Chapter 5: No Love Left, Only Scorn

She clenched her fists, biting her lip tightly. She knew the familiar taste of iron was washing over her brain as she was once again baptized by her own blood.

A moment later, she lifted her eyes proudly and declared, "I didn't kill her, yet you want my life. I didn't come between you two, yet you keep insisting I'm the third party. You're the one who cheated, Nathaniel. Seeing you like this now, it makes me feel sick!”

Upon hearing her words, Nathaniel could no longer control himself. He rushed forward and grabbed her throat, his grip tightening. Yet she didn't struggle; instead, she slowly closed her eyes, as if waiting for death to take her.

Suddenly, Nathaniel released his grip and shoved her to the ground. His cold gaze seemed like a dark abyss, pulling anyone who dared to look into it.

Olivia struggled to catch her breath, just about to open her eyes when she heard a tearing sound. Her dress had been ripped apart. Cold fear swept over her and she gripped his hands as they came at her again. "What are you doing, Nathaniel?"

"What am I doing? I'm doing what a husband should, so you can't say I left you unsatisfied tonight."

Before she could react, he made his move, not giving her any time to brace herself.

She felt like a clown being tormented and toyed with, unable to fight back. She dared not make a sound, afraid that anyone passing by would hear.

Humiliation and embarrassment washed over her, piercing her already wounded heart, she could felt it so badly.

She didn't know how she managed to stand up. Her dress, torn to pieces by Nathaniel's brutality, barely covered her private areas.

After a few minutes of satisfying his selfish  self, he left for the company's bathroom, emerging clean and dressed anew. Seeing her standing in place, he roared, "What are you still doing here? Not satisfied yet?"

Olivia felt as if all her strength had been drained. The teardrops slid down her cheeks, reflecting her sorrow and despair as they dropped onto the floor. It was as if her dignity had also fallen to the ground, trampled and desecrated by anyone who passed by.

She turned around without saying a word. Even though her clothes were ripped, she would walk out with her head held high.

Nathaniel  could not believe it. She didn't even beg him for help and intended to walk out exposed, her fair skin and perfect figure for everyone to see.

"Olivia, can you be any more shameless? Are you really about to walk out like this and let everyone see your disgusting self?" Nathaniel roared in a fit of rage.

Olivia raised her hand to wipe away her tears, her gaze misty as she looked at Nathaniel. "Weren't you the one who told me to clear off?"

"Hehe?" Nathaniel gave a cold laugh. "When did you, Blake Olivia, become so obedient? Was it because I just thoroughly satisfied you? Or have you just turned into a well-behaved dog?"

Olivia glared at him hatefully. "Yeah? I am satisfied, but if I’m a dog, what are you, Nathaniel Cross? You, too, have just slept with a dog!”

The color drained so much from Nathaniel’s face and his eyes lowered as he smirked ominously. "I warn you, utter one more sentence that angers me and I’ll throw you out stark naked. Now, go change your clothes. Stop standing in front of me with this dead expression!"

Olivia’s body began to tremble as she gazed disbelievingly at Nathaniel. He actually hadn't thrown her out. Since when did he become so kind?

Seeing Olivia standing still, Nathaniel stood up impatiently. "Don’t you understand what I’ve said? Change your clothes and come with me. We have an important banquet to attend!"

Hehe! As expected, he let her off so easily only because he needed her. The banquet was a game where he gets to stay and she had to leave. The men there would be guarded while pretending to be familiar with each other, while the women would gossip but secretly try to gather information that they needed.

Naturally, Olivia was no different, even though the Blake family was now in decline. But everything was still in Nathaniel’s hands, after all, he was a man no one dared to offend. Even if everyone knew Olivia was not Nathaniel's favored one, no one dared to offend her because she was the woman he married formally.

She walked into the small room in the office, picked up the neatly laid out dress that was a white party dress. She didn't know which woman had left it here. Seeing the tag on the dress, she was a bit surprised, it was new, was it prepared specifically for her? But Olivia didn’t have the time to think about that. After all, she could never fully comprehend Nathaniel's character. There was also a pair of diamond earrings lying on the table. They were sapphire blue and looked quite valuable.

After she changed into the party dress, she slightly tied up her long hair, revealing her enchanting swan neck and a pair of sexy collarbones.

When Nathaniel saw Olivia in this way, he was momentarily entranced. The word 'beautiful' was not enough to describe her at the moment.

"Can we leave now?" Olivia boldly stood in front of him, asking without any emotion.

Many times she wanted to rebel against Nathaniel, but she didn’t dare to. The most she could do was to verbally spar with him at times, but those instances often ended in her defeat.

He held her life in his hands, the entire Blake family now relied on her. The most important of all was her little brother. He was so young yet suffered from such a serious illness; only Nathaniel could sustain his life.

The feast was at the Nathanie Villa owned by the Cross Corporation. Not just anyone could enter here, even if you were wealthy.

Nathaniel's arm bends and he abruptly asks, "Laugh? Aren't you done sulking? No one in your family died, right?"

Olivia tightens her fists and coldly looks at Nathaniel. She deftly passes through the bend of his arm, and lifts the corners of her mouth to give a light-yet-reserved smile that is strikingly eye-catchy.

The banquet has already begun. Naturally, anyone who would be invited would feel honored, especially the social butterflies and elegant young ladies who would dress up, looking resplendent.

All this just to catch Nathaniel's attention, hoping for a favorable arrangement or connection, even though nothing may become of it eventually. Still, it could prove to be beneficial for their families.

Just a bit of favor from Nathaniel could save other enterprises years of struggle.

He is seen strolling with Olivia. Natural attention is shifted towards them, a strikingly handsome man with a beautiful woman. How they are envied!

It is a known fact that Nathaniel does not like Olivia but he is always seen with her at important occasions. This makes the public clueless about the couple's relationship. Is it good or bad? Well, they don't really care about that. They're looking at Nathaniel's influence and ability to lead their businesses to greater heights.

As the couple strides towards the main social area, everyone flashes obsequious smiles.

“We never thought that you would attend this banquet with your wife. It’s indeed our honor,” says an older man who approaches them whilst expressing his excessive gratitude.

“Uncle Mark, you are truly too polite. Olivia is way too young for you to address her as 'your wife'. If it's acceptable, you could refer to her just as Olivia!" retorts Nathaniel, exuding both gentlemanly charm and unaplogetic authority. In business, he trusts no one's goodwill and no words. He only trusts his eyes and judgments.

“How can I?” Uncle Mark, taken aback, laughs shyly.

“Over there is the couple. Go greet them.” Nathaniel Cross whispers this to Olivia Blake.

She lifts her eyes to discern where he was pointing at. Nodding and smiling lightly, she loosens her grip on Nathaniel's arm and elegantly walks away.

“Nathaniel?” No sooner had Olivia left his side, Kate walked over, warmly clasping her arm in his. “I didn't expect to run into you here!”

“How come you're here?" Nathaniel pulls back his arm subconsciously, his gaze fixed intently on Olivia's figure.

“Our company's boss also received an invitation, so I was asked to attend as well, do you have any problems with that? I genuinely didn't expect to see you here!" Kate remarks cheerfully, sidling up to him.

In reality, it wasn't the company boss asking her to come. She pushed for this opportunity herself, knowing Nathaniel would also be here. She initially thought he wouldn’t bring Olivia and hence, wanted to accompany him. However, to her surprise, he showed up with Olivia.

Turning her head, Olivia catches sight of Nathaniel flashing a warm smile at Kate. The sense of loss in her eyes almost overflows.

Yes, he can flash his dazzling smiles at anyone, all except for her. Such a man attracts her profoundly yet keeps her at a distance. Perhaps there is no concept of “distance” between them anymore. In their relationship, there is nothing but resentment now.