Chapter 55 The Person Who Sue Michael is Olivia
Olivia froze for a moment, then looked up at her mother, Victoria. "Mom, how did you..."
Victoria's face was tense, clearly upset. "Do you really think your father and I can't see what's going on? If he truly cared about you, how could he be so cold and indifferent?"
"Before, his heart was never really in this family. You explained it away, saying it was because of work, and we believed you... But this time, when we came to visit, you had a shadow over your eyes, clearly unhappy, yet you forced yourself to smile for us. You've lost so much weight, and he doesn't even notice or care. Is that how someone who loves you behaves? Whenever I'm unwell, your father gets incredibly worried. But him? He comes home and doesn't even look at you, doesn't care about Bianca either."
Victoria suddenly found herself unable to continue.
After a long pause, she spoke with difficulty, "At lunch, your father said he saw him with another woman. I thought he was mistaken, but now it seems he wasn't!"
Olivia was completely stunned. She had never expected Victoria and Vaughn to have already figured out what was going on.
They had even seen them together earlier that day. All her efforts to hide the truth had been in vain.
Vaughn was equally furious and heartbroken. "We've raised you with all our love, and even though you're married, you're still our precious daughter. We can tell when something's wrong with you in an instant."
Victoria asked her, "When did he start seeing that woman?"
Olivia's eyes reddened, and she pressed her lips together. "Before we got together, she was his ex-girlfriend. After we got married, he never forgot her. Recently, she came back to the country and... I only found out recently!"
"Unbelievable! Absolutely unacceptable!" Vaughn slammed the table in anger.
He was usually calm and composed, but seeing Olivia being mistreated had him visibly agitated. "I'm going to confront Michael right now!"
Olivia quickly grabbed his arm. "Dad, don't go!"
"Why not? He's treating you like this, Olivia, don't be afraid. Even though the Johnson family is powerful, you have me! I'll make sure he gives you a proper explanation!" Vaughn's face was flushed with anger.
He only had Olivia, his one and only daughter, whom he had cherished and protected since she was a child. And now, she was being bullied after marrying into the Johnson family. How could he, as her father, tolerate this?
Olivia shook her head. "Dad, please don't... You know how cold Michael can be. What good would it do? I just want to divorce him; I don't want to waste my energy arguing with him. So please, don't go, okay?"
Her last words were almost a plea.
In truth, Olivia didn't want Vaughn to get hurt.
Michael had treated Vaughn and Victoria poorly in person; if there was a confrontation, he would likely be even harsher. How could she let Vaughn take such a risk?
Vaughn clearly understood her thoughts; his expression filled with sadness and concern.
Victoria tugged at Vaughn's sleeve. "Listen to Olivia, don't go. As for the divorce, it must happen, and the sooner, the better!"
Olivia was somewhat taken aback by her mother's unwavering support. "Can I? Can I really... get a divorce?"
"Why wouldn't you?" Vaughn didn't hesitate. "You have been treated like this; why stay with him? Divorce him immediately, and your mom and I will fully support you!"
Olivia's eyes filled with tears. In times like these, nothing was more comforting than her parents' support.
"Thank you, Mom and Dad," she said, her voice choked with emotion.
Victoria didn't say anything, but she pulled Olivia into a hug.
At this moment, no words could compare to the warmth of a hug.
Vaughn also patted her head, comforting her. "Olivia, sweetheart, with us here, no matter what happens, we'll always be your strongest support!"
Leaning into their embrace, Olivia felt a surge of courage.
Although she didn't understand why Michael refused to divorce, she was determined not to let herself be trampled on any longer.
The next morning, after dropping Bianca off at school, Olivia immediately called Evelyn.
"Evelyn, I need to meet the lawyer who helped draft the divorce papers last time. Can you set up a meeting?"
Evelyn perked up. "What's going on? Did Michael agree to the divorce?"
"No, he didn't. So I'm preparing to take him to court," Olivia said, her tone resolute.
Evelyn was fully supportive. "Hang tight, I'll come pick you up. No need for an appointment; that lawyer is my cousin."
"Okay." Olivia nodded.
Evelyn arrived quickly, and within half an hour, they were meeting with the lawyer, Samuel Harris.
He was already familiar with Olivia's situation, thanks to Evelyn's briefing. After some brief pleasantries, they got straight to the point.
"You want to give up all claims to property and only retain custody of your child. Are you sure?" Samuel asked.
Olivia nodded without hesitation. "Absolutely! He didn't sign the agreement you drafted last time; clearly he has objections. I don't want to waste time arguing with him, so I'm voluntarily giving up all property claims, as long as I get custody of my daughter."
Samuel didn't object.
A lawyer's job was to prioritize the client's wishes.
Since Olivia didn't want to fight for property, he wouldn't interfere. Evelyn, however, was furious. "Isn't that letting him off too easily?"
Olivia shook her head. "It doesn't matter. My time is valuable and shouldn't be wasted on unnecessary people and things!"
She then earnestly requested Samuel, "Please help me get this done as quickly as possible. Thank you."
Samuel nodded. "Don't worry, the court summons will be issued to him very soon."
The next day, at the Johnson Group's CEO office, Michael was busy handling a mountain of paperwork when Sophia came in to report on the progress of the R&D department. "Recruitment is going smoothly. We have applicants from top universities in the country, and two returning scholars. Their profiles are on your desk; you can review them. I think they all look promising."
"Thanks for your hard work." Michael took the documents and began to review them.
Sophia's eyes glimmered with affection as she walked behind him, placing her hands on his shoulders and gently massaging them.
It seemed like she was helping him relax, but her body pressed closer, and she whispered softly in his ear, "Compared to your hard work, mine is nothing. You have so many files to handle, it makes my heart ache for you!"
Michael's focus shifted immediately.
All his senses were concentrated on the warmth at his ear.
He could clearly feel the gentle breath, teasing and tempting him.
Michael leaned back in his chair, wrapped an arm around Sophia's waist, pulling her close, his voice husky, "Are you giving me a massage, or trying to seduce me?"
Sophia's cheeks flushed pink with embarrassment. "What are you talking about? I'm just helping you relax. Let go of me..."
"What if I don't?" Michael's eyes darkened as he held her tighter. The air between them was thick with tension.
Just as they were about to give in to their desires, an urgent knock sounded at the door.
The knocking interrupted the moment, snapping Sophia and Michael back to reality.
Sophia felt a twinge of annoyance but masked it with a shy expression as she moved to the sofa opposite him.
Michael frowned, clearly displeased at the interruption, and said coldly, "Come in!"
Robert entered in a hurry, approaching the desk respectfully. "Mr. Johnson, there's a court summons for you."
Michael's frown deepened. "If it's a business dispute, let the company's legal department handle it. Why bring it to me?"
Robert's expression was serious. "This isn't for the company; it's for you personally."
Michael's face darkened. For him? Someone was suing him? Who had the guts to do that?
He took the summons, opened it, and glanced at it. Initially, Michael's expression was indifferent. But as he read the contents, his face changed.
It was a summons for a divorce lawsuit. The person suing him was Olivia!