Chapter 179
At that moment, the sound of a car engine shutting off drifted faintly from the front courtyard.
Before long, footsteps echoed from the entrance hall.
A servant hurried forward and pulled open the door. The next second, a tall figure walked in.
"Mr. Douglas, Mrs. Douglas."
Oliver wore his usual smile, carrying several exquisitely wrapped gift boxes in his hands.
"I heard Manuel came back. I happened to be passing by, so I thought I'd drop in."
As he spoke, he walked into the living room. His gaze instinctively swept the area—and then he froze completely.
Not far away, Dahlia had just been helped to her feet by a servant.
Having knelt for so long, her eyes were still red, her lashes damp with tears. The corner of her forehead was faintly flushed, and her face still bore traces of grievance. She looked like a delicate flower battered by a storm—fragile and heartbreaking.
Oliver stopped in his tracks, his eyes lighting up. "Dahlia?"
Dahlia looked up.
Seeing who it was, a flicker of surprise crossed her eyes.
Oliver.
In the past, he was the last person she wanted to see.
His looks were only above average at best. But he was notoriously promiscuous, never without a woman by his side. Every time he saw her, he'd cling to her like a leech, which annoyed her to no end.
Before, she would've gone out of her way to avoid him.
But now, Dahlia's eyes flickered slightly.
Thinking of everything that had happened today—how her parents and brother were increasingly favoring Lucinda, how precarious her position in the Douglas family had become—
She suddenly realized that some people might still be of use.
The next second, she looked up and gave Oliver a soft smile. "Mr. Borgia."
Hearing Dahlia speak to him so gently, Oliver's mind went completely blank.
His brain short-circuited for a full two seconds. He even wondered if he was hallucinating.
Dahlia... actually smiled at him? And spoke to him first?
Oliver felt his heart pounding wildly. Even his ears felt hot.
"Dahlia." He started to stammer. "What happened? Who bullied you? Did someone wrong you?"
He couldn't help but step forward, looking like he wanted to rush over and comfort her immediately.
Dahlia lowered her lashes and shook her head lightly. "I'm fine."
The more she acted like this, the more Oliver's heart ached. "How can you be fine? Your eyes are red from crying. Did someone—"
Before he could finish, a figure suddenly stepped between them. Manuel blocked his path, expressionless.
"Oliver."
Oliver froze, only then realizing he'd nearly walked right up to Dahlia.
"Manuel, I was just—"
"I saw." Manuel's voice was cold. "But we're about to have dinner. Your timing isn't great."
Oliver went silent.
He hadn't even gotten to say two sentences to Dahlia.
Manuel continued. "Leave the gifts. You can go."
Oliver's mouth twitched. "Seriously? I just got here. I haven't even sat down."
Manuel stared at him coldly. "Another time."
Oliver fell silent.
He was about to say something more when his gaze inadvertently swept to the side.
Valencia noticed almost simultaneously. Without a word, she shifted slightly to the side, shielding Lucinda, who stood behind her, completely from view.
She angled her body, using her shoulder and arm to obscure half of Lucinda's face.
Oliver was a notorious playboy. He hit on anyone he saw, never caring about the setting.
If he caught sight of Cindy, it would only cause more trouble.
Besides, Cindy had just returned to the Douglas family not long ago. There was no need to let someone like him set his sights on her.
Valencia continued making small talk in the living room while subtly pulling Lucinda further behind her.
Fortunately, Oliver's entire attention was fixed on Dahlia at the moment. His gaze was glued to her face, so attentive he couldn't even bear to blink. He didn't spare a single glance toward Valencia's side and didn't notice at all that someone was hidden there.
Only then did Valencia breathe a quiet sigh of relief. She gently squeezed Lucinda's arm, signaling her to stay still.
The living room went quiet for two seconds. Finally, Oliver backed down.
Mainly because Manuel's expression clearly read, "If you don't leave now, I'll personally escort you out."
Oliver reluctantly glanced in Dahlia's direction. "Dahlia, I'll come see you again next time."
Dahlia pressed her lips together and nodded lightly. "Okay."
Just one word, but Oliver was so thrilled he nearly floated off the ground. He left the Douglas Estate practically walking on air.
Once the door closed again, the living room finally fell quiet. Manuel rubbed his temples, and the irritation in his eyes finally eased a bit.
After Oliver left, Valencia finally relaxed. Lucinda stepped out from behind her at just the right moment.
Seeing her, Manuel's expression visibly softened. "Cindy."
Lucinda looked up. "What is it?"
Manuel took a gift box from a nearby servant and handed it to her. "For you."
Lucinda raised an eyebrow and opened the box. Inside lay a globally limited-edition lipstick, along with a matching custom bracelet from the same line. Clearly, it wasn't cheap.
Valencia couldn't help but smile. "Your brother had someone bring it back from abroad especially for you. He said girls would probably like it."
Manuel looked a little uncomfortable and cleared his throat. "I just picked it up."
Lucinda glanced at him, her lips curving slightly. "Thank you."
That single "thank you" made a smile flash instantly in Manuel's eyes. Even the frustration from the entire day seemed to dissipate.
Dahlia stood nearby, her smile nearly cracking.
In the past, those things had been hers.
Every time Manuel came back from a business trip, there was always a gift for her.
But now, there was nothing. Instead, all he could think about was giving gifts to Lucinda!
Jealousy spread through her like venom. But she didn't dare show it. She could only dig her nails into her palms and force out a smile.
"Lucinda is so lucky. Manuel is so good to you."
Manuel didn't even look at her. He simply said to Lucinda, "Let's eat first."
One sentence, and the smile on Dahlia's face froze instantly.
But she didn't dare say anything more. She took a deep breath, glanced down at her tattered, ruined dress, and turned to head back to her room in humiliation.
The moment the door closed behind her, the docility and grievance on her face vanished.
She swept the vase on the table violently to the floor. It shattered into pieces.
Her chest heaved violently, her eyes full of hatred.
Lucinda.
Lucinda again!
If it weren't for her, how would she have ended up like this?
It took a long time before she finally managed to calm down.
She pulled out her phone and transferred money to two accounts.
One belonged to the newly dismissed maid. The other, to Uma.
Soon, replies came back.
[Don't worry. I won't say anything.]
Dahlia stared at the screen, slowly closing her eyes. When she opened them again, only ice-cold resolve remained.
She walked to the window and looked down at the brightly lit main building below. Her jaw clenched tighter and tighter.
'Lucinda, we have a long road ahead.'
This debt from today—she would settle it bit by bit, sooner or later.