Chapter 31: Anyone But Him

Autumn rolled her eyes, thinking, "Do I really need you to drive me home?"

But Ivan, standing nearby, chimed in, "I've got a meeting later. Olivia, let Henry take you all home!"

Autumn was about to lose it when Olivia quickly grabbed her arm. "Mom, show Ivan some respect!"

Since Henry was Ivan's colleague, Autumn didn't want to make a scene. She snorted and led Olivia away.

Gwyneth walked up to Ivan and said, "Mr. Franklin, I'm heading out too!"

Ivan gave a faint smile and nodded.

Henry looked surprised at the whole scene, and Ivan turned to him.

Ivan said, "Do you think they don't look like police officers?"

Henry nodded, a bit embarrassed, but Ivan just laughed.

Ivan continued, "Henry, there are not only brave men in this world but also brave women! They could be at home enjoying comfort and love, but they choose to become police officers, taking on the most dangerous tasks. They are the ones who truly deserve our respect!"

Ivan patted Henry on the shoulder and headed to the chief's office.

Henry quickly went out and saw Autumn complaining impatiently. "Wasn't he supposed to take us home? Where is he?"

Olivia had been trying to calm her down for a while and was now sweating. Henry quickly went over.

Henry said, "Autumn, please wait a moment. I'll get the car!"

Soon, Henry's big Jeep, matching his physique, pulled up.

The car was so spacious that Autumn, Olivia, and Gwyneth all sat in the back seat with room to spare.

Unintentionally, Olivia glanced at Henry in the driver's seat and noticed he was nervous and sweating.

Olivia didn't know that this was the first time Henry had driven with so many women in the car.

Finally, they arrived at the entrance of the neighborhood. Henry stopped the car and looked back at Autumn. "Autumn, I..."

"Get out!" Autumn interrupted and pushed Olivia, who quickly opened the door and got out. Gwyneth also got out, but Autumn stayed in the car.

Olivia and Gwyneth exchanged glances. Gwyneth whispered, "Olivia, your mom seems really angry!"

Olivia was anxious, wanting to open the car door but not daring to. Not showing Autumn respect now would only make things worse.

Five minutes later, Autumn got out of the car, and Henry did too.

Henry said, "Autumn, take care!"

Autumn gave Henry a cold look and walked into the neighborhood without looking back, pulling Olivia along. Olivia didn't even have a chance to say goodbye.

Gwyneth looked at Henry sympathetically. "Autumn cares a lot about Olivia, Mr. Phillips. Don't overthink it!"

With that, Gwyneth also ran off. Henry watched their backs, cold sweat on his own.

Autumn's words from earlier in the car were still vivid in Henry's mind. As he turned and got into the car, he felt that his life had never been this dark before, as if even the last glimmer of light had been extinguished.

On the way home, Olivia kept asking Autumn what she had said to Henry.

Olivia said, "Mom, today's incident wasn't Mr. Phillips' fault. Don't blame him!"

Autumn suddenly stopped, turned around, and looked at Olivia coldly. "Olivia, you don't like Henry, do you?"

Olivia was stunned, about to deny it, but Autumn slapped her on the forehead. "Get a grip. Let me be clear, you can marry anyone you want, but not him!"

Olivia pouted and followed Autumn into the house, with Gwyneth trailing behind.

Sensing the tension, Gwyneth nudged Olivia. "So, do you really like Henry?"

Olivia sighed, "Which eye of yours saw that I like him?"

Gwyneth grinned. "Then he likes you! Actually, he seems pretty good. With those muscles, you're in for a treat!"

Olivia was so annoyed she wanted to strangle Gwyneth. The two of them started playfully wrestling on the couch. When Autumn came out after changing clothes and saw the scene, her expression softened a lot.

Lunch was another feast, and surprisingly, Ivan came home for it.

Olivia asked, "Ivan, why are you back?"

She was a bit surprised and went over to help Ivan, who was carrying a lot of things.

Ivan said, "Aren't you leaving this afternoon? I'll take you!"

Autumn's face darkened, and Olivia understood Ivan's intention.

Olivia said, "Thanks, Ivan. Don't worry, I can take a break every two weeks, and I'll come back then!"

Autumn gave Olivia a cold look, and they all sat down to eat.

Autumn said, "Eat more if you like it. When you go back to work, make sure to eat well. If you get skinny, we'll be the ones who feel bad!"

Olivia nodded with a smile, eating heartily. Gwyneth finished all the food, making Olivia feel a bit inferior.

Autumn didn't go to the train station in the afternoon, but she gave Olivia a big bag of things. Olivia hugged Autumn and kissed her.

Olivia said, "Thanks, Mom!"

Watching Olivia leave, Autumn secretly wiped her eyes. Olivia and Ivan both saw it but didn't say anything. As police officers, they had their responsibilities.

Ivan asked, "What are your thoughts on your future work?"

Olivia knew her future work wouldn't be in Emerald City. She looked at Ivan and said firmly, "Ivan, I want to go south!"

Ivan gripped the steering wheel tightly, his usually expressionless face now slightly flushed with excitement.

Ivan said, "Olivia, you know it's very dangerous there!"

Olivia nodded, "I know, but I'm not afraid. Ivan, my dad has been there too long. I want to bring him back!"

Her words almost brought Ivan to tears. For so many years, that incident had been like a heavy stone pressing on their hearts, making it hard to breathe. But more than anything, it was heartbreaking.

Ivan said, "Being passionate is a good thing. But Olivia, you're still a girl. You need to think more about yourself."

Olivia nodded, got out of the car, and entered the train station. Ivan watched her back and silently said, "Austin, you have a good daughter!"

In the carriage, Olivia found her seat and sat down. She looked up and saw a familiar figure—Henry?

Henry also saw Olivia but didn't come over to greet her. Instead, he sat in his own seat. Olivia was still wearing a mask, and the slap mark on her face hadn't faded, making her appearance less presentable.

Thinking Henry might still feel embarrassed about today's incident, Olivia didn't expect him to come over. But when she got off the train, she didn't see Henry either. She wondered to herself, 'Did I see it wrong earlier? Running so fast?'