Chapter 124 Andrew's Intent
Hearing this, Olivia thought carefully and didn't deny it.
Andrew had indeed helped her a lot.
Because of him, Bianca's condition improved, and whenever she encountered trouble, he easily resolved it.
She was naturally very grateful.
However, regarding the anonymous tip-off, she didn't think Andrew did it.
"Mr. Hamilton always acts with a sense of propriety. No matter how unpleasant things got between Michael and me, we're still legally married. Even if he wanted to help, he wouldn't use this method."
Olivia said this with absolute certainty.
Evelyn thought about it and found it made sense. "Then who is this kind person?"
Olivia shook her head, indicating she didn't know, but she was starting to have some guesses.
The first time, the angle of the photos sent to her was clearly taken from inside the house.
To capture such a scene, aside from the Johnson family's servants, no one else would have that ability.
A person came to mind, but she wasn't quite sure, so she could only hold back for now and first sent a message to Andrew.
Olivia: [Last night, thank you so much for your help, Mr. Hamilton. I seem to owe you another favor.]
Andrew replied with an image that looked like his own drawing.
It showed a deep blue ocean with a cute whale swimming happily.
The sea surface sparkled, with many seabirds flying. In the distance, brilliant sunset colors painted the sky and clouds red.
Though he said nothing, Olivia somehow understood the meaning it conveyed.
From now on, no longer bound, free to be at ease, watching sunrises and sunsets, clouds gathering and dispersing.
Olivia's heart stirred, and she asked him, [Does this painting have a name?]
This time Andrew replied, [No name, but you can give it one.]
Olivia paused.
"Can I?"
"Yes."
Olivia felt a bit excited.
Andrew was actually letting her name it?
That was his artwork!
Her mind raced, but she couldn't think of a good name right away.
She didn't want to treat his work carelessly, so after a long while she said: "Can I think about it? I'll tell you when I come up with something."
Andrew replied, "Sure, take as long as you need."
Olivia breathed a sigh of relief, feeling even better. She couldn't help looking at the painting again.
The more she looked, the more she liked it. Finally, she set the image as her phone wallpaper.
That evening, Olivia and Evelyn didn't drink much before heading back.
When she got home, her parents and Bianca were already asleep, but Yara was still up.
Seeing her, Yara said, "Mrs. Smith was worried you might get drunk, so she asked me to wait up. Do you need me to make you some hangover soup?"
Olivia shook her head. "No need, I already took hangover medicine. Yara, sit down. There's something I want to ask you."
Yara nodded. "Okay, go ahead."
Olivia quickly told her about the text messages, including last night's tip-off that caught the affair.
Then she asked: "Yara, do you know about this? Was it you who helped me? Or do you know if anyone from the Johnson family would help me like this?"
After thinking it over, she felt Yara was the most likely person.
After hearing this, Yara was very surprised. "This has nothing to do with me. Since coming here, I haven't dared to have any contact with the Johnson family, afraid you'd be unhappy, so I..."
At this point, her tone suddenly paused.
"Hmm?"
Olivia noticed something.
Yara seemed to have thought of something. "When I first came here, I was in contact with Briar. Could it be her? Do you remember Briar? That girl has a sickly mother living in a run-down house in the old part of town...
Back then, when her mother was seriously ill and had no money, you personally went there with her, helped treat her mother, and bought medicine. She's always been very grateful to you. Could it be her?"
Of course Olivia remembered Briar.
That young maid, because her family was so poor, worked various jobs while going to school. She was clever and hardworking.
When she came to the Johnson family, the butler hadn't planned to hire her, but Olivia personally took her on.
These past two years, she had kept a low profile at the Johnson family, but she did her work very efficiently.
Could it... really be her?
"Yara, she hasn't responded to my messages. Call her for me, but don't let her know I'm with you yet."
Yara nodded and immediately called, putting it on speaker.
After a moment, Briar's voice came through. "Yara? Why are you calling me?"
Yara quickly explained, then tentatively asked, "I happened to hear Ms. Smith mention that someone anonymously sent her photos. I thought about it and wondered if it might be you, so I'm asking. Also wanted to check how you're doing."
Briar was silent for a few seconds, then without any guard said, "It was me... Mrs. Johnson was very good to me and even saved my mother's life. She and Bianca were being bullied so badly by Mr. Johnson, I couldn't stand it.
That day, Mr. Johnson even brought that woman home, and the two of them on the couch almost... I felt Mrs. Johnson shouldn't have to suffer like that.
All these years, she's given so much to the Johnson family, been so kind to us. All the servants saw it.
That homewrecker was so blatant, it was too much. I couldn't help her with much, so I could only use this method."
After hearing this, Olivia felt all kinds of emotions.
So... it really was her who helped!
Yara hadn't expected this either and couldn't help sighing. "Good girl, you did a good thing... But this didn't cause you any trouble, did it?"
Briar hesitated.
Yara sensed something was wrong and immediately pressed, "Briar, did something happen? Tell me honestly."
Briar answered, "Not really, I just quit my job. I'm planning to take my mom back to our hometown. My mom's health is much better now. As long as she rests well, she'll be fine. I'm not as tight on money anymore."
Olivia's heart tightened.
Did this mean Michael found out it was Briar and kicked her out of the Johnson family?
Her mother's treatment also required a lot of money. She really needed a good job.
Right then, Olivia couldn't hold back anymore and said: "Briar, don't rush back home. Meet with me tomorrow, let's talk in detail."
"Mrs. Johnson... no, Ms. Smith?"
Briar was shocked.
"It's me."
Olivia was straightforward. "You helped me so much and even lost your job, but didn't tell me anything. So tomorrow, you must come meet me where I say, understand?"
Briar naturally wouldn't refuse. "Okay."
...
On the Johnson family's side.
Michael had indeed been investigating this matter.
Who exactly told Olivia about his whereabouts, leading to her counterattack.
This divorce made him look terrible, which made him very angry.
He even suspected his mother and Sophia.
However, after careful investigation, he found it had nothing to do with them.
Finally, he focused on the household servants.
At the Johnson Mansion, everyone was his mother's people. Though his mother didn't get along with Olivia, even if they gossiped, they wouldn't gossip to Olivia.
So the suspects were limited to their home staff.
That night, he didn't come home and only told the butler.
With just a little questioning, he got information from the butler.
"It was Briar. She asked me if you weren't coming home because you were working late again. I mentioned your whereabouts... and coincidentally, she resigned today. She must feel guilty."
Michael's eyes filled with anger.
If it really was Briar, he would definitely give her a harsh punishment!
As they were talking, Sophia came in.
As soon as she entered, she saw the conspicuous divorce certificate on the table.
She was overjoyed.
Michael had... divorced Olivia??
She was so happy she almost jumped up, but she pretended to look shocked and said, "Michael, what happened between you and Olivia? Is it because of what happened between us last night?
It's all my fault. I drank and ruined your marriage. I'm sorry, it's my fault that you two... Please don't be angry, okay?
If it doesn't work, I'll go apologize to Olivia!
If she's still not satisfied, I'll... let her hit me a few more times!"
Michael thought of her swollen face from last night, and his heart softened.
Last night, he had also been drinking and somewhat carried away.
This couldn't be entirely blamed on her.
Michael quickly dismissed the butler and comforted her: "No need to go find her. The handprints on your face just healed, no need to suffer again."
"Will you blame me, Michael? Last night... although I was drunk, everything I said came from my heart."
At this, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Maybe I did wrong, but I love you truly and sincerely. For you, I'm willing to fall."
Michael looked down at her.
Their breaths were very close. The madness from last night in bed suddenly flooded his mind.
He had been full of anger, but now, with just a little teasing, his desire couldn't be suppressed.
Since they'd already crossed that line and the divorce was done, there was no need to hold back anymore.
Michael forcefully pulled her over, kissing her dominantly. Soon, he had her on the desk.
In just about ten minutes, Sophia's wild cries began echoing in the study.
She felt crazy and triumphant inside.
Olivia, in the end you still lost.
Competing with me for a man?
What gives you the right???
...
The next day, Olivia met Briar at the coffee shop as arranged.
As soon as she saw her, Briar respectfully said: "Ms. Smith."
After Olivia sat down, she ordered two coffees, then got to the point. "This time I was able to divorce Michael smoothly, you played a crucial role. This money is my thanks to you. You must accept it."
Seeing this, Briar immediately refused. "Ms. Smith, I didn't help you to get any reward. I just couldn't stand how Mr. Johnson was bullying you.
Also, you saved my mother back then and even had the butler advance my salary so my mother's illness could be treated in time. I never had a chance to repay you.
Now that I finally found one, how could I take your money?"
Seeing her insistence on refusing, Olivia couldn't help asking, "Was it worth it? Losing your job to help me? The Johnson family's salary wasn't low."