Kenneth remained expressionless on a single sofa, his cup leaving water stains on the table in front of him. After a long silence, he turned slightly and calmly asked, "Is my daughter, Olivia, not worthy of being considered your cousin?"
The once-brave teenager recoiled visibly, stammering, "Uncle, I-I didn't mean it..."
Alexander smiled slightly as he watched his father's subtle reprimand of the boy. He then redirected his attention to Megan. "Megan, do you feel mistreated within the Sinclair family?"
Megan paled under Alexander's scrutiny, quickly denying any mistreatment. "No, Alexander, it's a misunderstanding."
"If you don't feel mistreated, then refrain from making statements that can be misunderstood in the future," Alexander said in a warm yet commanding tone, discouraging opposition.
Megan hesitated to respond, biting her lip in silence and lowering her gaze.
To relieve the tension, Lauren said, "I didn't plan it well. It's only a room. There's no need to argue."
Alexander, the eldest grandson, expressed his opinions without hesitation, even when addressing his elders. "Aunt's arrangement was indeed inappropriate," he declared firmly. "Olivia is my sister and the lady of the Sinclair family. Having her stay in a converted playroom would be seen as a joke.
Alexander drew Olivia closer, as if to shield her, and said, "My sister didn't return home to endure such discomfort."
Megan blushed, embarrassed by the abrupt shift in focus from her complaints to Olivia's alleged mistreatment.
Olivia, taken aback by Alexander's actions and words, experienced a mix of stiffness and gratitude. Though she did not see herself as mistreated, his concern moved her deeply, instilling a sense of belonging she had never felt before.
Lauren, visibly embarrassed, cursed Alexander for repeatedly putting her in awkward situations. She glanced at Kenneth and Percival, who were both silent, as she struggled to keep her cool.
Lauren forced a smile as she acknowledged Alexander's point. "You're right. I didn't think it through. I will rearrange everything accordingly."
Alexander smiled in approval. "I'd appreciate it, Aunt."
Alexander turned to the others and announced, "I'll take Olivia for a stroll in the garden."
Alexander ignored any objections and led Olivia out to the garden, leaving a silent hall in their wake.
Lauren felt the weight of her discomfort as tension grew, eager to explain but silenced by the arrival of the butler, Zach Clark, who informed her of an unexpected visitor. "Mr. Percival, the gatekeeper, informed us that Ms. Parker has arrived for a visit."
When everyone heard the surname Parker, they immediately thought of Olivia, and they wondered why Kayla was visiting so soon after Olivia's arrival with the Parker family. "It must be for Olivia, correct? Angela Sinclair smiled as she attempted to defuse the situation. She had noticed Olivia's lack of luggage and assumed that the Parker family had brought it separately, knowing Olivia's connection to the Sinclairs.
Zach paused briefly before saying, "Ms. Parker mentioned she came to visit Mrs. Angela."
Angela's confusion was obvious. "Me?" she asked, perplexed as to why the Parkers would seek her out rather than Olivia.
A picturesque European-style retreat awaited in the garden of the Sinclair Villa. Vintage fences adorned with roses surrounded the expansive lawn, basking in the warmth of the summer sun.
Olivia walked alongside Alexander, listening as he casually pointed out various plants in the garden. However, her thoughts returned to the earlier scene in the living room, where Alexander had come to her aid.
The sensation she felt was unusual and subtle.
After a moment of thought, Olivia softly murmured, "Thank you."
Alexander paused, meeting her gaze, then offering a warm smile and affectionately tousling her hair. "You're welcome."
Alexander's smile deepened as he saw Olivia's tousled hair.
Just as he was about to continue, his phone rang with an incoming call. Alexander moved aside to respond, gesturing for Olivia to explore on her own.
As Olivia moved forward, her attention was drawn to a maid in the garden pavilion who was meticulously cleaning tables and chairs. Though unremarkable at first glance, Olivia detected a lingering aura of malevolence, a sure sign of someone tainted by wickedness.
Olivia hesitated, preferring not to get involved in other people's affairs. However, the ominous energy emanating from the maid compelled her to act. Ignoring the possible consequences, she approached.
The maid, engrossed in her work, seemed unaware of Olivia's presence might affect the other people in the house.
She walked up to her.
The maid had a cloth draped over her hand and mechanically wiped the tables and chairs. Her expression was somewhat dull and bewildered. Her eyes would occasionally glance in one direction. She quickly greeted Olivia, her expression dull and bewildered.
"Ms. Sinclair."
"You recognize me?" Olivia was surprised by the maid's recognition and asked, "You know who I am?" She had just arrived at the house and had yet to meet all of the Sinclair family members.
The maid smiled and explained, "Zach showed your photo to all the servants beforehand so we wouldn't accidentally disturb you." Olivia was impressed by the considerate gesture, which reflected the Sinclairs' reputation as a prominent family.
"Ms. Sinclair, what can I do for you?" the maid asked when Olivia remained silent, inquiring once again.
Olivia was about to respond to the maid's inquiry about her needs when she was interrupted by the arrival of two familiar figures at the garden gate, Kayla and Nicole.
They entered the garden, led by Zach, and saw Olivia with surprise and confusion on their faces. "What are you doing here?" they asked collectively, perplexed by her presence.