Chapter 8 A New Direction
"Found it!"
Olivia exclaimed triumphantly.
After returning to the Harper family mansion, Olivia had spent considerable time searching through her belongings. Finally, buried beneath layers of possessions, she discovered her university diploma.
On her way home, she had already formulated a plan.
Step one: Find a new job.
Her current position was at the Harper Group, but Jonathan had instructed her not to come to the office for the next two months.
The question was, where should she go during this time?
Alexander immediately came to Olivia's mind.
Were they close before? He was the CEO of Titan Enterprises, and perhaps he could do her a favor. More importantly, he wielded more power than the Harper family and James, which meant he wouldn't succumb to pressure to reject or fire her.
Most crucially, being near Alexander might help her recover her memories!
Decision made, Olivia grabbed her diploma and rushed out, hailing a taxi to Titan Enterprises.
She left in such haste, lost in her own thoughts, that she completely failed to notice Isabella arriving home at almost the same time.
Witnessing everything, Isabella frowned in confusion. "Why would she need her diploma?"
Was she determined to prove herself by earning her own money?
What a foolish girl!
Isabella snorted contemptuously, leisurely taking out her phone to call James.
When he answered, her face still wore a disdainful expression, but her voice was sweet and gentle. "James, darling, I just saw Olivia leaving with her diploma. I tried speaking to her, but she ignored me. Do you know what she's up to?"
"Her diploma?" James scoffed. "What use is that? Is she so desperate she's selling her credentials now?"
"Whatever she's done, she brought it on herself. She's so vindictive and refuses to change—she's truly beyond help!" Not hearing Isabella's response, he feigned annoyance with an affectionate sigh. "You're too kind, always worrying about her."
Isabella had paused deliberately, and now she spoke with concern. "But she is my sister, and I don't want Father to worry."
"You're so kindhearted!"
While consoling Isabella, James contemplated the situation. His fingers drummed against the desk as he tried to figure out what Olivia was planning.
Whatever it was, he was certain she showed no signs of remorse.
Absentmindedly, he opened his text messages, surprised to find that Olivia wasn't at the top of his recent conversations.
He had to scroll through several pages to find her messages.
Only then did he realize that Olivia hadn't initiated contact with him for days. How amusing—did she think playing hard to get would capture his attention?
Slightly irritated, he sent her a message.
James: [Where are you?]
Olivia: [Outside Titan Enterprises.]
Seeing her prompt response, James felt smug.
Just as expected, Olivia always prioritized his messages, no matter the circumstances.
He admired himself in the mirror, adjusting his meticulously styled hair, straightening his patterned tie, and fixing his cuffs. Once satisfied that his appearance was impeccable, he finally went downstairs.
Outside the Titan Enterprises building, Olivia was still contemplating what to say to Alexander later when she spotted James emerging from the lobby. Her expression immediately darkened.
"Finally come to your senses?" he asked cryptically.
What senses? Olivia felt confused.
When she noticed him staring at the diploma in her hand, she assumed he had guessed her intention to find work. "Perhaps," she replied.
"Good, you're not completely foolish," James snorted. "I'll give you one chance."
Did he really intend to let her find a job? Olivia didn't believe it for a second.
James tilted his chin slightly, looking down at her haughtily. "If you apologize to Mr. Johnson and beg for his forgiveness, I'll forgive you too and forget all that nonsensical talk about breaking up."
If she hadn't deliberately sabotaged things yesterday, Isabella would have secured that deal, and he wouldn't have been berated by Stephen for his incompetence.
He hadn't forgotten her defiant attitude last night. He had driven through the rain to see her, and not only had she refused to apologize, but she had pushed him out the door.
"You need to learn some manners. Look how sweet and obedient Isabella is—you're from the same family, yet you're worlds apart."
Though he preferred Isabella's gentle compliance, he and Olivia had known each other for years. Besides, he still needed her to please Stephen. He wasn't ready to discard her just yet.
James raised his hand to stroke her head, consoling her. "See, you're being so good now—no arguing or making a fuss. That's better."
Before he could touch even a strand of her hair, Olivia slapped his hand away with surprising force.
The slap left a red mark on the back of his hand.
James's expression immediately darkened.
He had just complimented her, and now she was acting up again.
"You... you're going too far!" he scolded.
Olivia let out a burst of laughter. "Too far? And what's this nonsense about apologizing? Who do you think you are?"
"See this?" She waved her diploma. "I'm here to submit my resume. Who told you I came to apologize?"
"If you think Isabella is so perfect, why don't you marry her? Who's stopping you? Why torture yourself this way? It's disgusting to watch." Remembering how he had tried to touch her, Olivia grew increasingly irritated and kicked at his knee.
Every time she saw him, she questioned whether she had been blind and heartless before, to have fallen for such a narcissistic creep.
"Enough!" James quickly dodged her attack.
He shook his still-aching hand, saying impatiently, "Olivia, don't get carried away! Let's see how long you can keep this up. You—"
Olivia made a stop gesture, cutting him off. "Stop! Stop! I may have been blind before, but I'm not anymore. Quit rambling and cancel our engagement."
Employees were coming and going outside the company entrance, creating a bustling atmosphere. Neither of them had lowered their voices, and many passersby could hear their conversation.
"You—!"
Hearing the snicker from an employee walking by, James became furious, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. He raised his hand, ready to teach this ungrateful woman a lesson.
"Put your hand down!"
A deep, threatening voice came from behind them.