Chapter 7: Surprise

"Yeah, he's not Robert, he's just Charles."

Olivia muttered to herself.

For the next few days, Olivia kept repeating this phrase, especially when Charles was around.

She knew her mental health was deteriorating, so she followed Philip's advice and tried to interact with Charles as much as possible.

After a week, her fear of Charles had significantly lessened, and she had fewer nightmares at night.

"Ms. Smith seems to be less afraid of me now," Charles said with a smile as he took the file Olivia handed him.

Olivia felt a surge of guilt.

"Mr. Green, I'm sorry. I was wrong before. You're a good person and have nothing to do with the criminal I met three years ago. I've caused you a lot of trouble recently, and I apologize."

"Are you really apologizing?" Charles asked, his lips curling into a smile.

Olivia nodded earnestly. "Really."

Her previous apologies had been insincere, but this time, her heart was one hundred percent genuine.

She had caused him considerable trouble because of her issues and had used him to alleviate her psychological problems.

Yet, he had let it go lightly.

He truly was a good person.

"Then treat me to dinner."

Olivia hesitated.

Instinctively, she didn't want to agree.

But thinking about what she had done recently, including the time she had accidentally injured his hand, she softened. "Okay."

"Tonight at eight, I'll choose the place. Ms. Smith, do you have any objections?"

"Of course not," Olivia replied quickly.

Even if Charles decided to have an extravagant meal, it was something she deserved to pay for.

After all, she had misunderstood him.

"Ms. Smith, you won't bring anyone else, right?" Charles asked casually as he signed the file.

Olivia was speechless.

She wanted to bring David along.

After all, she was still a bit scared to face Charles alone.

Seeing Charles look up at her with an expression that said, "I don't believe you're sincerely apologizing," she changed her mind. "Of course I will not."

Facing him alone might help her stop having nightmares and completely rid herself of the shadow from three years ago.

"Let's exchange contact information. I'll send you the location once I decide."

Olivia didn't refuse.

Charles quickly sent her the time and place.

The time was eight o'clock tonight, and the place...

Olivia frowned slightly. It was a hotel room number.

Were they going to eat in the room?

Because of her repeated misunderstandings of him, Olivia quickly found a reason to convince herself—he was probably afraid of being seen dining alone with her and having rumors spread.

That was fine; she didn't want others to know she was getting close to Charles either.

After work, Olivia called David to tell him she was having dinner alone with Charles tonight.

As soon as the call connected, David's anxious voice came through.

"Olivia, I have to go to Novaria tonight. Our director is taking me abroad for further training. The notice came this morning, but I've been in the operating room all day and only got the message half an hour ago. I..."

For the past three years, Olivia's condition had been unstable, and David stayed by her side whenever he could.

Now, he had to leave for a long time, and he felt reluctant and worried.

But he couldn't give up this opportunity either.

He was the only doctor chosen from the entire hospital.

It was a sign of the director's trust in him.

Refusing would not only ruin his future career but also damage the mentor-student relationship with the director.

Back in college, when David's family faced a crisis, the director, who was his mentor at the time, had helped him through it with his own money.

Calling the director his second father wouldn't be an exaggeration.

"This is a great opportunity," Olivia said, understanding the bond between David and the director. "David, go ahead and study hard. Don't let the director down."

"But you..." David hesitated.

"I'm fine now. We've confirmed that Charles isn't Robert, right? And I've been having fewer nightmares lately. By the time you return, I might have completely overcome my fears. David, let's both work hard to become better versions of ourselves."

Olivia was genuinely happy for David.

"Alright. Olivia, I love you. I'll be back."

"Take care of yourself. I'll be waiting for you."

After hanging up, Olivia went home, changed into a suitable dress, applied light makeup, and happily headed to the hotel.

As she stepped out of the elevator, she immediately saw Charles waiting at the room door.

Seeing him still reminded her of the events from three years ago, but she could now distinguish between him and Robert.

Robert was cold, from his eyes to his bones, as if he were made of ice.

Charles was much warmer.

She walked over, feeling flattered. "Mr. Green, why are you waiting outside? Why not go in and sit?"

Charles, hands in his pockets, smiled at her. "I wanted to give you a surprise."

Olivia looked puzzled.

Today was her day to apologize to him, yet he had prepared a surprise for her?

Following Charles' gaze, Olivia pushed open the door.

The next second, her body began to tremble violently.

Wedding photos, a king-size bed, wedding pillows—this was the room she had decorated for her wedding three years ago.

The nightmare from three years ago flooded her mind, and the man behind her instantly transformed from Charles to Robert.

She had been wrong.

Her suspicions and instincts were correct; all her tests were wrong.

Olivia screamed and tried to run.

Charles grabbed her arm and pulled her into the room, the door closing in front of her.

"Help! Help! Help!" Olivia shouted.

Charles dragged her to the bed and threw her onto it. Watching her scream frantically, he coldly curled his lips, took out a cigarette from his pocket, and lit it.

After taking a puff, he sat on the opposite sofa, just like three years ago, and sneered, "This room has excellent soundproofing."

Olivia's voice abruptly stopped.

She gripped the bedding beneath her, desperately trying to calm herself.

The situation was clear now. Charles was indeed Robert.

He had truly returned, seeking revenge.

And he had come back with a legitimate identity.

All her previous suspicions and tests had publicly declared that he was Charles, not Robert.

Olivia wanted to cry, to beg for mercy, to ask him to let her go.

She hadn't done anything wrong; she had only tried to survive back then.

But she knew it was useless.

She had already done all this three years ago.

"You... you want me dead?"

"Dead?" Charles laughed as if he had heard a joke. "Death would be too easy for you. I want you to wish you were dead."