Chapter 32 This Man, She No Longer Cares About
Michael had been pushed too far, and now he was livid. His demeanor turned icy, radiating an intense, chilling aura.
Olivia ignored him, taking Bianca by the hand and turning to leave.
Michael, enraged, blocked her path again and barked, "Olivia, is this how you take care of Bianca? You refuse to let her see a therapist, ignore the doctor's advice, and don't let her interact with kids her age. Instead, you spend all day arguing with me! As a mother, don't you think you're being neglectful? You're becoming more and more impossible to understand!"
Olivia looked at him calmly, finding his words laughable.
Had he ever truly understood her?
From the day they got married, it was always her who showed concern for him, who tried to understand him.
From his work needs, health, and moods to the minutiae of daily life, she took care of everything meticulously.
And what did he do in return?
He never showed any concern, and even when Emily insisted, he was perfunctory at best.
Back then, she could still deceive herself into thinking that Michael's behavior was just his nature, exacerbated by his busy work schedule.
But after Sophia returned, she realized she had been wrong.
He wasn't incapable of caring; he simply didn't want to.
His care, patience, and gentleness were reserved for someone else.
The only person he wanted to understand was Sophia.
Olivia's eyes stung, and her throat tightened with emotion.
After a moment, she found her voice, speaking with a cool detachment, "I don't need you to understand me."
What he had been so stingy with from the start, she no longer wanted.
Perhaps it was the finality in her tone, or maybe her palpable rejection, but Michael felt a surge of anger.
His eyes darkened as he stepped closer, his voice cold and accusatory, "Then who do you want to understand you? Daniel? Olivia, how did you get involved with him behind my back?
You know the Johnson Group and the Wilson Group are competitors, yet you deliberately switched over there. Is it because of something shady with Daniel, or are you trying to get back at me for replacing you?"
Olivia was taken aback by Michael's accusations, finding them utterly ridiculous.
She laughed in anger, "I lost my job and applied to the Wilson Group. What's wrong with that? Have you forgotten that my expertise is in pharmaceutical research, not AI medical systems? Am I wrong for trying to make a living?
As for how I got involved with Daniel... what does that have to do with you? Do I need to explain myself to you?"
Michael gritted his teeth, his voice icy, "Don't you? Don't forget your current status! You're my wife!"
Olivia laughed as if she had heard the most absurd joke, "Oh, so you do remember that you're my husband!"
Michael's face froze, his expression darkening, "Don't turn this around on me. Olivia, I'm warning you, you'd better cancel your collaboration with the Wilson Group immediately!"
"And why should I listen to you?" Olivia shot back coldly.
He spent all day using work as an excuse to stay entangled with his first love, yet he wouldn't allow her to work with a friend.
It was a double standard that was truly eye-opening.
"Michael, since you already kicked me out of the Johnson Group, who I collaborate with and where I work is my business. What right do you have to interfere?"
With that, Olivia, not wanting to waste any more words on him, picked up Bianca and walked around him, heading out of the amusement park.
Michael's face was dark with anger, but he didn't stop her again.
To him, Olivia was being utterly foolish.
With her limited abilities, she insisted on going to the Wilson Group.
Not to mention, she had been out of her original profession for four years. How could the Wilson Group possibly value her?
It seemed Sophia was right; there must be a special reason she was hired.
Michael's eyes turned cold as he called out behind her, "Olivia, I warn you, you better not leak any of the Johnson Group's trade secrets, or you'll bear the consequences!"
Olivia didn't look back, but her heart was heavy and pained.
The so-called trade secrets he mentioned were all things she had painstakingly worked on.
She had always been diligent, never violating professional ethics.
Yet in the end, he looked at her as if she were a thief.
From start to finish, Michael had never trusted her.
After Olivia left, Michael's anger hadn't subsided, causing him to miss the look of triumph in Aiden's eyes.
Ruining Michael and Olivia's interaction again meant Sophia would surely reward him when they got home.
And today, he had even tripped Bianca on purpose. Sophia might even reward him with ice cream!
The thought made Aiden want to laugh.
But he held it in, maintaining a facade of innocence as he tugged on Michael's sleeve.
"Uncle Michael, don't be mad, okay? It's not good for your health. What happened just now was my fault. I shouldn't have upset Aunt Olivia by coming to play with Bianca."
Michael's anger dissipated significantly at Aiden's words, "It's not your fault, Aiden."
"But why doesn't Aunt Olivia like me? Am I really that annoying?" Aiden lowered his head dejectedly, looking pitiful, "I really like Bianca and just want to get along with her, to take care of her and protect her..."
Michael's heart softened, and he quickly patted Aiden's head in comfort, "I know, Aiden. You did great today, playing with Bianca and helping her overcome her fears. You're a good kid, very likable. If Olivia rejects you, it's her problem, not yours."
"Really?" Aiden asked, feigning innocence.
Michael nodded, "Of course, I like you a lot, Aiden."
With that, he bent down and picked up the little boy, coaxing him gently, "Let's not talk about her anymore. What do you want to play? I'll go with you. When your mom comes later, we'll leave."
"Okay, Uncle Michael, you're the best!" Aiden beamed, hugging Michael's neck affectionately, "I want to ride the carousel."
Michael agreed happily, "Sure, let's go ride the carousel!"
After leaving the amusement park, Olivia took Bianca back to the car.
She settled Bianca into the child seat and immediately grabbed some wet wipes to clean off the dirt on her.
Bianca sat quietly, letting her mom wipe her down, but her eyes kept glancing back at the amusement park, reluctant to leave.
That afternoon, they had played mostly the games Aiden liked, and Bianca hadn't gotten to play any of her favorites.
Olivia didn't know this, but she saw the longing in Bianca's eyes.
After she finished cleaning her up, she gently patted Bianca's head and said, "Sweetie, how about we call your godmother and go to another amusement park?"
Bianca's eyes lit up with excitement at the suggestion.
Olivia, filled with affection, pinched her little face and called Evelyn on her phone.
Evelyn agreed immediately!
Half an hour later, they met at another amusement park.
As soon as they entered, Evelyn and Olivia took Bianca to all the attractions she liked.
By the end of it, Bianca's face was glowing with happiness.
Evelyn, who had been watching Bianca closely, was surprised, "Bianca has changed so much! She used to be so withdrawn, barely reacting to her surroundings. But today, she's been curious, especially when playing the games. It's a significant improvement!"
"Yeah," Olivia nodded, not denying it.
She spent most of her time observing Bianca's condition.
Bianca's progress was clear to her.
Evelyn, happy for Bianca, suggested, "This is a good sign. I think you should consider sending Bianca to a special school. The teachers there are usually psychology graduates, caring and able to guide the kids."
Olivia pondered the suggestion.
It was worth considering.
She hadn't been able to find that mysterious psychologist, and though she could develop medications, she wasn't an expert in psychology.
Improper guidance could hinder Bianca's recovery.
A special school might be the best option.
She asked Evelyn, "Do you know of any such schools in Emerald City?"
Evelyn nodded, "Actually, I do. I heard about one by chance. It's called 'Cheerful Town Nursery,' specifically for young psychological patients. The owner is the internationally renowned actress Scarlett Lewis, whose son also has autism. The school has excellent conditions, and the teachers are highly selected and well-paid. The only downside is the high tuition."
Olivia didn't mind, "If it helps Bianca improve, I'll pay whatever it takes. We'll go check it out soon."
Evelyn agreed, "Sure, I'll go with you when you do. I'll also ask around to see if it's as good as they say."
Olivia felt a warmth in her heart, "Bianca is lucky to have you as her godmother."
Evelyn lifted her chin proudly, "Of course!"