Chapter 35 Found Him
Olivia was completely taken aback by the high praise from the art teacher.
Surprised, but also a bit delighted!
She believed what he said.
After all, he was an art teacher with a better eye for art than her.
The teacher clearly valued talent and didn't leave right away. He stayed to give Bianca some pointers.
Bianca painted with great care and had a knack for grasping concepts quickly.
The young teacher was instantly filled with envy, wishing he had more skills to teach Bianca!
Who knows, he might become the mentor of a future genius artist!
Later, Bianca finally finished her first painting.
The teacher held it and praised it once more before reluctantly leaving with the other kids.
Olivia was very grateful to him and extremely happy. She hugged Bianca and showered her with kisses, "Sweetie, you are amazing! Even the teacher said your painting is great!"
Bianca was thrilled by the compliment, her cheeks turning rosy as she smiled adorably.
Olivia's heart melted, and she decided on the spot that she would frame the painting when they got home.
This was Bianca's first piece of art, a keepsake that needed to be preserved.
So, on the way home, Olivia made a special stop to buy several picture frames.
Bianca loved her first artwork so much that she wouldn't let it go after it was framed.
That evening, when Michael came home from work, Bianca ran to him with her little legs, holding out the painting like a treasure, "Daddy… look…"
"What's this?" Michael asked, puzzled, as he took the painting and glanced at it.
Bianca said in her sweet childlike voice, "A painting… My painting."
Michael frowned and looked at her, "You painted this?"
Bianca nodded eagerly, her expression one of seeking praise.
However, Michael couldn't bring himself to compliment it.
To him, it was just a mess of scribbles, completely unrecognizable.
It was abstract, and the colors were chaotic, not to his taste at all.
Olivia came downstairs just in time to see this scene.
Michael immediately turned to her, "Who taught her this? If she wants to learn, why not start with the basics?"
The disdain in his words was hard to miss.
Bianca's eyes showed clear disappointment upon hearing this.
Seeing this, Olivia quickly took the painting back and said coldly, "Even a professional teacher praised Bianca's painting, so why do you have a problem with it?"
"You call this good?" Michael frowned, clearly unconvinced.
Olivia couldn't help but feel a surge of anger.
Aiden climbed a rock, and he got a "great job!"
But when it came to Bianca, he couldn't spare a compliment!
Olivia's gaze turned icy as she sneered, "Just because you don't like it doesn't mean Bianca didn't do a good job. Some people are just blind and heartless!"
To him, even if Sophia and Aiden did something as trivial as farting, he'd think it was great.
"Olivia, what do you mean?" Michael's face darkened, "Are you mocking my understanding of art?"
Olivia didn't want to waste words with him.
His ignorance went beyond art!
Unwilling to stay in the same space, she quickly picked up Bianca and headed to their room.
Michael instinctively moved to stop her, but his phone rang.
Predictably, it was Sophia.
Michael calmed himself and answered gently, "Hello?"
Sophia's voice came through, urgent and panicked, "Michael, come quickly… Aiden's stomach hurts; he was rolling on the floor in pain. I… I'm so scared, I can't take him to the hospital, what should I do…"
Michael immediately tried to soothe her, "Don't worry, I'll be right there. Try to calm Aiden down and ask him where it hurts specifically…"
As he spoke, he grabbed his car keys and rushed out.
Within moments, Michael was out the door, and the sound of his car driving away followed.
Olivia heard everything, her grip tightening on the frame, almost breaking it.
How ridiculous!
When Bianca was sick, he just arranged for a psychologist and never checked on her.
Even when Bianca felt unwell, he never rushed back to care for her.
But now, he was hurrying to take care of someone else's child!
If he cared so much, why not just got a divorce?
Was this life really worth it?
Or did he just enjoy the thrill of an affair?
Olivia felt a wave of discomfort, nearly unbearable!
Meanwhile, in another house, Sophia was holding Aiden, speaking softly, "When Michael gets here, remember to act like your stomach really hurts, okay? I told him you were in pain, so make sure you sell it so he stays with us tonight."
Aiden nodded eagerly, "Don't worry, Mom, I'm great at pretending!"
"Good!"
Sophia ruffled his hair, pleased, "As long as we keep this up, he'll come back to us eventually."
Aiden looked up at her, "Mom, am I really Daddy Michael's son?"
Sophia's expression turned sly, "Of course you are! Back then, I had to leave Michael for some reason, and Olivia swooped in and stole him away."
Aiden's face twisted with an unusual fierceness for his age, "That woman is awful, I won't let her get away with it! And her daughter is a fool, Daddy Michael doesn't like her at all."
He added smugly, "Mom, I'll be smarter and better, so Daddy Michael likes me more! When the time is right, we'll kick that woman and her fool daughter out of the Johnson family!"
"Good." Sophia smiled, her eyes gleaming with greed.
She not only wanted Michael but also the position of the Johnson family's daughter-in-law!
Years ago, she thought another man could offer more.
After making the wrong choice, she regretted it deeply.
After the divorce, she made up a story to deceive Michael, and he believed it easily.
This time, she wouldn't let the chance slip away!
That night, unsurprisingly, Michael didn't come home.
Olivia didn't care.
The next morning, Daniel called, "Olivia, Mr. Miller wants to see you. Can you come to the hospital today?"
Olivia thought it might be related to the previous treatment and didn't dare delay, rushing over.
When she arrived at the hospital room, she found Joseph looking energetic, sitting up in bed.
Olivia walked over with a smile, "Mr. Miller, you seem to be recovering well?"
Joseph greeted her warmly, "Dr. Garcia, come here, I have news for you. There's a lead on that psychologist you asked me to investigate."
"Really?" Olivia's eyes lit up, quickly moving closer, "Did you find them?"
Joseph didn't beat around the bush, "Not exactly, but I got some information. I heard they might be at the military base in three days, doing routine psychological evaluations for returning special forces soldiers…
The details aren't confirmed, as military matters can change anytime. But I think it's worth a shot!"
"What?" Olivia was momentarily stunned, feeling a bit troubled.
While the news was exciting, the military base was heavily guarded, not a place she could easily access.
She had no way to get in!
Joseph seemed to read her thoughts and smiled, "Don't worry about getting into the base, I've already arranged an opportunity for you. It might be a bit challenging, though."
"What opportunity?" Olivia was suddenly excited.
Joseph calmly smiled, patting his recently operated leg, "My leg has been disabled for years, and the military knew that. Now that it's healed, many old friends have come to visit and ask about it. I took the chance to promote you.
Now, the returning special forces soldiers have various injuries, and the leaders want you to treat them. They're even willing to pay you well."
Olivia was stunned.
She never expected Joseph to create such an opportunity for her.
Special forces missions were always top-secret and for the country's safety.
Ordinary people couldn't easily get involved.
But to connect her with the psychologist, he arranged for her to treat them.
And she could make money in the process!
Olivia was so grateful, she didn't know what to say, "Mr. Miller, thank you. But actually, I don't need to charge for treating them."
After all, these were heroes.
Treating them for free would be her honor.
Joseph waved his hand, "It's your rightful earnings. But remember…"
He paused, emphasizing, "I mentioned before, you might not see them even if you go. So don't get your hopes too high. Just treat it as a regular medical task."
He worried she might be disappointed if she didn't meet them.
Olivia understood his concern and nodded, "Don't worry, I'll keep a level head. Even if I don't see them, it's okay. As long as I keep helping the special forces, I'll get a chance eventually."
Joseph smiled, "Glad to hear that."