Chapter 326 You Are the Only Exception
As soon as the question left her lips, Olivia felt something was off.
Was that the smell of alcohol?
Olivia couldn't help but lean closer to him and sniff carefully.
Sure enough, she caught a faint scent of alcohol on him.
But it wasn't overpowering. Instead, it carried a hint of sweetness, mixed with his crisp cologne, making it somewhat intoxicating.
Andrew noticed her little movement, his eyes showing a hint of restlessness as he said, "Just finished some business drinks. Wanted to see you, so I came. Pretty lucky—ran into you right away."
He pulled her closer, then without further ado, leaned down for a kiss.
They were both busy and hadn't had quality time together in days.
Now, with her right in his arms, Andrew had no intention of holding back.
However, after one kiss, he remembered to ask, "Do you mind the alcohol?"
Olivia shook her head, saying, "I don't mind."
In her eyes, there was nothing about him that wasn't perfect.
She liked him too much to find fault with anything.
Andrew could tell, a smile playing at his eyes as he leaned down to kiss her again.
Under the moonlight, they shared a kiss with a hint of sweetness.
When it ended, Olivia was still catching her breath in his arms.
Andrew held her like that, his broad palm gently stroking her back as he said, "You've lost weight. When will you stop being so busy?"
Hearing this, Olivia couldn't help but feel puzzled. "Have I?"
She hadn't noticed it herself.
Andrew nodded, saying, "Yes, I can feel it when I hold you."
Olivia blinked, believing his words without question. "It's the initial stage right now, so there's a lot to do. It'll get better later."
After speaking, she rested her head against his chest, her tone cheerful and content as she told him, "Even though it's tiring, being able to do what I love—this feeling is so fulfilling!"
Andrew saw how her eyes sparkled when she talked about work, and his gaze softened.
But his tone was less indulgent. "Loving your work is fine, but you need to eat properly!"
He still remembered how she'd skip meals when she got busy back in Emerald City.
Back then, without any official status, he could only bring Bianca along to deliver food to her.
Now that he could rightfully look after her, he naturally had to be even more attentive.
Hearing this, Olivia felt a bit guilty.
She'd only skipped a few meals—was it really that noticeable?
She quickly said, "Got it! From now on, I'll take photos of my meals and send them to you for inspection!"
Then, afraid he'd pursue the matter further, she immediately took his arm and walked toward the house. "You were out so late for business drinks, you must be tired too, right?
Did you eat dinner? You didn't drink on an empty stomach, did you?"
A string of questions, though meant to change the subject, also carried genuine concern.
Andrew smiled, going along with her. "I didn't drink on an empty stomach. I ate something beforehand."
Olivia nodded and reminded him, "Keep up that habit. If you run into a situation where you can't get out of drinking more, remember to take the medicine I prepared for you to prevent getting too drunk, so you won't feel as bad."
"Okay."
The two chatted as they slowly walked inside.
Just as they were about to enter the house, strange noises suddenly came from the nearby bushes.
Faintly, they could hear a cry of pain.
Olivia was startled.
Andrew instinctively protected her, his gaze sharp as he looked toward the bushes and asked in a low voice, "Who's there?"
After a moment of silence in the yard, more rustling sounds came.
The next second, Olivia saw a head pop out from behind the dark bushes.
The person's expression was incredibly awkward. "It's me..."
Olivia looked closely and was shocked to see it was Evelyn. "Evelyn, what are you doing here? Why are you hiding in the bushes?"
Evelyn stood up with leaves still stuck in her hair.
Olivia helped her up and picked off the leaves.
Evelyn looked embarrassed.
Especially after seeing Andrew's neutral expression, she quickly explained, "I didn't mean to interrupt you two. I came to see Bianca early on and wanted to chat with you. When I heard the car earlier, I was going to come out to greet you..."
But as soon as she stepped out from the window, she saw the two of them embracing and being intimate.
Olivia also thought about what she and Andrew had just been doing.
So Evelyn had seen it all?
Olivia's ears turned red with embarrassment, wishing she could disappear right then. She could only change the subject: "What... what did you need to talk to me about?"
Evelyn didn't want to elaborate either and quickly responded, "Just came to check on you and tell you something important."
Seeing Andrew still standing nearby, she quickly added, "I'll leave right after I'm done talking. I promise I won't take up too much of your time, so Mr. Hamilton, please let me borrow Olivia for a few minutes!"
Andrew had always had a good impression of Evelyn.
She was protective of her friends and had impeccable timing, so he nodded graciously and said, "Okay."
Evelyn quickly nodded, saying, "Then you go inside first. We'll just chat here."
Andrew knew that girls had many topics that were more comfortable without him around.
So he looked at Olivia and said, "I'll wait for you inside."
"Okay." Olivia nodded, watching Andrew go in before turning to Evelyn.
But she was met with Evelyn's teasing gaze.
Without Andrew present, Evelyn was less reserved and could even joke with her: "So this is what you're like when you're dating Mr. Hamilton—so passionate?
I really didn't expect that when the cool, aloof guy falls in love, he'd be so intense."
The way he'd kissed her just now was really something!
Olivia's face flushed red from her words.
She bumped Evelyn and said shyly, "Stop it! Just tell me why you came!"
Evelyn knew she embarrassed easily, so after a quick laugh, she stopped teasing and became serious.
She briefly mentioned the recent rumors.
Then she told Olivia what Jade had brought up with her.
She warned Olivia, "Don't let your guard down. That Aurelia still has her eye on Mr. Hamilton."
After hearing everything, Olivia couldn't help but laugh.
She hadn't expected that Evelyn and Jade had already thought so far ahead.
But she knew these two had her best interests at heart.
She was touched.
However, regarding the Hamilton family elders, she personally felt there was nothing to worry about.
Evelyn said, "How can you not worry?"
Olivia remained calm and smiled. "You're worried Andrew will be caught in the middle and struggle to choose, right? So just don't let that situation happen."
"But..." Evelyn had thought of that too.
However...
"How do we prevent that situation from happening?"
Olivia said easily, "Have you forgotten what I do? I'm a doctor. I can improve Andrew's grandfather's health before any of this happens!"
Now that she'd inherited the Medica Vitae Sect, what rare medicinal ingredients didn't she have access to?
Plus, the Medica Vitae Sect's collection had countless ancient texts with health remedies.
Couldn't she handle Finnegan's health condition?
Evelyn was momentarily speechless, wanting to slap her thigh.
Right! Why hadn't she thought of that?
If Finnegan was in good health, wouldn't all their concerns be easily resolved?
Evelyn groaned, "So we worried for nothing!"
Olivia chuckled softly, "Not really. You gave me a heads-up and a chance to fix things! Either way, thanks to you and Jade!"
Evelyn waved her hand. "Why are you being so formal with me? Being able to help you is what matters most!
With so many people out there doubting you two, you finally got together with Mr. Hamilton. I just want you to be happy and hold onto your happiness.
Don't give other women any chance to worm their way in!"
Olivia understood her concern, and her heart felt warm.
It seemed that no matter when or what happened, Evelyn was always by her side.
She was so lucky to have such a friend.
"Evelyn, I'm so glad I met you!" Olivia couldn't help but hug her and say sincerely.
Evelyn cringed at the sentimentality. "Well, save those hugs for Mr. Hamilton. As long as you two are doing well, that's all that matters!
Alright, since you've got it under control, I'll get going. I won't interrupt your time together. Go back inside and continue what you were doing with Mr. Hamilton."
After saying that, without waiting for Olivia's reaction, she turned and ran off.
Olivia blushed.
What was Evelyn saying!
She ran so fast—probably afraid of getting hit, right?
Olivia finally went inside, her ears still red.
Andrew was sitting on the sofa, casually playing with a cartoon building block that Bianca had put together.
Under the lights, his hands looked particularly long and elegant, with defined knuckles.
His tall figure leaned back on the sofa with a lazy air, his long legs slightly apart, full of allure.
Olivia couldn't help but think of what her friend had said before leaving.
The scenes that popped into her head made her feel embarrassed.
It was all Evelyn's fault for making her think impure thoughts!
Andrew heard the sound and looked up slightly.
Seeing only her, he asked, "She left?"
Olivia forced herself to calm down, nodded, and sat down beside him, saying, "Want to know what she told me?"
Andrew raised an eyebrow.
He hadn't intended to ask about their girl talk.
But now hearing this, it involved him?
"What did she say? Don't tell me she was badmouthing me?" He set down the blocks and took her hand instead, playing with her fingers.
Olivia let him hold her hand and replied, "I heard that when I wasn't around, a lot of women were throwing themselves at you. Many people thought we'd broken up and were getting ideas!"
Andrew frowned. "That happened? I haven't heard about it! As for a lot of women..."
He thought carefully. "There have been more business events lately, and quite a few people have tried to approach me, but I haven't given anyone a chance!
Here in Harmony City, as long as I don't want it, no one can get close to me!"
His eyes deepened as he looked at her, his tone low and serious. "All these years, the only exception, the only one I've actively given a chance to, is you."