Chapter 120 Catching Adultery
Olivia couldn't wait to leave immediately.
What nonsense was Evelyn talking about?
She was about to pull Evelyn behind her, but before she could, she heard Evelyn continue, "The pattern on this dress also looks very familiar, very much like the dress you were wearing just now..."
At this point, Evelyn realized something and said in sudden understanding, "What? Mr. Hamilton painted Olivia?"
Olivia really wanted to cover her mouth.
Andrew's expression remained calm and natural as he said, "Yes, I happened to see her and got inspired, so I painted it. But it's not finished yet—I've only completed half of the figure."
He looked at Olivia and asked, "You don't mind, do you?"
"I don't mind." Olivia shook her head, trying to appear calm.
Evelyn showed no embarrassment about her earlier slip of the tongue and immediately praised, "Why would she mind? Mr. Hamilton, you painted it so well. No wonder I thought it looked familiar. It's just an outline, but the spirit is already coming through. Once it's finished, won't it be a masterpiece?"
Andrew remained composed and responded, "You're too kind!"
Then he said, "Give me a moment."
He then picked up his brush and quickly sketched lines and filled in some missing shadows on the paper.
In about ten minutes, the painting in front of them became completely clear.
This time, without even looking closely, anyone could tell the person in the painting was Olivia.
That charming figure, those captivating eyes—it was almost lifelike.
Olivia was like a gorgeous flower blooming in the snow, so beautiful that people couldn't look away.
Evelyn was amazed. "This is just as good as a photograph... no, actually, it has even more charm than a photograph!"
Although Olivia was extremely beautiful, somehow, there was a feeling that the person in the painting was even more stunning.
It was as if the painter had captured all her best features and magnified them to the extreme.
Olivia also loved it.
It was really well painted!
Seeing her eyes sparkling, Andrew instinctively asked, "The outfit you're wearing now is also nice. Should I paint it?"
"Can you? Won't it take up too much of your time?" Olivia hesitated a bit.
"It won't." Andrew shook his head and invited Evelyn as well. "Ms. Thomas, you can join too. I can paint a portrait of both of you together."
"I can be in it too? Great, thank you, Mr. Hamilton!"
Evelyn didn't hesitate at all and agreed immediately, then pulled Olivia to sit down on the pavilion seats.
After Andrew sat down, he quickly started painting.
But this time, it took much longer.
Just when Olivia felt her bones were getting stiff, Andrew finally spoke. "Done."
"Let me see, let me see..." Evelyn eagerly rushed over.
After she looked at them, she was stunned again.
This time, Andrew had painted three pictures.
One of Evelyn alone, one of Olivia alone, and one of them together.
Without exception, they were all so stunning that people couldn't look away.
Andrew handed the individual portraits to them and said, "The individual ones are for you. As for the one with both of you, may I take it back? I'm missing a portrait piece for my collection."
Evelyn was already overwhelmed by the beauty of the painting and immediately agreed. "Yes, yes, it would be my honor!"
Olivia had no objection either. "It's my honor too!"
Later, the two collected their paintings and went back to the photo shoot.
Although it delayed the shooting, since they paid extra, the photography team had no complaints.
After everything ended that day, Olivia went to pick up Bianca and go home.
Bianca naturally saw the two paintings.
She recognized Andrew's painting style almost immediately and said in a sweet childlike voice, "Uncle Andrew painted these. Mommy, did you secretly go see him?"
Olivia didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "What do you mean 'secretly go see'? When I see him, it's always out in the open!"
Bianca touched the painting and said, "Miss Uncle Andrew..."
Watching this, Evelyn sincerely felt that Michael was really failing as a father!
Bianca had never said she missed him!
Sure enough, the child knew clearly who treated her well!
At the Johnson Mansion, since returning from Olivia's yesterday, Amelia hadn't calmed down.
The more she thought about it, the more she felt that Bianca definitely wasn't a Johnson family child.
Otherwise, how could Bianca be so distant from family?
She was just like Olivia—an ungrateful person who couldn't be won over!
This made her even more determined to kick Olivia out.
As for the replacement, it was undoubtedly Sophia!
Sophia was smart, caring, and capable. She could also help Michael in his career. She was simply the perfect choice for a Johnson family daughter-in-law.
If their relationship could progress further, divorce would be just a matter of time.
Thinking of this, Amelia immediately called Michael. "Come straight to Silverpine Retreat after work tonight. I've booked a spot there. The weather is perfect for hot springs right now. You've been working so hard lately—it's a good time to relax. Bring Sophia along too. She's been busy with company matters since returning to the country and hasn't had a chance to relax. You can go together."
After hearing this, Michael didn't refuse.
Silverpine Retreat was a very famous hot spring resort in Emerald City. The Johnsons went there regularly every year.
After notifying Michael, Amelia called Sophia to share the good news. "The atmosphere there is great. It just depends on whether you can seize the opportunity. And you don't have to worry about spies or being seen."
Sophia was extremely excited but remained reserved and well-behaved. "Thank you, Mrs. Johnson. I'll get along well with Michael."
That evening, Michael and Sophia arrived at Silverpine Retreat one after another.
As for Amelia, she deliberately stayed behind, claiming her car had some trouble and she'd be late, telling them to have dinner first without waiting for her.
Michael didn't say anything and took Sophia to the restaurant.
They got a private room.
During the meal, Sophia seemed somewhat down and drank several glasses of wine.
Seeing this, Michael asked with concern, "What's wrong? You don't seem to be in a good mood?"
Sophia hesitated, as if unsure whether to speak.
But then, as if unable to bear the pain, she said, "Today... is the one-year anniversary of my divorce. I remembered the nightmare of being abused and beaten back then. I thought if I got drunk and went to sleep, I'd forget everything."
Michael frowned slightly, his tone suddenly heavy. "What do you mean by abuse and beating?"
Before, she had mentioned that the breakup was because of Emily's pressure, but she'd never mentioned marrying another man.
One reason was that he didn't really want to hear about it, afraid he'd get jealous and lose his rationality.
But now, hearing she'd been beaten, he couldn't help but ask.
Sophia looked dejected. "Back then... after I broke up with you and went abroad, I met that man. He pursued me crazily. I refused repeatedly, but he took advantage of me when I was drunk once and forced himself on me...
I got pregnant later and had no choice but to marry him. But during the marriage, that man lived a dissolute life. When he came home drunk, he'd take out his emotions on me.
At first, I endured it for Aiden's sake. Later, I really couldn't take it anymore. I was afraid I'd be beaten to death one day, so I divorced and came back to the country."
At this point, her eyes reddened, and she looked aggrieved, as if it were all true.
Michael immediately felt his heart ache.
He'd never imagined she'd gone through such an ordeal.
After the heartache, his tone became gentle as water. "It's all in the past. Don't be afraid. You're back in the country now."
Sophia's body trembled slightly as she grabbed his hand. "I know I shouldn't be afraid, but I still can't control it. Michael, can you stay with me? With you here, once tonight passes, I'll definitely forget all the bad things.
From now on, I'll stay by your side and Aiden's, live a good life, then grow the business and work hard to stand beside you."
Michael softened and naturally agreed. "Okay, but you still shouldn't drink too much. Too much alcohol is bad for your health."
Sophia replied, "It's fine. This sake has low alcohol content—I won't get drunk. And it's just one night, it won't hurt me."
That was what she said, but later, her eyes showed a hint of intoxicated haziness.
Her gaze held even more allure!
She started making excuses to get up, saying, "I... I'm going to wash my hands in the restroom."
But as soon as she stood up, her steps faltered and her whole body lost balance, nearly falling.
Michael reacted quickly and caught her immediately.
Sophia practically leaned into his arms, and the distance between them suddenly became very close.
"Are you drunk?" Michael looked down at her and asked.
Sophia clutched his clothes tightly, her eyes full of infatuation as she looked at him. "Michael, do you know how much I missed you during those years abroad? Every time I thought of you, it was so painful. That wasn't the marriage I wanted. I only had you in my heart, but fate was cruel...
Now I'm back and can see you every day. I thought I could be satisfied, but I'm still greedy. Michael, I still love you..."
After saying this, she closed her eyes and kissed toward Michael's lips.
Michael didn't dodge at all.
He was completely struck in the heart by Sophia's words, so naturally he accepted her initiative.
As Sophia's kiss became more passionate, his eyes deepened, and his desire was fully aroused.
The next second, he wrapped his arm around Sophia's waist and began responding forcefully.
Sophia wasn't drunk. Feeling his reaction, she was overjoyed.
She used all her skills to continue teasing him, slipping her hand into his clothes, touching his chest, and even reaching down toward his waist.
Her technique was skilled and sophisticated. Before long, Michael completely lost control.
He picked up Sophia by the waist and quickly left the private room, heading toward a guest room.
As soon as they entered, they went straight to the bed, deeply entangled.
When Michael wasn't paying attention, Sophia happily curved her lips.
First playing pitiful to arouse his sympathy, then making advances on him—sure enough, she'd won him over.
Tonight, she would finally become his woman!
On Olivia's side, she had just finished bathing Bianca and was about to go back to her own room to wash up when she unexpectedly received a text message: [Silverpine Retreat, Room A001, catch them in the act, divorce evidence.]
Olivia didn't react at first.
A few seconds later, she connected the meaning of the message.
Was this reminding her that Michael and Sophia were together now, and she could go catch them in the act?
This number... it was the same one that sent her photos last time!