servants were dismissed, all the chores had fallen to Carol
Olivia suggested hiring a maid for them, but the family was still buried in debt, and they were too concerned about public opinion to hire one.
Olivia thought as she stirred a pot, ‘Those who can endure hardships just seem destined to suffer. Carol is exactly that kind of person.
Halfway through cooking, Olivia’s phone rang. It was a call from Dylan.
As soon as Olivia answered the call, Dylan’s impatient voice came. “Where the hell are you? Why aren’t you home yet?”
“I’m staying at my grandfather’s place tonight,” Olivia replied in an even tone. “I’ll be back tomorrow. And unless it’s about your grandfather, don’t call me again. I don’t want to talk to you.”
With that, she hung up decisively.
But just as she finished preparing the meal, an unexpected visitor arrived at the house.
A
