Chapter 300 Together
Andrew's words inevitably stirred something in Olivia's heart.
For so many years, this was the first time someone told her she could do whatever she wanted, follow her heart, without any worries.
Even Rodolfo, or her parents, had always held certain expectations for her, more or less.
While Olivia was free, she had always been afraid of letting them down.
Now, looking at the handsome features of the man before her, Olivia finally spoke after a long pause, "Actually, you don't need to do so much for me. I can fight for what I want with my own abilities. Isn't this costing you too much?"
Hearing her words, Andrew couldn't help but smile, "Already thinking about saving money for me?"
Olivia's ears turned red with embarrassment, and she quickly explained, "No, I just think there's no need for such waste."
Andrew's eyes filled with tenderness.
He told her gently, "It's not a waste. If it helps things go smoothly, then it's not a waste at all. Besides, it's related to you."
Only now did Olivia realize that since they'd acknowledged their feelings for each other, this man's way of speaking and doing things was no longer as reserved as before.
He no longer maintained that sense of distance like he used to.
At least, from his words, she could tell they no longer carried that sense of detachment.
Olivia had wanted to lay everything out in the open, and was about to take this opportunity to ask about the engagement.
But before she could speak, Yara came over to remind them, "Ms. Smith, Mr. Hamilton, dinner is ready."
With this reminder, Olivia checked the time and realized it was getting late, so she simply said to Andrew, "Let's go have dinner first."
"Okay." Andrew nodded and walked with her to the dining table.
Dinner was familiar home-cooked dishes. Bianca still liked to stick close to Andrew, and the meal was very warm and cozy.
After dinner, Bianca seemed to know that Andrew would be leaving again soon, and she was reluctant to let him go.
So she insisted that Andrew keep her company while she painted.
Andrew always doted on her and naturally wouldn't refuse.
The two of them painted in the studio. Andrew guided Bianca while opening his laptop to handle some work he hadn't finished during the day.
Olivia had nothing else to do, so she stayed nearby to keep them company.
As time passed, Olivia noticed that Andrew kept rubbing his temples, looking quite tired.
She got up directly, walked to his side, and asked with concern, "Didn't you rest well?"
Andrew put down his hand and gave her a reassuring look, "It's fine, just been dealing with more things lately. It'll get better after this period."
Hearing him say this, Olivia couldn't help but feel concerned, so she said, "Why don't you go rest in the guest room for a bit?"
Bianca heard their conversation and also put down her brush, coaxing in a sweet childlike voice, "Daddy, you should go sleep. Your health is more important! If you wear yourself out, I'll be so sad."
Both mother and daughter looked at him with concern. Andrew's heart softened, and he didn't insist anymore.
Yara had already prepared the guest room.
Andrew could go straight there to rest.
Not long after he entered the room, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in," Andrew said, looking toward the door.
Olivia came in from outside, holding a small tray.
He glanced at it and asked in a low voice, "What's this?"
Olivia said, "Sleep aid aromatherapy, I made it myself. And there's also nerve-soothing oil that can help you sleep better."
"Thank you for the trouble."
Her thoughtfulness brought a smile to Andrew's eyes.
Olivia shook her head, "It's nothing, it's the least I can do."
He had done so much, and Olivia wanted to do something for him within her means.
She quickly placed the aromatherapy by the bedside.
A faint medicinal scent, mixed with a fresh floral finish, spread through the air.
Then Olivia poured some oil and rubbed it between her palms. It had a very light fragrance.
After finishing, she gestured to Andrew, "Sit on the edge of the bed."
Andrew raised an eyebrow and did as told.
Olivia stood in front of him, her slender, delicate fingers gently massaging his temples, while asking, "You look very tired. Has your sleep quality been poor lately?
The bracelet I gave you last time—has the medicine inside completely evaporated?"
Andrew let her massage him, his voice slightly deep as he replied, "I don't know, forgot to check. Why don't you help me look?"
Olivia looked at the man's raised wrist, her beautiful eyebrows rising involuntarily.
She looked at him and asked, "Can't open the clasp again?"
Andrew's lips curved into an alluring smile, "It's not easy to undo."
How could Olivia not know that he just didn't want to undo it himself?
But she didn't call him out on it and still helped him open the clasp herself.
She examined the medicine in the bracelet carefully and found it had indeed completely evaporated.
Olivia pondered, "It's faster than I expected. Looks like I need to develop one that doesn't evaporate so easily next time.
Otherwise, if you don't replenish it in time, you won't sleep well."
Andrew didn't seem too concerned about this, saying, "It's fine. You'll be here from now on anyway, so you can add it for me anytime."
It seemed like he was using this way to tell Olivia that their future connection would be much closer than before.
Reminding her to get used to this way of being together.
Hearing this, Olivia's fingers suddenly paused, and she glanced at him.
"What's wrong?" Andrew asked, puzzled.
After two seconds of silence, Olivia said, "There's something I haven't asked you tonight. Mr. McCoy said you turned down the engagement your family arranged. Has this caused you any trouble?"
Andrew looked up at her and asked with a smile, "Which aspect are you referring to?"
Olivia's tone was serious as she said, "Multiple aspects. After all, that was an engagement arranged by your family elders. I imagine your family and the other family must have a very good relationship.
For families like yours, wealthy families, isn't maintaining relationships quite difficult?
If you do this, what price do you have to pay?"
From Olivia's questions, Andrew heard many hidden concerns.
Olivia was always so careful around him.
He could clearly feel that she was worried her presence would cause him trouble.
As a professional psychologist, Andrew understood her thinking very well.
Or rather, among the patients he had seen, there were those similar to her.
Because they had never been treated well, they never believed in their moment of good fortune.
Long-term self-suggestion led to this kind of personality.
To say he didn't feel sorry for her would be a lie.
Andrew's eyes deepened, and he said seriously and solemnly, "No, this engagement shouldn't have existed in the first place. I never intended to agree from the start. Even without you, I would definitely have refused.
You need to remember one thing—no one can force me to do something I don't want to do.
And the trouble you mentioned doesn't exist.
In Harmony City, no one dares to cause me trouble.
As for maintaining relationships, there's even less need to worry. No one wants to give up their relationship with me yet.
Even if the engagement doesn't exist, no one would want to give up cooperation with Skyward Corporation or the Robinson Group.
In the business world, profit comes first.
Which of those prosperous families doesn't prioritize profit?
So there's no need to worry about such trivial matters."
Olivia stood there in a daze.
She had indeed considered many things.
Each of those things felt like a huge boulder blocking their path.
As if they couldn't get close unless these obstacles were removed.
But she never thought that in Andrew's eyes, these things weren't worth mentioning at all.
He even reminded her that she didn't need to worry about any of this.
Was this what it meant to be so powerful that you could be fearless?
Olivia's expression showed she had learned something new, which successfully made Andrew laugh.
The man's eyes were deep, yet full of patience and indulgence. He reached out and took her hand.
Then, speaking slowly but firmly, he told her, "Olivia, I told you, I'll handle everything. You don't need to worry. You just need to focus on doing your own things, and that's enough.
Leave everything else to me, okay?"
The man's deep voice was particularly pleasant.
Olivia felt her ears tingling, and her face turned red uncontrollably.
She hesitantly probed, "So, does this mean... we're together?"
Hearing this question, Andrew couldn't help but laugh, "You're only asking now? Didn't you think so before?"
Olivia lowered her head, not quite daring to meet his eyes, "Evelyn said relationships need to be clearly defined to be settled, otherwise it's just being ambiguous."
Andrew pondered for a few seconds and rarely agreed, "She has a point. It was my oversight that made you feel insecure. So now, let me say it properly."
Olivia looked at him.
The man suddenly stood up, his tall figure looming over her, his entire presence commanding.
On that handsome face, the faint coldness dissipated, and the way he looked at her became gentle and serious.
Andrew said, "I took it upon myself to make you leave Emerald City, changed your work trajectory, and brought you to my side.
I never asked if you were willing before. Now, I'm asking you very seriously, Olivia, are you willing to give me a chance?
Let me have the opportunity to stand by your side, to be with me?"
Before last year, Andrew himself never thought this day would come.
Just like everyone in Harmony City knew, Andrew kept his distance from women. Very few women could even appear around him.
Let alone make him fall for anyone.
At first, Andrew's interactions with Olivia were truly only because of Bianca.
Because of Bianca's condition.
He felt an inexplicable fondness for Bianca.
Professionally, he wanted to cure Bianca.
During this process, he inevitably spent time with Olivia.
But in this process, he also saw her excellence and all the grievances she had suffered.
However, at first, knowing she was married, he maintained a sense of propriety and kept his distance, never crossing the line.
Later, as they spent more time together and he saw her being bullied, he instinctively reached out to help, doing what he could to protect her.
At that time, he still held to his principles in his heart, not wanting to break any rules.
Later, when she got divorced, he followed the rule of letting things happen naturally, allowing their relationship to grow closer.
He had never been involved in romance in his life, but he knew very well what he wanted.
Therefore, after returning to Harmony City, he quickly determined that he wanted her!