Chapter 6

Cedric nodded, then leaned in slightly and looked at Olivia gently. "Go wait for me in the car first. I'll say goodbye to them, and we'll leave."

"Okay," Olivia said obediently. Then, she turned and walked out.

She'd barely gone a few steps when her phone started ringing. She had a feeling she knew who it was when she saw the unfamiliar number, but she still answered the call. The moment it connected, the noise from the private room poured into her ear.

"Ced, you hit him way too hard this time. Sure, Paul shouldn't have brought that stuff up right then and messed up your plan, but don't you think cracking his skull open over a woman like that is too much?"

"Yeah, man. If anyone else saw what happened tonight, they'd think you've really fallen for her after three years of putting on an act. With the way you acted, we don't even have the nerve to joke about it anymore."

"But to be fair, Olivia really is gorgeous. Her figure and face are absolutely stunning. I wouldn't be surprised if you told me you actually caught feelings. I mean, having a woman like that by your side for three years, and with her being so obedient and easily manipulated… any man would be tempted."

As the conversation on the other end started getting more and more disgusting, Olivia's fingers tightened around the phone without her realizing it. Even her breathing stalled for a moment.

She listened carefully to the sounds over the phone, wanting to hear exactly how Cedric would respond. Soon, that familiar, cool voice came through, dashing every last bit of wishful thinking she had.

"No way. I'd fall for anyone but Horace Reed's daughter. But you all better watch yourselves. If she realizes something's off before the engagement party and it ruins what I've planned, don't blame me for being ruthless. I don't want a repeat of Paul's incident."

At his words, the guys around him responded immediately.

"Got it, Ced. Relax. It's only ten days or so—we can wait."

"We know you've been planning this for ages just to see the look on Horace's face when it all blows up. We get it, man. Don't worry. We won't screw it up."

"Speaking of which, aren't those photos almost done? Once you get your hands on the photo book, do you think you can let us have a look first?"

The moment Olivia heard that, her breath caught, and a wave of tension crashed over her so hard that she went rigid. And right at that moment, the call was cut off.

Thinking about what they were talking about that very second, that Cedric might actually agree to show them those photos, that he might go collect the photo book before she did…

The more she thought about it, the more her stomach churned. Nausea surged up, and she hurried outside, bracing herself against the wall as she dry-heaved. The tight knot of anxiety and disgust rose together, making the churning in her stomach grow worse.

Meanwhile, inside the private room, Cedric listened to the lewd comments and said icily, "She's still my girlfriend for now. Wipe those looks off your faces."

"Fair enough. Even when picking on a nobody, you still gotta check who's got their back first. That one's on us." One of them laughed. "Relax, Ced. We'll wait till you're tired of her before we take over."

Hearing that, Cedric felt a faint, inexplicable irritation in his chest.

Three years ago, when he came back and approached Olivia again, he'd already sealed his heart away. But after three years of gentle concern, three years of losing control night after night… just how much of it was real, and how much was an act? Maybe even he couldn't tell anymore.

Still, those words he'd spat out back then—fueled by a heart full of hatred—weren't something he could just take back now. So at that moment, all he could do was act as if nothing had happened and put on his usual calm mask. He turned and walked out of the private room.

The second he was gone, Noah and the others turned and grinned at Kiana.

One of them teased, "Aren't you anxious at all? We're all waiting for the day you officially become Ced's other half."

"Honestly, just based on the years you and Ced went through hell together abroad, if there's anyone he'd actually want to settle down with, it'd have to be you," another chimed in.

Kiana was all smiles as she listened to their flattery. "There's no rush. That woman is just part of Ced's game. He and I got through those five brutal years abroad together. Now that he's finally getting his revenge, how can I possibly stand in his way?"

With those words, the room instantly filled with compliments again.

"See? This is what Ced's real other half looks like. Classy."

"We're seriously jealous of Ced for ending up with someone as understanding as you."

Kiana smiled softly and glided over to her seat. She picked up a glass of wine and drank with the others. But the moment she lowered her eyes, a sharp, murderous glint flashed through them.

Just from that brief clash earlier, she could tell that Cedric wasn't completely indifferent to Olivia. Maybe there had been some acting in what he said, but it definitely wasn't all just part of a performance.

As an outsider looking in, it was as clear as day to her that he cared, whether he admitted it or not.

Also, Olivia was nowhere as easy to deal with as she'd imagined. Kiana had made the first move just now, yet Olivia had swallowed it and stayed quiet. That alone proved she wasn't some harmless little pushover.

Still, since Kiana was back now, she was determined to keep pushing Cedric forward. As long as he carried out his revenge plan, there would be no future left for him and Olivia.

But that wasn't all. Just thinking about Olivia being mocked and humiliated, being stomped into the mud and having her dignity crushed, filled Kiana with a deep, wicked satisfaction.

Picturing those explicit photos being blown up on a giant screen in front of Olivia's parents and relatives, watching as everyone pointed, stared, and ogled to their hearts' content, sent a delicious thrill through Kiana.

With that happy thought in mind, she raised her glass with a smile and took a long, carefree chug.

Outside the private room, Cedric strode quickly toward the parking lot. As soon as he stepped out, he spotted Olivia in a corner, hunched over and retching as she clung to the wall.

His heart skipped a beat for no good reason. He thought about how he'd deliberately skipped any protection these last few times, and a jolt of panic shot through him.

Back then, when they'd been joking around, Noah and the others had said he could always knock Olivia up and use that to make Horace suffer even more.

At first, even they had only meant it as a joke, but Cedric had taken it to heart. And in that moment, even he wasn't sure whether he just wanted to degrade Olivia a little more… or if some part of him genuinely wanted a child with her as a way to keep her.

After three years together, there were so many times when even he couldn't make sense of his own emotions. But right now, the thought that she might actually be pregnant sent his pulse into complete chaos.

He couldn't stop himself from speeding up, quickly closing the distance between them. Reaching Olivia's side, Cedric steadied her with a hand and spoke gently. "What's wrong, Olivia? Why are you throwing up like this? You're not really pregnant, are you?"