Chapter 488 Christmas Eve, Oliver is Released!
1:00 AM
Octavius dialed a private line to Evergreen City. After being transferred twice, he reached his intended contact. Speaking in hushed tones, he negotiated terms—asking favors always required something in exchange.
Sarah observed from nearby.
Octavius made a generous offer. Though the person didn't immediately agree, they promised to consider it and provide an answer soon. Relieved, Octavius hung up and turned to Sarah. "Once they give in, we're more than halfway there."
With business concluded, Sarah's demeanor softened. "I apologize for my harshness earlier. Please accept my regrets."
Her expression was gentle and serene.
Octavius studied her for a moment before responding with a self-deprecating smile. "Serving Mr. Windsor is my duty."
His words carried a hint of resentment.
Sarah didn't take offense. As the night had grown late, she took her leave. Octavius, maintaining proper decorum, escorted her only as far as the first floor. He watched as her security detail—over a hundred men in black—withdrew, and her convoy of luxury vehicles departed from his estate. Silently, he calculated Oliver's true financial power.
Within ten minutes, the mansion returned to silence.
Back in his study, Octavius's first action was to discard all the artwork and decorative items, though he knew it was futile. His life remained firmly in Oliver's grasp.
Amidst the chaos of the room, Octavius—Harmony City's most distinguished man—stood surrounded by ruins, breathing heavily.
The study door opened softly as Calliope entered. She placed her delicate hand on her husband's shoulder to comfort him, but Octavius suddenly lifted her and threw her onto the sofa.
In the harsh light, his face was expressionless.
He stared intently at his wife, but in his mind replayed the scene from moments ago: the way Sarah looked down on him, dismissing him with utter contempt, her words laced with scorn.
Calliope gently caressed his face, asking brokenly, "Octavius, what's wrong?"
Octavius gave a slight shake of his head, refusing to acknowledge his earlier distraction or to recall the sting of humiliation he had just endured.
At the Moore Mansion in Evergreen City, the study remained brightly lit in the early morning hours. Matthew had received word of Octavius's intervention in Oliver's case.
Under the lamplight, his face revealed nothing. "Surprising that she managed to persuade Octavius."
Aaron poured him fresh tea, advising, "The air is dry—it's easy to get a sore throat. Some herbal tea will soothe your throat."
Matthew lifted the teacup but paused momentarily.
Suddenly, he recalled the past—how Vaughn's wife would serve him tea in the small parlor, gently attending to his daily needs. How harmonious the Moore family had been then.
Matthew's eyes grew moist, though he refused to show weakness.
Aaron counseled him, "I know you value Mr. Isaac Moore, but you shouldn't sacrifice yourself. Besides, Mr. Nicholas Moore is still young, and his wife is healthy and fertile. They can have another child. Your well-being comes first."
These were words only Aaron dared speak.
Matthew sat dejectedly.
After a while, he looked up and said softly, "Aaron, I've truly grown old. So many things are beyond my strength now."
In Harmony City, Sarah returned to her hotel.
All pretenses dropped, she trembled so severely upon entering the suite that she had to grip the doorframe to avoid collapsing. She confessed to Zoey, "If Octavius had harbored murderous intent tonight, I would never have left that mansion alive."
Zoey helped her to the sofa and prepared chamomile tea. "Next time, we can't take such heart-stopping risks."
Sarah held the cup in her hands.
After recovering somewhat, she said quietly, "Though Octavius agreed to cooperate, I must remain in Harmony City. Otherwise, he'll certainly find an opportunity to betray us."
Zoey nodded in agreement.
The night deepened. Sarah showered and changed into comfortable sleepwear before resting. Despite the soft bed, sleep eluded her. Her thoughts drifted to her husband in Evergreen City, imagining him in those sparse quarters, his body covered in wounds.
The moonlight was cold and clear.
In its pale glow, Sarah gently closed her eyes.
Pregnant as she was, she needed to maintain her rest to protect the child within her.
For the next two weeks, Sarah remained in Harmony City, appearing wherever Octavius went.
He had no chance to betray her.
Tonight was Harmony City's annual New Year's Ball. Calliope, feeling unwell, hadn't accompanied Octavius. After his speech, he danced the opening number with his female secretary.
Finishing the dance, he politely declined further invitations from his secretary and made his way to a corner booth.
Sarah sat there alone.
Tonight, she wore a smoke-pink silk gown, her dark hair elegantly pinned up, looking slender and dignified. Octavius stood to the side, silently appraising her, mentally comparing Sarah to Calliope.
Sarah was delicate and gentle.
His wife was vibrant and voluptuous—satisfying in bed.
"Mr. Everhart, why not sit down and talk?"
Octavius smiled faintly and took a seat opposite her. He gestured to Percival, ensuring they wouldn't be disturbed.
Octavius leaned back on the sofa, eyeing Sarah up and down with a sleazy grin.
Sarah remained composed.
After a while, Octavius laughed self-deprecatingly. "I've had a bit to drink tonight, so let me speak from the heart. Yes, as someone who climbed up from nothing, how could I ever want to be controlled by others my entire life?"
"In public, I'm formidable. But in front of Oliver, I'm nothing more than his lapdog. Who would ever enjoy that?"
Octavius raised his glass and drained the strong liquor.
Finally, he set down his glass and, after a moment's hesitation, said, "Let me take you back."
Sarah quietly declined.
Octavius looked directly at her. "I had Percival send your driver away. At this point, you don't need to keep your guard up around me. I'm already caught up in the feud between Matthew and Oliver. There's no way out for me now."
Octavius rose first, gracefully retrieving his coat and helping Sarah into hers.
Outside, the night wind howled.
The car interior was dim.
Sarah and Octavius sat side by side in the back seat.
Octavius, having drunk too much, spoke words he normally wouldn't: "The matter will be resolved in the next couple of days. You can return to Evergreen City with peace of mind. And regarding those old photographs you used to threaten my wife—I know about that, but I can't hold it against you. She comes from a pretty modest background—nothing like yours."
Octavius turned his head, gazing intently at Sarah, as if with countless unspoken words.
Women were inherently perceptive.
Octavius retained enough sense not to voice his inappropriate thoughts, and Sarah pretended nothing had happened.
Arriving at the hotel, she grasped the door handle, preparing to exit.
Suddenly, a male hand covered hers, but it withdrew instantly.
Octavius sat upright, staring into the darkness outside, his voice extremely hoarse, "Mrs. Windsor, wish you a Merry Christmas Eve!"
Sarah opened the door and stepped out.
The cold wind rushed in, stinging his cheeks and washing away any trace of romance left in Octavius's mind.
He thought to himself that he must have drunk too much.
After Sarah's silhouette disappeared, he instructed his driver, "Back to the mansion."
Now, he was desperate to fulfill his physical needs.
Sarah returned to her hotel.
At eleven that night, Zoey received a call—Oliver would be released tomorrow at two in the afternoon. Zoey was ecstatic. "Finally, the day we've been waiting for!"
Sarah froze momentarily.
When she regained her composure, she asked Zoey to repeat the message.
After hearing it three times, Sarah confirmed Oliver was truly coming home. Her voice choked with emotion, "Then we'll return to Evergreen City immediately. Let's leave now."