Chapter 174 A Tempest Brewing Within Her
Throughout the entirety of the ride, the interior of the vehicle was engulfed in silence.
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It wasn’t until they had reached the premises of Horizon Ventures that Olivia finally broke the silence with a succinct, “Thank you.”
Then, with a sense of urgency, she opened the car door and alighted, her movement swift and determined.
Stepping out into the open, Olivia felt an immense wave of relief wash over her, akin to a fish that had finally found its way back to the sea after a perilous journey on land.
The stifling atmosphere of the car had left her feeling almost lightheaded, a sensation she was all too eager to dispel.
As Benjamin arrived and parked his vehicle, his timing was such that he caught sight of Olivia emerging from another car.
To his surprise, it was Nathan’s.
Quickly exiting his own car, he rushed over to her, calling out, “Olivia.”
Upon hearing her name, Olivia halted her steps and turned to see Benjamin approaching. She greeted him with a warm smile, “Benjamin, have you just arrived as well?”
“Yeah, I’m just back from grabbing a bite,” Benjamin replied, his gaze lingering on Nathan’s car which remained stationary. A crease formed between his brows as he questioned, “Why did he drop you off? And where are the others?”
“Let’s discuss it indoors,” Olivia suggested, leading the way into the building with Benjamin following closely behind.
Nathan, sitting quietly in his car, watched the two of them enter the building together. A subtle tension gripped his hands around the steering wheel, his expression darkening ever so slightly.
For reasons he couldn’t quite articulate, he found himself disliking Benjamin.
“Did you have dinner with him then?” Benjamin probed as they stepped into the elevator.
“Yeah.” Olivia, oblivious to the change in his tone, responded matter–of–factly.
Benjamin hesitated before voicing his concerns, “Olivia, it appears you’ve been interacting quite frequently with Nathan recently. Are you… considering moving past previous grievances?”
Caught off guard, Olivia turned to face him.
Benjamin immediately regretted his boldness but couldn’t shake his concern.
Ever since Olivia’s return, her unexpected closeness with Nathan had raised eyebrows, a development that seemed counterintuitive given their history.
Olivia, after a moment of reflection, acknowledged his observation. “There is some truth to your words. Yet…” She fixed her gaze on Benjamin, her voice clear and firm, “Our interactions are purely professional, borne out of necessity and Liam. Nothing more.”
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17:59 Thu, 20 Mar 0
Chapter 174 A Tempest Brewing Within Her
their conversation.
Back in her office, Olivia contemplated Benjamin’s question, her emotions a whirlwind.
A tempest brewed within her heart, a reflection of the internal discord she faced.
She recognized the need for boundaries with Nathan, yet found herself giving in to Liam’s pleas to see his father, despite her better judgment.
Liam yearned for a semblance of the paternal affection he never fully received, compelling Olivia to facilitate encounters between Nathan and Liam.
Yet, the unintended consequence of these meetings were her inability to stop seeing Nathan.
Lost in these reflections, Olivia reclined further into her chair, tilting her head back and allowing her eyes to gently close, surrendering momentarily to the whirlwind of her thoughts.
Her mind wandered back to a night drenched in rain from five years ago–a night marred by the cruel indifference of Emily, the malicious glee of Emma, and the unforgivable detachment of Nathan.
The icy droplets of rain that had soaked her to the bone were nothing compared to the frost that had taken hold of her heart.
As Olivia opened her eyes, a steely resolve replaced the vulnerability that had momentarily flickered in her gaze. The rawness of the humiliation she endured that night remained undiminished, etched indelibly in her memory.
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How could I ever erase such a defining moment of my life? How could I ever forget the Herculean effort it took to navigate the subsequent five years?
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Olivia took a deep, steadying breath, her visage once again donning the mask of impassiveness that had become her shield against the world.
Master has spent years honing my temperament, sculpting me into a person of resilience and poise. How could I change after coming back here?
Is it because of my guilt toward Liam? Or is it because of… him?
Once again, her heart was ensnared in turmoil.
Olivia found herself at a crossroads, her patience with her indecision wearing thin. After a moment of hesitation, she took out her phone, found Joker’s number, and dialed it.
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