Chapter 88 Clearing the Relationship

Chapter 88 Clearing the Relationship

James's voice wasn't particularly loud, but the content was shocking enough to turn heads.

In that instant, Olivia felt countless eyes fixed on her, some curious, some probing, others almost savoring her discomfort.

She hardened her expression. "Let's talk outside."

She had no interest in becoming a spectator sport or office gossip fodder.

But James, mistaking her reaction for guilt, blocked her path. "No. We'll discuss this right here," he insisted, his tone unyielding.

Since she had the courage to do it, why should she be embarrassed to talk about it?

Seeing him obstinately blocking the hallway, Olivia mentally cursed him countless times.

What an idiot! He was determined to air their private matters publicly, letting everyone enjoy the show. Did he have some kind of exhibitionist tendency?

Frustrated, Olivia sat back down and created distance between them. "How is this any of your business?"

She'd already asked to end their engagement. And even if something were happening between her and Alexander or any other man—what of it? Was James himself some paragon of virtue and fidelity?

James took her response as confirmation. A cold smile twisted his lips as his eyes turned glacial. "Olivia, you're truly shameless. You clearly can't break your habit of climbing into other men's beds. But I never thought you'd have such low standards. How dare you seduce my uncle!"



"Even if you seduce him, it won't help. Let me be clear: as long as I'm around, you'll never become my aunt!" His jaw muscles twitched visibly as his hands balled into fists, knuckles turning white.

The employees sitting nearby were shocked by this gossip bomb. Their eyes darted between Olivia and James, whispering about Olivia and her supposed "lover," Alexander.

Those sitting farther away couldn't hear the details, only seeing that James had sought out Olivia and they appeared to be close, leading to assumptions tinged with envy and jealousy.

James's words were painfully crude, his tone filled with certainty, disgust, and boundless disappointment.

Olivia's fingers curled slightly as her expression darkened.

What did his words mean? Had she previously made a habit of seducing men? Who were these men?

Her heart sank steadily. She refused to believe she'd ever behave that way.

But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't recall a single relevant memory fragment.

Perhaps this wasn't a misunderstanding, but...

Olivia raised her head, coldly scrutinizing James.

He was spreading malicious rumors about her!

Whatever the truth, she couldn't let him cement these allegations. Her reputation would be ruined!

Olivia shot to her feet, pointing directly at James's face. "You're spewing vicious lies."

"James, either produce evidence or prepare to face defamation charges!" She faced him with icy contempt, then raised her voice. "And for the record, we broke up ages ago. I already requested to end our engagement. We have no relationship anymore. My private life is none of your business."

She wasn't just speaking to him but to their audience as well.

James always presented himself publicly as her fiancé, which gave him the confidence to question and humiliate her so self-righteously. But what if everyone knew they'd broken up long ago?

Then he'd instantly transform into a clingy ex-boyfriend, and his moral judgments would reveal themselves as nothing but pathological control.

She grabbed her phone, making moves to leave. "Get out of my way."

James remained immobile, seething through clenched teeth. "How dare you?"

"Olivia, you keep threatening to break up—aren't you afraid I might take you seriously one day?" He seemed to think that occasional tantrums were acceptable, but she was clearly crossing a line now. Did she truly believe he would always tolerate her behavior, that this was just another ploy for his attention?

Olivia had no interest in wasting words on him. She shoved him aside and walked away.

Caught off guard, James stumbled back two steps. Watching Olivia leave without a backward glance, he shouted after her, "Olivia! You'll regret this! I promise you'll regret this!"



She had betrayed him! He wouldn't let her off easily!

The only response he received was Olivia's retreating figure and the surrounding whispers.

Olivia ignored all the stares as she stormed back to her workstation.

"Lunatic!" she muttered.

But the moment she sat down, her anger evaporated.

Something felt wrong. Had someone touched her computer?

She noticed the mouse slightly out of position and suspiciously woke the computer from sleep.

The screen lit up, and when she saw a browser window had disappeared from the taskbar, Olivia was certain—someone had accessed her computer while she was away.

Olivia remained outwardly calm while methodically checking what might have been tampered with.

Strangely, everything appeared intact with no suspicious traces.

Olivia suspected her colleagues and watched them carefully for any clues.

As lunch break ended, everyone gradually returned to their desks. Everything seemed normal.

The afternoon passed uneventfully without a single clue emerging.

Olivia sighed in frustration. "Am I being paranoid?"

Maybe she'd misremembered the mouse position? Perhaps she'd closed the browser window herself before leaving? After her design files were stolen previously, she'd password-protected everything—even if someone wanted to steal them, breaking her encryption wouldn't be so simple, would it?

With no leads and unable to confirm her suspicions, Olivia decided to shelve the matter and pack up for the day.

As she stood, her phone vibrated with a message from Alexander.

Alexander: [My driver is waiting at the entrance. I have a meeting, so you can head back first.]

Olivia hesitated, instinctively declining: [No need, I'll just get a cab.]

Alexander: [If you don't use him, he's still wasted a trip.]

Alexander: [Suit yourself. Don't waste my time on trivial matters.]

It was just a car ride, yet she refused. Was she that determined to distance herself from him?

Alexander angrily tossed his phone aside and started his meeting early.

"Fine then." Olivia promptly ordered a rideshare.

He said it didn't matter, so there was no point in inconveniencing him.

"Over here," she called as a car pulled up at the entrance. After confirming the license plate, Olivia waved to the driver.

She moved quickly, completely missing James who had just stepped out of his car, intending to speak with her.

As the vehicle drove away, James was left standing there, inhaling exhaust fumes. His face darkened as he glared in the direction the car had disappeared. "That bitch!"