Chapter 119 His Beloved
After Amelia left, Olivia closed the door and went back inside.
Vaughn and Victoria were still fuming with anger.
Victoria was so upset that her heart ached.
Worried something might happen to her, Olivia quickly patted her back to comfort her, while the thought of divorce surged even more strongly in her mind.
She really couldn't stand it for even one more day!
Honestly, sometimes she almost wished Bianca wasn't that man's child.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have suffered such humiliation today!
After Victoria calmed down, tears began streaming down uncontrollably.
She felt sorry for both Olivia and Bianca.
"Everyone says you married into wealth to enjoy life, but in reality, you went there to suffer. Your dad and I don't matter, but they... they're just too much, making you work like a slave and treating Bianca this way.
My two precious ones are so good and obedient, how could they hurt you like this?"
Vaughn's face was full of regret and self-blame. "If I'd known it would be like this, I should have stopped you from marrying into the Johnson family."
Olivia felt terrible. "It's all my fault. I insisted on marrying Michael, which led to all this... and dragged you both into suffering with me. I'm sorry, Mom, Dad..."
"What are you sorry for? You've done more than enough for the Johnsons. They're the ones who are heartless and inhuman!" Vaughn had never blamed her.
He knew what kind of person his daughter was—he'd raised her himself.
When Olivia loved someone, she was completely devoted. How could she possibly betray Michael?
Later, after Vaughn and Victoria's emotions had settled down a bit, Olivia returned to the study.
As soon as she entered, she called Michael.
Michael answered quickly, but before he could speak, Olivia angrily launched in, "Michael, when exactly are you willing to get divorced? If there's no love, what's the point of dragging this out?
Isn't Sophia your first love? If you can't let her go, then go be with her!
Back then, if you thought I used some trick, then all those days and nights I spent treating your leg and taking care of you should have made up for it, right?
Not to mention these years of marriage, I've taken care of your every need. Shouldn't that settle everything?
Isn't your revenge enough? Now you're taking it out on Bianca! What did she do wrong to be humiliated by the Johnsons like this!
Since you don't treat her as your own, then let go!
That way, you can go recognize Sophia's child as your real son sooner!"
After saying this, she hung up angrily, not wanting to hear Michael's voice at all.
Michael couldn't get a word in the whole time.
For the rest of the day, a faint gloom hung over the house.
It wasn't until Bianca came home in the evening that things returned to normal.
Looking at Bianca's adorable face, Victoria thought that perhaps the only good thing about Olivia marrying into the Johnson family was having Bianca.
The next morning, when Olivia woke up, she received a bunch of text messages.
Almost all were promotional offers and congratulatory messages from businesses.
Only then did Olivia remember—today was her fourth wedding anniversary with Michael.
In previous years, she would get excited and buy things to decorate, hoping to create a memorable anniversary.
But Michael had never celebrated with her.
She clearly remembered waiting with high hopes until late at night, only to be disappointed.
In the end, it was Yara who brought the maid Briar to pick flowers from the garden to comfort her.
Now, these business accounts were useless.
Olivia took the time to cancel the accounts she'd registered and blocked all these businesses.
After clearing things up, she got up to wash and have breakfast.
Evelyn was there too.
As soon as Evelyn saw Olivia, she called out excitedly, "You're finally awake! Come eat, then come out with me. I know you're not working today."
"Where are we going?" Olivia looked curious.
Evelyn smiled. "To take photos. I booked a photo shoot. The photographer just came back from studying abroad and is amazing. People are booked until the second half of the year."
Olivia wasn't interested and tried to politely decline.
But Evelyn wouldn't allow it. "Olivia, you have such a beautiful face, but never take photos—is that right? You're wasting your looks, you know?
Since you married into the Johnson family, how many years has it been since you've taken photos? Look at your Facebook—it's all Bianca, Lightning, or scenery. Do you have a single photo of yourself?"
She then turned to complain to Victoria and Vaughn. "You look at her. So young but living without any energy. Say something to her!"
Vaughn immediately agreed. "I think Evelyn's suggestion is good. Olivia, work is important, but you should also enjoy life. You've suffered so much already. From now on, be good to yourself."
"Yes, go out more, it'll lift your spirits. And I haven't collected your photos in so long. We haven't added any new pictures to the house in years." Victoria sounded a bit sad talking about this.
Afraid Victoria would worry about her marriage again, Olivia quickly gave in. "Okay, I'll go with Evelyn!"
Victoria and Vaughn were immediately satisfied.
Evelyn showed a victorious smile.
Olivia felt helpless.
After breakfast, Olivia and Evelyn got ready and headed straight to Lake Miralune.
On the way, Olivia pressed her. "You're acting strange, suddenly dragging me out for photos. There must be a reason. Tell me honestly—is the photographer handsome?"
"No, am I the type to choose looks over friendship?" Evelyn protested, but didn't hide it. "I was worried you'd feel sad about today, so I thought I'd fill the void with friendship."
Olivia paused, touched inside but amused on the surface. "You think I'd still be upset about this?"
Evelyn studied her for a moment and smiled. "Not anymore? That's good, but you're still taking photos with me!"
Half an hour later, Olivia and Evelyn arrived at their destination.
Lake Miralune was one of Emerald City's famous attractions and a photography hotspot.
When they arrived, the photography team was already waiting!
The shoot included several different styles, covering all the popular looks.
The makeup team was very professional, and with Olivia and Evelyn's delicate features, even minimal touch-ups made them stunning.
During the shoot, some other photographers who came to take scenic photos noticed them.
Seeing this beautiful scene, they couldn't help being drawn in, pointing their cameras at Olivia and Evelyn and clicking away.
Olivia noticed and was a bit surprised.
Evelyn thought being photographed without permission wasn't great and was about to say something, but the photographers spoke up first. "Sorry, you're just so beautiful we couldn't help it. Don't worry, we'll definitely give you the photos later. We guarantee you'll be satisfied."
Hearing this, Olivia and Evelyn let it go!
Later, during a break, several men approached Olivia and Evelyn.
Some claimed to be talent scouts from entertainment companies, asking if Olivia and Evelyn were new talent from some agency.
Evelyn laughed. "No, we're just regular people here for a friend photo shoot."
The scout's eyes lit up, and he immediately asked, "Are you interested in joining an entertainment company?"
He handed them business cards.
Neither Olivia nor Evelyn was interested in becoming celebrities, but Evelyn politely accepted the cards, saying they'd consider it.
After the break, Olivia and Evelyn continued changing outfits and taking photos.
When Olivia came out of the dressing room first, she vaguely felt an intense gaze.
Looking over with suspicion, she unexpectedly met Andrew's eyes.
In a pavilion by Lake Miralune, Andrew sat with an easel in front of him.
Around the pavilion, willow branches were laden with frost and snow. Against the white backdrop, the man's figure was like a splash of bright color on paper, handsome as a deity.
Olivia was startled.
When did Andrew get there?
How long had he been watching?
Remembering the poses she'd struck while taking photos, she felt inexplicably embarrassed.
Evelyn came out then and noticed her red ears. Finding it strange and about to ask, she also spotted Andrew. "What a coincidence! Why are you standing there? Go say hello!"
Without waiting for Olivia's reaction, Evelyn excitedly dragged her toward the pavilion.
Soon they arrived.
Evelyn greeted him first with a smile. "Hello, Mr. Hamilton. We meet again. I don't know if you remember me—we met before. I'm Olivia's best friend."
Andrew nodded politely. "I remember."
Then he looked at Olivia, his eyes deepening. "This outfit suits you very well."
Olivia felt a bit shy and quickly asked, "How long have you been here?"
Andrew's voice was low. "I came early this morning to sketch."
Olivia nodded. "What a coincidence. Are you painting the scenery?"
As she asked, she leaned over to look at his easel. "Lake Miralune is beautiful. The lake has a thin layer of ice, but fish are swimming underneath..."
Her words suddenly stopped.
Because she saw herself on the canvas.
Evelyn clearly didn't understand Andrew's painting style, but she could vaguely recognize the superior technique.
She instinctively praised, "It's beautiful. Is this your special someone, Mr. Hamilton? But... why does she look familiar?"