Chapter 97 New Grudges and Old Enmities

Chapter 97 New Grudges and Old Enmities

Wilder clenched his fists, looking up at Katya with barely contained desperation in his voice.

"Katya, what happened back then was Mom's own fault!"

"And Charles isn't what you think he is. He's put everything into the Green Group—never had a selfish thought."

"Don't let hatred blind you. The Green family is our home—do you really want to destroy it?"

Katya let out a cold laugh, reaching out to pat his cheek with a tone that was light yet bone-chillingly cold.

"Home?"

"I stopped having a home the day they sent Mom to prison."

"Wilder, you think I don't know? No matter how high Charles builds you up, you'll always be just hired help to the Green family. But if you team up with me, the entire Green Group could be ours."

She leaned in closer, dropping her voice.

"You think he really sees you as his brother?"

"When the overseas division tanked last time, weren't you the first person he suspected?"

"I heard the overseas division is hemorrhaging money again—isn't that God handing us our chance on a silver platter?"

Wilder jerked back a step, his face going ashen.

"You're lying! Charles would never—"

"You know the truth in your heart."

Katya straightened up, smoothing down her coat.

"I'm giving you three days to think it over."

"Either join me to take back what's rightfully ours, or keep playing Charles's lapdog."

It had been three days since Olivia returned from Strollway District with Charles.

She was still calling Mia's phone.

Suddenly, "Celestial University" flashed across her screen.

She hesitated, then answered. A familiar, gentle voice came through.

"Is this Olivia? This is Layla Scott."

"The university is renovating the old library, and we'd love to have you back as a design consultant. Are you available?"

After chatting with Layla and setting up a time, Olivia hung up and stared out the window for a while.

She had such deep feelings for Celestial University's old library.

It was in that study room where Charles had first handed her hot cocoa, making her blush.

A few more days passed with still no word about Mia.

Olivia walked out of the police station feeling anxious, took a deep breath, and caught a cab to Celestial University.

Autumn sunlight filtered through the sycamore leaves onto the stone walkway.

She'd just reached the building when a girl with a high ponytail stopped her.

"You look so familiar—are you Olivia?"

The girl's eyes lit up as she clutched a roll of blueprints.

"I'm Zoey King, a TA in the department. I was at your thesis defense!"

"I remember thinking you and Charles were such a perfect match!"

Olivia's heart skipped a beat, but she managed a faint smile.

"That was a long time ago."

"Not that long!"

Zoey leaned in excitedly.

"Mr. Green was so incredible back then—just a senior, and he already had a full ride to study abroad. But then, right before leaving, he suddenly said he wasn't going! The whole department was in shock!"

"It must've been because he couldn't stand being separated from you. What a sacrifice—so romantic!"

Olivia didn't catch the rest. Just a senior? That was right when they'd started dating.

So Charles had given up his chance to study abroad... for her?

Zoey kept talking.

"Olivia, you have to teach me—how do you make someone you like have eyes only for you?"

"Like how Mr. Green was with you back then—it was like he'd given you his whole heart..."

When Olivia snapped back to reality, her fingertips were cold as autumn water.

She clenched her fists, forcing out a weak smile, her voice barely audible in the wind.

"Sorry, I have to go."

She turned and walked away quickly, almost stumbling, as if something was chasing her.

Zoey watched her hurried departure, scratching her head.

Then she stuck out her tongue with sudden understanding, muttering to herself.

"Guess I hit a nerve—she's embarrassed!"

She looked down at the blueprints in her hands and couldn't help smiling.

"No wonder Mr. Green only had eyes for her back then. That kind of devotion is impossible to hide."

She hugged the blueprints and skipped toward the office, already planning to spread this "earth-shattering discovery" throughout Celestial University.

Meanwhile, Olivia stopped suddenly as she turned the corner past the academic building.

The autumn wind caught her long hair, and her eyes unexpectedly welled up.

She pressed her hand to her chest, feeling like something had hit her there.

A tingling ache spread through her veins, making even her fingertips tremble.

He had given up so much for her.

This realization was like a stone dropped into a deep lake, the ripples spreading endlessly.

In the makeup room at the film studio, Lily slammed a stack of contracts on the table.

"Victor, what the hell is this?"

"Adding scenes last minute and making John work all night? How's that even possible? You think we're pushovers?"

Victor lounged back with a sleazy grin.

"Lily, that's just how this business works!"

"John's reputation is in the toilet—he should be grateful to get any work at all. Still being picky?"

Victor looked Lily up and down, then leered at her.

"Lily, you've got some pretty nice... assets yourself. If you're willing, I could help you out too..."

"Help with what!"

John burst through the door, his eyes cold as ice.

"I'll walk away from this project, but if you dare touch her..."

"John, you're getting bolder by the day!"

Having his plans ruined, Victor was furious and slammed the table as he stood.

"Let me tell you something—if you dare quit this project, you'll never work in this industry again!"

"We'll see about that."

John took Lily's hand and walked out without looking back.

In the hallway, Lily's eyes reddened.

"It's all my fault. If I'd handled the PR better..."

"It's not your fault."

John stopped and looked at her seriously.

"I'd rather lose all that fake fame than see you get hurt."

But he knew in his heart that this falling-out with the production company meant his crucial career transition was completely shot.

His phone kept buzzing with notifications of fans unfollowing him.

The investors' termination notice had arrived, too.

It seemed like the winter of his career had truly begun.

When Wilder rushed to the hospital after getting the call, Bodhi had just been wheeled out of the emergency room.

The doctor patted his shoulder.

"Mr. Green's condition isn't looking good this time. He needs further observation."

Standing outside the hospital room, he pulled out his phone and called Katya, his voice choked with emotion.

"Katya, Dad's in critical condition. Please come see him."

After a moment of silence, Katya's icy voice came through.

"When he sent Mom to prison, did he think about having a day like this?"

"I'm not coming back."

"Katya!"

Wilder raised his voice in desperation.

"No matter what, he's still our father! Just for my sake..."

"What are you worth?"

Katya cut him off.

"Either help me, or don't contact me again."