Chapter 18
Upon learning that Olivia was to marry David in a month, Alexander shut himself away for three days.
During this time, no matter how Victoria tried to console him, he wouldn’t even spare her a glance.
When had Victoria ever suffered such humiliation since childhood?
What’s more, Alexander had gone bankrupt, disfigured, and fallen for someone else.
She asked herself, it had already been no small feat to take care of him this long.
In recent days, her Washington friends kept messaging to persuade her to return, appealing to her emotions and reasoning.
Even Elizabeth advised her: “Victoria, you’re still so young–your looks, figure, education, which isn’t top–notch?
Why trap your whole life with a wreck like Alexander?”
“Listen to Mom, stop being stubborn. Whether it’s arranged marriage or career, come back to Washington.”
But she was like someone who hits a wall and still refuses to turn back, determined to walk that narrow path to the end.
Seeing Alexander still had no intention of acknowledging her, Victoria’s self–esteem crumbled completely.
She slammed the lunch box in her hand to pieces, stormed up to Alexander and shouted angrily: “Alexander!
Chapter 18
Can’t you just turn around and look at me?”
“There are other women in this world besides Olivia!
I’m the one who truly loves you!
Why do you have to treat me like this?”
She slid down the wall, covering her face to sob.
“I’ve had enough!
I’ve really had enough!”
But no matter how she cried, Alexander paid no attention.
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He could even ignore her sobs, lying down to sleep as if no one else was around.
Turning Victoria into a shrew making a spectacle.
Staring at Alexander’s heartless back, Victoria’s resentment toward Olivia swelled.
The TV was still broadcasting news of Olivia’s upcoming marriage to the Zhou heir.
Everything mocked her incompetence.
She took a deep look at Alexander, a bold and reckless decision forming in her heart.
The next day, just as Olivia saw David off to work and was about to catch some extra sleep, the doorbell rang.
Olivia opened the door with a sigh: “Forgot your keys again… Mmph!”
Chapter 18
A group of burly men instantly knocked her unconscious.
Two hours later, Olivia found herself in an abandoned factory, bound with bombs.
Worse, the bombs were counting down.
In half an hour, she’d be blown to pieces in this desolate place.
“Help!
Is anyone there?
Help!”
But no matter how hoarse her shouts grew, only the factory’s echo answered.
Just as despair closed in, the door was kicked open with a crash.
Victoria strode in triumph, raising her hand to slap Olivia hard.
“Slut!
If you hadn’t seduced Alex, I’d have married him by now!”
“It’s all your fault he’s turned into this half–alive wreck!”
She was so agitated, her chest heaving violently with rage.”
Olivia tried to calm her: “Victoria, calm down!
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You have such a bright future ahead–why waste yourself on a loser like Alexander?”
These words only enraged Victoria more, landing Olivia another slap.
“Hypocrite!”
Chapter 18
Everyone can tell me to pull back from the brink, but you’re the last person qualified to say that!”
“Olivia, do you know how much Alexander loved me before you showed up?”
Victoria reminisced dreamily about her beautiful moments with Alexander, completely lost in the fantasy.
But with every word she spoke, the bomb’s timer kept ticking down.
Sweat poured down Olivia’s forehead, her fear and longing growing exponentially.
Fear for her approaching death, longing for the time spent with David.
When only ten minutes remained, Alexander and David’s voices came from the doorway.
“Let her go!”
Seeing Olivia strapped with explosives, David felt his blood run cold.
“Olivia!”
“Don’t come any closer!”
Victoria shouted sharply, holding up a remote. “One step closer and I’ll detonate it!”
Hearing this, both David and Alexander froze.
Alexander’s expression darkened. “Victoria, what exactly do you want?”
“What do I want?”
Victoria suddenly burst into hysterical laughter. “I want to grow old with you, never to part!”
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“Alexander, promise to marry me and love only me forever, and I’ll spare Olivia.”
After a brief hesitation, Alexander agreed. “Fine, I’ll marry you. Now release Olivia.”
Seemingly triggered by “Olivia,” Victoria snapped. “Stay right there!”
“Alexander, you think I’d believe your lies now?”
She threw a contract at Alexander’s feet, then forced a pill into Olivia’s mouth.
“Sign this agreement pledging your lifelong loyalty to me!”
“Otherwise, Olivia dies without my antidote when the poison takes effect!”
