Chapter 73 Forbidden Intrusion
The news of their impending cohabitation quickly reached James through the nurse he had planted at the hospital.
"What? They're moving in together?" James nearly shattered the crystal tumbler in his grip when he heard the news.
"Are you certain? You didn't mishear?"
How could Olivia possibly agree to live with Alexander? Even if she was trying to spite him, surely she wouldn't go this far?
Had she forgotten about him—her fiancé? She had loved him so deeply before!
What game was she playing now?
"I'm absolutely certain, sir," the nurse confirmed. "They were just discussing the living arrangements."
Agitated beyond measure, James instructed the nurse to continue monitoring the situation before ending the call. He grabbed his suit jacket and stormed out of his office.
The elevator carried him directly to the executive floor of Titan Enterprises. His expression was thunderous as he approached Alexander's office, but Simon dutifully moved to intercept him.
"Mr. Kent—"
"Get out of my way," James snarled.
Simon had barely opened his mouth when James shoved him roughly aside, not sparing him a glance as he barged through the office door.
Simon regained his balance and followed, trying to intervene. "Mr. Kent, you cannot enter without Mr. Blake's permission."
"I said move," James turned to Simon with a menacing glare. "Touch me again and see what happens."
As the situation escalated, Alexander, who had just returned to the office, signaled for Simon to leave them alone.
After the door closed, Alexander fixed James with an icy stare. "What is it?"
James met his gaze directly. "Alexander, are you in love with Olivia?"
Alexander didn't answer. He regarded him with the kind of dismissive look reserved for idiots.
His silence was confirmation enough for James, who found the implied admission infuriating.
His fists clenched until his knuckles cracked. "Uncle Alexander, don't forget—she's my fiancée."
The accusation hung in the air. Was his uncle actually coveting his betrothed?
In response, Alexander leaned forward, fingers interlaced on the desk, his tone deliberately neutral. "As I understand it, Olivia has already asked to terminate your engagement."
James was startled by Alexander's blunt statement, his anger intensifying.
Had it not been for his concern about the family elders making a spectacle of this situation, he might have lunged across the desk at his uncle right then.
He glared at Alexander, his words dripping with venom. "You'll regret this decision. I promise you that."
With that, he stormed out.
As the door slammed shut behind James, Alexander remained unmoved, evidently unconcerned by his nephew's threats.
Olivia's recent injury had clarified his feelings. He was tired of hesitating. He simply wanted to focus on the present—on keeping her safe.
That evening, when Alexander arrived home from work, the interior designer and renovation crew who had been waiting greeted him respectfully.
"Mr. Blake, these are the design plans for your review," the designer presented the sketches he had completed just thirty minutes earlier, then opened his laptop. "I've prepared digital renderings as well."
Alexander wheeled himself over to the sofa and gestured for everyone to sit. "Please, sit."
He accepted the laptop and studied the designs carefully for several minutes. He made several corrections based on Olivia's preferences, then requested the addition of a floor-to-ceiling window.
After half an hour of discussion, Alexander approved the final design, and the renovation crew immediately began their work.
Meanwhile, after his humiliating encounter with Alexander, James frantically tried to contact Olivia. He staked out the hospital, attempted to sneak in disguised as medical staff, and even waited outside her family home—all to no avail.
Desperate, James went to Sophie's residence.
When she opened the door to find him standing there, Sophie was momentarily startled before offering a perfunctory smile. "Mr. Kent, what brings you here?"
"Give me your phone," James demanded impatiently, extending his hand.
"Of course." Sophie complied, bewildered but unwilling to refuse.
Watching him access her messages to compose a text, Sophie attempted to peek over his shoulder. "Would you like to come in?"
James ignored her. After sending several messages, he tried calling Olivia using Sophie's phone, only to discover that Olivia had blocked Sophie's number. He turned to Sophie with irritation. "Why has Olivia blocked you? Aren't you supposed to be best friends?"
Sophie looked uncomfortable, lowering her gaze. "It's... complicated."
What else could she say? If not for their constant pressure to scheme against Olivia, forcing her to make mistakes that eventually revealed her true allegiance, she and Olivia might still be on speaking terms.
James found her meek demeanor aggravating. He deleted the messages he'd sent and tossed the phone back to her.
"Utterly useless," he muttered.
As he left, Sophie caught his disparaging comment and her expression darkened.
But she said nothing, simply closing the door behind him.
After hitting dead ends everywhere, James found himself outside Alexander's estate.
He thought he might sneak into the property and lie in wait for Olivia, perhaps finding some useful information in the process.
His plan was thwarted when two security guards caught him mid-climb over the wall. They unceremoniously dragged him to the front gate and threw him out.
As James nursed his bruised pride and backside, the estate manager approached with a formal warning. "Mr. Kent, out of respect for your familial connection to Mr. Blake, and considering this is your first offense, we'll overlook this incident. However, should there be a next time, we will have you arrested for trespassing."
With that, the manager signaled, and the heavy gates slowly closed.
Humiliated and enraged, James stood outside, every avenue now blocked.
He was unaware that this was only the beginning of his troubles. Alexander had already reported his unauthorized entry to the Blake family elders.