Chapter 76 Living Worse Than a Dog
As he fumed, Aiden emerged from the children's play area.
Spotting Michael, he ran over excitedly. "Hey, Daddy Michael! Check out this Lego model I built!"
He was looking for praise.
But Michael's expression turned stern. "I called you earlier. Why didn't you answer?"
Aiden was taken aback, unsure how to react to Michael's tone.
Sophia pretended to scold him. "Aiden, Michael wasn't feeling well and called you. What were you doing? Why didn't you come over to check on him?"
Aiden quickly explained, "I... I didn't hear it."
Michael, still displeased, scolded, "You can't get so caught up in playing that you ignore everything else. It's a bad habit!"
Sophia chimed in, "Yeah, you were too into it. You can't do that next time. Apologize to Michael right now."
Aiden immediately apologized, "Daddy Michael, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. Please don't be mad. I won't get so absorbed next time!"
Michael remained unmoved by his apology.
This worried Sophia.
Usually, a bit of coaxing and Aiden's charm would calm Michael down.
But tonight, she noticed a rare impatience in Michael's eyes.
She clenched her fingers.
No, she hadn't secured her place at Silverbrook Manor yet. She couldn't let her efforts go to waste.
Thinking this, Sophia moved closer, her voice gentle, "Michael, don't be angry. It's partly my fault. I've always taught Aiden to focus on what he's doing, which led to this. I'll talk to him later. Let's go eat? Dinner's all your favorites. I'll stay tonight to take care of you. I can't leave you alone when you're not feeling well."
Succumbing to Sophia's soft approach, Michael nodded in agreement.
After dinner, Sophia and Aiden managed to stay.
While choosing a room after his bath, Aiden excitedly picked Bianca's room and asked Michael, "Daddy Michael, can I stay here?"
Bianca's room was filled with limited-edition toys and rare, expensive items.
Being young, his greed and desire were evident.
Michael didn't notice. He just glanced around the room.
Olivia had decorated it warmly and tidily.
After a few seconds, he said, "This room hasn't been cleaned for days. It's dusty. Pick another one."
Sophia's heart sank at the rejection.
She didn't understand why Michael's attitude had changed so much in just a few days.
Was Olivia's departure really affecting him that much?
If this continued, did she still have a chance?
Growing anxious, an idea formed in her mind.
If she could sleep with him tonight, these changes wouldn't matter, right?
With this thought, Sophia took a bath.
Afterwards, she wrapped herself in a towel and knocked on Michael's door. "Michael, I don't have a change of clothes. Can I borrow one of your shirts?"
Michael's gaze lingered on her towel-wrapped body for a moment before he looked away. "I'll have Faye bring you Olivia's pajamas. Put them on and get some rest."
He called Faye, gave her some instructions, and then closed the door.
Sophia's plan fell through, leaving her stunned.
She couldn't believe it.
She was almost naked, but he was indifferent.
Olivia was unaware of all this.
After the signing ceremony, she threw herself into work.
On the weekend, following Andrew's arrangements, she took Bianca and Lightning to the military training grounds.
The area was heavily guarded, but thanks to her medical skills, Matthew had given her a long-term pass.
Upon arrival, she just had to show it to get in.
When they reached the training field, a trainer was already waiting.
He had worked with Lightning before and started by testing Lightning's responses.
Bianca, as the little handler, followed instructions and interacted with Lightning.
Bianca didn't speak much but used lots of hand signals. With a simple gesture, Lightning responded quickly and accurately.
The trainer was amazed.
He noticed that Bianca's hand signals were standard training methods, but simplified.
It allowed for quicker, more efficient commands.
He asked Olivia, "Has Bianca been trained in animal communication?"
Olivia shook her head. "No formal training, but she has discussed some methods with Mr. Hamilton."
The trainer understood. "No wonder! Mr. Hamilton's teaching methods are very effective! From what I see, Lightning can respond to commands that many adult military dogs can't. Bianca might have a natural talent for communicating with animals."
Olivia was surprised.
First, it was drawing, then music sensitivity, and now this.
All of these were nurtured by Andrew.
Had he seen this all along?
It was almost scary.
While she marveled at this, the trainer began more challenging training with Lightning.
Bianca, with her short legs, helped from the side.
With her there, the trainer felt the training was twice as effective.
By the end of the day, Lightning had learned various attack skills and the ability to quickly identify scents and search.
His abilities had leveled up!
The trainer told Olivia, "Continue bringing him for regular training. In about three months, Lightning should be able to protect Bianca from an adult attacker."
Olivia thanked him profusely.
As they left the training grounds, Bianca hugged Lightning and said, "Mommy, Lightning is hungry, and I'm hungry too..."
Their stomachs growled in unison.
Olivia laughed and rubbed her head, "Alright, let's get something good to eat. Both of you did great today."
Bianca nodded happily.
Olivia quickly found a buffet restaurant online.
The restaurant was celebrating its anniversary with a promotion: three people, one eats free.
She thought for a moment and called Evelyn, "Come out for a meal."
Evelyn refused, "I'm on a diet. Not eating."
Olivia laughed, "I need you for something. Hurry up."
Evelyn, suspicious but curious, agreed to come.
An hour later, at the restaurant, Evelyn watched Olivia and Bianca enjoying their food and couldn't help but ask, "Don't tell me you called me just to make up the numbers!"
Olivia chuckled, "You got it. With you here, Lightning eats free!"
Lightning seemed to understand, lifting his head from his beef bowl to bark at Evelyn.
Evelyn laughed in exasperation, "That's too much! You can't count me as a dog! And Lightning gets food, but I don't. I'm worse off than a dog!"
Olivia reassured her, "Don't worry. If you want, Lightning would probably share a piece of beef with you."
"Should I thank Lightning too?" Evelyn laughed, feeling betrayed by her friend.
Was it too late to end this friendship?
The following days, Emerald City was shrouded in cold rain.
But Olivia's days remained busy and fulfilling.
The lab's drug research progressed smoothly, and the recruited staff, carefully selected, were highly efficient.
One morning, Amelia called, "Today is the final memorial for Michael's grandma. There's a ceremony, and Bianca needs to perform a part. Bring her over."
It wasn't a request; it was a command.
Olivia didn't want to get involved with the Johnson family's matters again. After all, she had already said her goodbyes to Emily last time.
But Amelia seemed to anticipate her reluctance, "You don't have to bring her. I'll send someone to pick her up. But Olivia, Michael's grandma was so good to you. You can't even bring her beloved great-granddaughter to pay respects? How can you face her kindness?"
Olivia frowned but didn't refuse.
She couldn't trust the Johnsons with Bianca alone.
After breakfast, Olivia dressed in a solemn black dress and took Bianca to the Johnson Mansion.
Upon entering, she inevitably saw Michael.
She glanced at him briefly before focusing on guiding Bianca through the memorial for Emily.
Emily's portrait still exuded kindness and elegance.
Seeing it, Olivia felt a wave of sadness.
This might really be the last time she paid respects to Emily.
In her heart, she thought, 'Grandma, Michael and I are destined not to be together. He never loved me, and I no longer love him... I can't fulfill your last wish, but I'm here one last time to thank you for all your love and care.'
Michael stood to one side, looking sorrowful.
The rest of the Johnson family silently wept.
Whether genuine or not, at least they put on a convincing show.
Olivia's calm demeanor seemed out of place.
Amelia, noticing this, sharply remarked, "Mom, when you were alive, your judgment was poor. Look at her, not shedding a single tear during your final farewell. All your kindness was wasted! I told you, she's ungrateful. She disrespects you and shames the Johnson family! Look from heaven and see clearly!"
Olivia knew Amelia's words were meant to provoke her.
She didn't want to argue in front of Emily's portrait.
Later, after the ceremony, Olivia prepared to leave with Bianca.
Unexpectedly, Sophia and Aiden arrived.
Aiden ran to Michael, "Daddy Michael, we came to pay respects to great-grandma!"
Bianca's expression froze at the title, staring blankly at them.
Sophia glanced around and then approached Michael, "We're not too late, are we?"
Michael nodded slightly, his gaze briefly flickering to Olivia.
Sophia pulled him closer, "Join us for the memorial?"
Distracted, Michael agreed.
Standing together, Sophia spoke softly, "Mrs. Johnson, five years ago, I left to study abroad, missing the chance to be with Michael. I regret not staying by your side. If I hadn't left, I might have been your granddaughter-in-law... But regrets can't be undone. Today, Aiden and I sincerely pay our respects."
With that, Aiden and Sophia began the memorial.
Olivia felt a wave of nausea.
Sophia had married someone else and had a son. How could she say such things in front of Emily's portrait?
It was ridiculous!
Worse, Aiden called Michael "Dad" in front of Emily's portrait.
Olivia thought, 'Grandma, do you see this? How can I hold on?'
Olivia took a final deep look at Emily's portrait and left with Bianca.
The memorial was over. It was time to go!
But as they reached the garden, Amelia chased after them, "Olivia, since you're here, let's discuss the divorce with Michael. Sign the papers before you leave."