Chapter 31 Extreme Aversion Toward Him
Olivia had no clue about any of this.
That morning, after signing the contract with Daniel, they decided to grab lunch together.
She insisted on treating him as a thank you for his help.
After lunch, they went to check out the progress on the research institute's construction.
Most of it was already completed, except for some specialized medical equipment that needed to be purchased from abroad, which would take some time to arrive.
Olivia was fairly satisfied after looking around, but she did have some suggestions.
She didn't have much demand for the office and lounge areas, but she had high standards for the workspaces and the precision of the tools needed for research.
After all, drug development was a matter of life and death, and it couldn't be handled carelessly.
Daniel fully supported her work ethic and naturally agreed to cooperate.
Anything that wasn't up to par, he had Eric note down, planning to have it replaced later.
By the time they finished, it was already three in the afternoon.
Olivia said goodbye to Daniel and headed home.
On the way, she made a special stop at a cake shop to buy Bianca her favorite strawberry cake.
Leaving Bianca at home for most of the day made her feel guilty, so she wanted to bring back something to cheer her up.
Just thinking about Bianca's little face lighting up with a smile when she tasted her favorite cake put Olivia in a good mood, making her steps quicken.
But Olivia didn't expect that when she got home, Bianca was nowhere to be found.
She searched upstairs and downstairs, but there was no sign of her.
In a panic, Olivia asked the nanny, "Where's Bianca? Where did she go? Why isn't she at home?"
The nanny immediately replied, "Ms. Johnson, after lunch, Mr. Johnson took her out. He said he was taking her to the amusement park."
Then she chuckled, "Mr. Johnson is usually so busy, but today he finally took some time to be with Ms. Johnson. She was so happy when she left, smiling adorably."
Olivia was stunned.
Michael took Bianca out to play?
Why would Michael suddenly change like that?
It was so unlike him.
He usually couldn't be bothered to say more than a few words to Bianca!
Somehow, Olivia felt a vague sense of unease.
She didn't hesitate and quickly pulled out her phone to call Michael.
The phone rang a few times, surprisingly didn't go to voicemail, and was soon picked up.
Olivia didn't waste any time and asked directly, "Which amusement park are you at with Bianca?"
Michael's cold voice came through, "The one owned by the Johnson Group."
Olivia frowned, "Why didn't you tell me you were taking her out?"
He never cared about Bianca or knew anything about her.
Taking her to a place like that, did he even know what was safe for her to play with?
Michael's tone was irritated, "I'm Bianca's dad. Do I really need to report to you when I take her out to relax?"
"Of course you do! Bianca has special needs. Some things that are fine for other kids could be too much for her. You should at least ask…"
Before Olivia could finish, someone interrupted.
A familiar childish voice came through, "Uncle Michael, what are we going to play next?"
This was Sophia's son's voice!
Michael brought him too?
Olivia's heart sank.
She hadn't forgotten the harm that malicious Aiden had caused Bianca several times.
Even when she was around, Aiden dared to bully Bianca.
She couldn't imagine what Bianca might face today without her there.
She couldn't rely on Michael at all!
Olivia was so worried she couldn't think of anything else, quickly hung up the phone, and sped to the amusement park.
When she arrived, she used Bianca's tracking watch to find her location quickly.
As soon as she got there, she saw a scene that made her heart stop.
Michael was playing with Sophia's son on the kids' climbing wall.
Worried that Aiden might fall, Michael was right there with him, protecting him carefully.
Aiden was thrilled, laughing loudly, and kept asking, "Uncle Michael, am I doing great?"
Michael responded warmly, "You're doing great."
Meanwhile, Bianca, with a climbing harness on, was alone at the bottom, hesitant and scared, not daring to climb up.
Olivia's blood almost froze, her heart breaking.
She rushed to her daughter, softly called out, "Bianca!"
Then she pulled Bianca's tiny body into her arms, holding her tightly.
Bianca noticed her presence and called out sweetly, "Mommy…"
Her voice was filled with deep sadness.
Olivia's heart ached, her eyes turning red. She kissed Bianca gently, comforting her, "Don't be scared, I'm here, with you…"
Bianca nestled in her mother's arms, clinging tightly to her clothes.
Up close, Olivia noticed Bianca's clothes were dirty.
Alarmed, Olivia quickly checked Bianca. "Did you fall? Are you hurt? Let me see!"
She examined Bianca thoroughly.
There were no injuries, but the dirt was clearly not from a simple accident.
"What happened? Tell me!"
Bianca bit her lip but couldn't say anything.
Just then, Michael came down with Aiden.
Seeing Aiden, Bianca immediately shrank back, hiding in Olivia's arms with fear.
Olivia understood right away.
It must have been that malicious Aiden again.
A wave of anger surged within her.
At that moment, Olivia's hatred for Michael reached its peak.
Her eyes burned with fury as she glared at Michael, her gaze sharp enough to cut him to pieces.
Michael sensed it and looked up indifferently.
Seeing Olivia, his expression remained unconcerned, even taking the time to untie Aiden's harness.
Once done, he walked over with Aiden, his careful demeanor suggesting Aiden was his own son.
Olivia trembled with rage. As they approached, she couldn't contain her anger. "Michael, is this what you call relaxing with your daughter? Ignoring her while playing with someone else's son?"
Michael's tone was cold. "I asked her if she wanted to climb. She was too scared to try."
Olivia's hands shook. "Bianca's condition isn't suitable for this kind of activity!"
"Why not?" Michael's voice was icy. "I consulted Dr. Anderson. She suggested Bianca should try more activities to help her recover."
Olivia couldn't believe her ears.
He trusted Sophia and Harper but never considered if Bianca could handle it. Her Bianca couldn't endure such stress.
Olivia's heart ached, her words laced with frost. "So you just protect someone else while watching Bianca fall?"
Michael frowned, explaining indifferently, "She fell earlier while playing, not here! Olivia, can you stop being so sensitive? Kids play and get bumps and bruises. Bianca likes it here!"
Before Olivia could respond, Aiden chimed in, "Aunt Olivia, I played with Bianca earlier. She was really happy. We're going to ride the carousel next."
Olivia ignored Aiden. Aiden was only three or four years old, but full of malicious tricks.
She couldn't trace how Bianca fell earlier, but she wouldn't let him near Bianca again.
"You can play by yourself. Bianca's not going." She rejected coldly, gently patting Bianca's clothes.
Michael's face darkened, his handsome features tightening as he spoke harshly. "Olivia, what's with your attitude? Aiden came to play with Bianca and cares about her. Being with peers helps her recover! You should be grateful, not resentful. Are you crazy?"
Olivia's gaze was icy. Shouldn't she resent him?
From calling Bianca stupid the first time they met to smashing her favorite Lego set and nearly destroying her playroom the second time… He acted blind to all of it. What could she expect from him?
Olivia's tone was heavy. "Michael, if you're blind and heartless, stop pretending to be a caring father! If you're going to 'support' Bianca like this, I'll tell you: it's not necessary! My daughter doesn't need fake companionship!"
She didn't want to waste more time and quickly picked up Bianca to leave.
Michael's anger flared. He had been too lenient with Olivia, letting her repeatedly challenge his patience.
He grabbed Olivia's wrist, his voice cold. "Olivia, enough! You keep targeting Aiden, who's just a child. How can you be so dark-hearted to think everyone's bad?"
Aiden's eyes darted, and he immediately acted pitiful, saying, "Anut Olivia, if you don't want me to play with Bianca, I won't. Please don't fight with Uncle Michael because of me! He loves Bianca and took time off work to be with her. Don't take her away, let them spend more time together… I'll just watch quietly, okay?"
His eyes reddened, his hands clutching his clothes, looking utterly pitiful.
Seeing him like this, Olivia saw Sophia in him. Like mother, like son! Both mastered the art of pretending to be pitiful.
Their public façade was flawless. And his words made him seem considerate, while she appeared wrong.
Olivia was stunned. She couldn't believe a three or four-year-old could act like this. It was terrifying!
Michael felt sorry for Aiden. To him, Aiden's behavior showed Olivia was being unreasonable.
Michael's anger surfaced. "Olivia, are you satisfied? Hurting a kind child, how can you be so cruel? Even he understands my efforts, why can't you? Put Bianca down. I promised her an afternoon of fun!"
Olivia felt deeply ironic.
Her years of care and concern were forgotten. A few kind words from others moved him.
Olivia laughed bitterly, shaking off his grip. "Go play with someone else's son. He's sensible, sweet, kind, and likable! Bianca doesn't need fake companionship!"