Olivia paced nervously in the corridor, her heart racing uncontrollably as she checked her watch for what felt like the hundredth time. This was the day she had waited for so long – the day she would finally meet Christopher Brooks, the renowned lawyer known for his impeccable track record. She had dressed impeccably for the occasion, her dark brown hair tied into a sleek bun and her tailored business suit accentuating her slender figure.As she paced, the sound of her high heels clicking on the polished tiled floor echoed through the corridor. Suddenly, she heard the sound of approaching footsteps and turned to see a man dressed in a crisp white shirt and well-ironed pants walking towards her, accompanied by another man who looked like he had just rolled out of bed. Olivia's eyes widened as she caught sight of Christopher Brooks, his piercing blue eyes and chiseled features leaving her breathless.Brooks walked to the end of the corridor, oblivious to her presence, and shuffled throu
The office fell silent as Olivia departed, her devastated expression etched in the minds of the two men remaining. Nathan, Christopher's friend and assistant, broke the silence with a thoughtful comment."That was harsh, Christopher. She looked like she had nothing left," Nathan said, his voice tinged with empathy, accompanied by a small, sympathetic smile.Christopher shrugged, his expression unyielding. "Not my problem," he replied, his tone detached, as he returned to the files on his desk.Meanwhile, Olivia stepped out of the building, the cool air outside offering little solace for the ache in her heart. Desperation fueled her determination. Time was running out for her brother, and she knew she had to act swiftly. The exact amount Christopher would demand was unknown, but she was resolute in her pursuit to secure his services, no matter the cost.Back in the office, Christopher's phone rang, breaking the silence. He answered, his voice crisp. "Christopher here."The caller's wor
As Olivia stepped out of a loan organization she visited, exhaustion washed over her like a wave. The weight of her brother's troubles threatened to crush her, and the daunting task of finding a way to save him seemed insurmountable. The kind of trouble he was in required a skilled lawyer, someone who could defend him and secure his freedom. And the only person she knew who possessed the expertise and tenacity to take on the case and win was Christopher Brooks.But he had turned her down, leaving her feeling defeated and lost. Olivia wondered if she should try meeting him again, but the prospect of securing another meeting seemed daunting. It might take time, and time was a luxury she couldn't afford. Maybe, just maybe, she could go through his friend who had been present during their meeting. He had seemed kind and genuinely interested in helping.Just as Olivia's thoughts were spiraling into despair, the heavy sound of thunderstorm disrupted her reverie. The sky grew dark, and the a
Lost in thought, Olivia forgot she had left her umbrella in the car. Undeterred by the rain, she continued walking, her feet carrying her home. The car ride had significantly shortened her journey, and after a thirty-minute walk, she finally reached her house.As she rummaged through her bag, she noticed it was damp, but thankfully, the waterproof lining had protected the contents. She fished out her keys, selected the right one, and unlocked the door to her cozy little home.A wave of nostalgia washed over her as she stepped inside. The house held a treasure trove of memories, and every time she entered, it felt like a warm hug. The thought of selling it to hire a top-notch lawyer had crossed her mind, but she was hesitant. This was her childhood home, after all. If all else failed, she would have to consider selling it to secure her brother's freedom.For now, she pushed those thoughts aside and headed straight to the bathroom. She peeled off her damp clothes and soaked herself in t
An uncomfortable silence filled the room, with Nathan sporting a wide smile and Olivia looking utterly shocked."He asked me to find a bride for him," Nathan said, his smile unwavering. "No better option than you, Miss Olivia." He paused, awaiting her response. "What's your answer?"Olivia's confusion got the better of her. "Why me?" she asked, her voice laced with skepticism. She wasn't from a wealthy family, nor was she the most beautiful woman in the country. What made her the best choice for Christopher?Nathan leaned forward, his expression serious. "It's a contract marriage, Miss Olivia. He needs a woman to claim his inheritance. You can help him secure it, and in return, he'll help fight your brother's case. It's a win-win situation." He gave her a moment to process the information before continuing. "As it's a contract marriage, you both have the right to set your own conditions. Anything you'd want in the marriage or even when you'd want to separate."Olivia's mind reeled as
Olivia lay in bed, her mind consumed by thoughts of the next day. She would be meeting Christopher again, but this time, she felt very determined. She was ready to be bolder, more assertive, and prove that she was the only one who could help him. Still, a sliver of doubt crept into her mind, threatening to undermine her confidence. What if Christopher rejected her? What if he deemed her unnecessary and asked Nathan to find someone else? She pushed the unsettling thoughts aside, focusing on the task at hand. After being denied an advance at her workplace, where she worked as a waitress, Olivia had made the difficult decision to take a leave of absence. She was determined to secure Raymond's release from jail, no matter what it took. Her little boy was suffering for something he didn't do, and she was his only hope. As she retired for the day, her mind was still racing with thoughts of the upcoming meeting. She tried to calm her nerves, but her mind refused to quiet. The darkness ou
Christopher's eyes narrowed into slits as he gazed at Olivia, Nathan's handpicked choice for him. He often wondered about the inner workings of his friend's mind, but this latest move left him baffled. What possessed Nathan to think pairing him with Olivia was a good idea? "Can I sit?" she asked, her voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty. Olivia's small, charming smile faltered for a moment as she awaited Christopher's response to her question, but Christopher's silence was deafening. He didn't respond, didn't even acknowledge her presence. Undeterred, Olivia took a seat across from him, her gaze wandering around the vast, empty space. The restaurant was enormous, with high ceilings and large windows that let in a flood of natural light. But despite its size, the room was eerily quiet, the only sound the soft hum of the air conditioning. Olivia's brow furrowed in confusion. Where were the other patrons? The bustling atmosphere? The clinking of dishes? Instead, there was only sil
A loud, mocking laugh escaped Christopher's lips, and Olivia couldn't help but wonder why he found this moment so amusing. His laughter abruptly stopped, and he raised an eyebrow. "Is it that easy to get you ruffled?" he questioned, a hint of surprise dancing on his face. "I'm Christopher Brooks, and it would be a shame to have you bear my child," he continued, his tone dripping with condescension. "So, don't worry, nothing like that will happen between us." Olivia's eyes flashed with resentment, sensing he was looking down on her again because of her status. "I also don't want to bear your child, Mr. Christopher," she retorted, her voice firm. "I want to have a child with someone I love." Christopher's chuckle returned, and Olivia wondered what he found so amusing. "Love? What a joke," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "There will be nothing like that in this marriage." Olivia pressed her lips together, nodding slightly. "Good," Christopher responded, and an uncomf
As usual, Olivia freshened up, taking extra time to gather her thoughts before heading to the dining room. She wasn’t sure why she felt uneasy this morning. Maybe it was the lingering feeling from last night—being carried into her room by Christopher. The thought of it had haunted her since she woke up, and now, it was hard to shake off. Why did it bother her so much? He was just a cold, distant man, right? Still, the thought of his hands on her was enough to stir a mix of emotions, something she couldn’t quite place. When she entered the dining room, Christopher and Sophia were already sitting at the table. Racheal, however, was nowhere to be seen, which was odd. Olivia glanced around briefly, but the absence didn’t linger in her mind for long. She took her seat, offering Christopher a neutral smile. "Good morning, Mr. Christopher." Her voice sounded steady, but there was a nervous flutter in her chest. She couldn’t help but notice the way his eyes flickered toward her as she s
The study was suddenly swallowed in darkness, the only light now coming from the faint glow of the fireplace. The storm outside howled louder, and the room seemed to shrink with the shadows. “Stay calm,” Christopher said evenly. “It’ll be fixed soon.” Olivia nodded, even though she knew he couldn’t see her. “Mr. Christopher,” she called, her voice barely above a whisper, as she nervously bit her lip. “Hm?” he responded, curious. “I have a small request,” she began, then quickly added, “It’s about my brother’s case.” “I’m listening." “If there’s anything I can do to help, even something small, please let me know. I know you’re handling the case, but I want to be useful. I want to do something... anything.” For a long moment, Christopher didn’t reply. Olivia could feel the weight of his gaze, even in the dark, as though he was thinking, processing her words. When he finally spoke, his voice was softer than before, though still as controlled as ever. “Okay.” The silen
Christopher led the way out of the dining room, his footsteps confident and unhurried. Olivia followed a few steps behind, her own pace slower. They ascended the grand staircase to the top floor, Christopher’s private floor, where silence seemed to hang heavier and the air felt colder, more serious. He stopped in front of a wide double door and pushed it open, revealing his study. The study had two entrances along the same corridor, each with its own door. The last time Christopher had called Olivia in, she had entered through the front door, which led to the section where he usually worked. But the door they were now approaching was the main entrance to the study, the heart of the room. The room was nothing short of breathtaking. Tall shelves lined the walls, filled with thick leather-bound books, some old, others pristine. One corner housed a large, gleaming oak desk, clutter-free save for a sleek laptop and a silver penholder. A painting of a stormy ocean hung above it—wild, u
Olivia stiffened. The woman had received the same symbol, a withered black rose. Just like the one she’d gotten days ago. Was it a coincidence? Or was she now the next pawn in someone’s twisted game? She swallowed hard, trying to piece it all together. Someone had forced this woman to call the police right after the shot was fired. Someone had planned everything to make her brother look guilty. And now… that same someone had sent her a warning. “Do you know why they blackmailed you?” Olivia asked, her voice low but firm. Mrs. Kimberly shook her head, her shoulders sagging. “I don’t. I swear I don’t. I just… I got the messages. They knew things about me, things no one should know. I didn’t have a choice.” Her voice cracked as she looked away, shame flickering across her face. “I was scared.” Olivia’s chest tightened. For a moment, she saw a different version of the woman—one no longer poised or proud, but vulnerable. Frightened. Used. Still, her brother was paying the price
Right now, Olivia couldn’t make sense of what was happening. Her vision blurred as the pressure against her throat tightened, each breath more difficult than the last. Just moments ago, the woman had worn a mask of warmth and charm in the hall, smiling, speaking sweetly. But out here in the corridor, she’d shed the act, revealing something darker. A twisted truth. From the little Olivia could grasp through her panic, Mrs. Kimberly was mistaking her for someone else—a journalist, apparently. Someone who had once uncovered a dangerous secret. Someone who had been paid to keep silent. Blackmail... the woman had mentioned blackmail. What was going on? Olivia’s mind raced. If she didn’t figure out what this woman believed, what she feared, then she wouldn’t just fail her mission. She might not even make it out of this corridor. And worse, the truth she came searching for might die right here with her. “C-Ca-Can we talk?” Olivia choked out, her voice barely more than a strained
Olivia’s breath hitched, her entire body going rigid. She didn’t move. Couldn’t. The way Mrs. Kimberly’s eyes narrowed—sharp and probing, it was like she was being stripped bare right in the middle of the room. Olivia’s heart pounded against her ribs, loud and fast, like a warning drum in her chest. Did she know? Had she figured her out? A cold sweat crept down the back of her neck, but Olivia held her ground, forcing her face to remain neutral. Calm. Unbothered. Inside, though, she was unraveling. Mrs. Kimberly took one step forward. Then another. Each footfall echoed louder than the last, as if the whole salon had gone quiet. Olivia’s fingers curled slightly by her side. She couldn’t tell if the woman was about to accuse her or dismiss her, or worse. Then suddenly, just when Olivia’s nerves were about to snap— “Oh my goodness!” Mrs. Kimberly exclaimed, breaking into a wide smile before wrapping her arms around Olivia. The hug came so suddenly, Olivia nearly stumbled. She f
Olivia stepped deeper into the hall and spotted an empty seat near the corner. She slid into it with practiced ease, smoothing her dress and pulling out her phone to feign interest. Her heart was beating far too fast for comfort, but her face remained stoic. A worker approached—a young woman with short black hair tucked neatly under a cap, her gloved hands folded politely. “Good morning, ma'am,” she said with a respectful smile. Olivia glanced at her, then remembered who she was meant to be. Her real self—the kind, soft-spoken girl, had no place here. She cleared her throat and sank back into the seat, voice cool and clipped. “I’ll begin later.” The worker nodded and walked away, unfazed. Olivia exhaled slowly. She hated being curt, but in here, she wasn’t Olivia Harris. She was a poised, high-class woman with status—and that role demanded presence, not kindness. Her eyes scanned the salon. The space smelled of expensive oils and faint rosewater. Sleek mirrors lined the
Olivia slipped into the back seat of Christopher’s car, her fingers brushing nervously over her skirt as she settled beside him. Her heart was racing—loud, wild, relentless. Today wasn’t just another day and the weight of it pressed heavily on her chest. The driver entered moments later, and the car eased into motion. They were headed to the beauty salon—the one Christopher had subtly mentioned the night before during dinner. Just a few cryptic words, then silence. That was all he gave her. She had stayed up half the night going over possible scenarios, trying to anticipate every reaction, every outcome. But none of it was enough. Preparation meant nothing when anxiety had a vice grip on your spine. She stole a glance to her right. Christopher sat with his head leaned back, eyes closed, as if the day ahead meant nothing. Calm. Always so maddeningly calm. But then again, he wasn’t the one who had to approach a stranger and coax out delicate information. He wasn’t the one wh
Christopher sat alone in his study, the quiet scratch of his pen moving across paper the only sound in the room. Shadows curled at the edges of the lamplight, and the air held a stillness that wasn’t quite peaceful. He paused mid-sentence, the ink drying beneath his fingertips as his thoughts wandered, to Racheal. Her words echoed in his mind, sharp and filled with something venomous. He closed his eyes briefly, then exhaled. A muscle ticked in his jaw. His gaze shifted to the telephone on the corner of his desk. Without hesitation, he reached for it and dialed. A servant answered quickly, the voice distant on the other end. “Bring Olivia to my study.” His voice was low, controlled. He hung up without another word. Minutes passed. He didn’t move, just stared ahead at nothing. Then a gentle knock interrupted the silence. The door opened slowly. Olivia stepped inside, her presence quiet, almost careful. She wore a long green dress, modest in cut but flowing with quiet g