Chapter 368 Hope It Can Protect You Completely
Zoey, who had been full of anger, suddenly froze when she heard her suggestion. "What do you mean by 'bring her down'?"
Seeing that she didn't object, Charlotte said meaningfully, "Isn't she fixated on your mistakes? So what if she's the one who's wrong?
When that happens, what do you think she'll have to say?"
Charlotte's words made her intention quite obvious.
She was worried that Zoey might be too timid to actually go through with it.
So she continued, "Zoey, you've been chasing after Oscar for many years now, haven't you?
How many years does a woman's youth last?
Other women your age are already mothers of several children.
But what about you? Have you gotten anywhere with him?
Are you really willing to keep wasting time like this?
If this drags on, haven't you thought about ending up unable to marry at all?"
She coaxed persuasively over the phone, "As long as you sincerely work for me, I can support Oscar's family and help you talk to his family about your marriage.
You know how deep Oscar's family's obsession is with restoring their prestigious family reputation.
Whether you can marry Oscar or not depends on what you do next."
Her words were like a tempting seed - once planted, it was hard to give up on that thought.
At least, Zoey was moved.
Because Charlotte wasn't wrong.
She was already over thirty, a third of her life already gone.
From the first time she saw Oscar in her freshman year, she had fallen for him.
She'd been chasing after him all these years.
Watching her age keep climbing, was she supposed to turn into an old woman?
She wasn't willing!
And she wasn't resigned to it!
Charlotte's suggestion was perfect.
She'd tried with Oscar, and it hadn't worked.
Then she'd work on his family's side - she had to fight for a way forward for them both!
Zoey made up her mind decisively and said to Charlotte without hesitation, "Charlotte, I'm willing to help you."
Hearing the answer she wanted, Charlotte was very satisfied, her smile deepening as she said, "Then I'll wait for your good news."
After hanging up, a smug look crossed Charlotte's face.
She thought, 'Olivia, you just wait! My revenge is only just beginning!'
How could Olivia know that she'd already been targeted by these two?
Back at the research institute, work kept her too busy to think about anything else.
Fortunately, this time it wasn't closed research.
But even so, because of the conflict with Zoey these past few days, things weren't much better.
She was afraid this woman would make mistakes at work and drag others down.
So every day, she had to do an extra check of the materials Zoey submitted.
Only after confirming everything was correct did she dare submit them.
This also meant that her work hours got pushed back every day.
When she walked out of the research institute, the sky outside was pitch black.
Andrew had arranged to pick her up several times, but it had all been delayed because of her overtime.
Seeing this, Zoey mocked her coldly before leaving work, "Olivia, you should just worry about yourself. That day was just a small mistake on my part. I've adjusted, so naturally I won't make it again.
What are you trying to prove by doing this every day?"
Olivia looked at her coldly and said, "You'd better be right. If problems come up again later, you'll have to take responsibility yourself."
Zoey sneered. "We'll see!"
Olivia deeply felt that this person must have gone crazy.
That evening, when Andrew came to pick her up, she finally got out half an hour earlier than the day before.
Getting in the car, her face showed undisguised exhaustion.
Seeing this, Andrew couldn't help but feel sorry for her. "How did you get so tired? Even during the closed research period, I never saw you this exhausted."
Thinking about what was happening at the institute made Olivia feel frustrated.
But smelling the pleasant pine scent from the man beside her, her tense mood gradually relaxed.
It seemed that in front of someone who cared about her, negative emotions were easily amplified.
Before, Olivia had thought she could handle it.
But hearing his concern, she felt that sense of grievance rising up.
"What happened? Tell me about it, okay?" Andrew raised his hand and poked her puffed-up cheek.
Olivia told him about how Zoey had been causing trouble these past few days.
In the past, she wouldn't have complained to anyone, just silently digested the negative emotions herself.
But after being with Andrew, she knew that if she kept things from him, Andrew would worry.
So she went ahead and complained a bit, "Tell me, how can someone be so unreasonable?
She was clearly in the wrong, but instead of condemning the person who started it, she plays the justice warrior and forces me to apologize.
She's lost even basic values, can't tell right from wrong!
I'm being serious and responsible about work, asking her not to keep making mistakes and not to bring personal emotions into work - what's wrong with that?
She knows very well that if one step goes wrong, it could cause all the other steps to fall apart.
It's one thing if just our small team wastes time, but if we drag down the higher-ups and the leadership blames us, what then?"
At a place like the national research institute, the speed at which research funds were consumed was terrifying.
Once something went wrong, the losses would be huge, and they might not be able to take responsibility!
Zoey was simply being ridiculous!
The more Olivia thought about it, the angrier she got.
"There's no need to let someone like that upset you." Andrew held her to comfort her. "Some people want to self-destruct, and you can't stop them.
If she acts on emotion again next time, you don't need to show her any mercy - report directly to leadership and have them replace the team member. The leadership will surely understand."
"Mm." Olivia nodded, feeling he was right.
Why should she put up with that woman's nonsense?
Zoey kept causing trouble and didn't care about her career or future - why should she worry about it for someone else?
Andrew kissed her on the lips and said, "We finally get to see each other, let's not talk about others. I have something for you."
"What?" Olivia looked at him curiously.
Andrew took out a black velvet box from his pocket.
When he opened it, Olivia saw it was a very beautiful bracelet.
Andrew took out the chain and put it on Olivia's fair wrist.
A cool sensation came over her as Olivia watched him fasten the clasp.
The bracelet had a unique design, combining wooden beads and jade.
The quality went without saying - all made with the finest materials.
"It's so beautiful. Why are you suddenly giving me this?" Olivia voiced her confusion.
Andrew stroked Olivia's wrist and answered, "Naturally, because it has a purpose."
It turned out that the bracelet looked like a decorative piece on the surface.
But actually, it had a hidden mechanism inside.
"At this position, Olivia just needs to press the switch lightly, and the bead will pop open slightly, revealing the medicinal powder hidden inside."
Olivia was very surprised.
And quickly caught on.
She looked at Andrew with delight and asked, "Did you specially make this for me to use for self-defense?"
She remembered that last time he told her he'd handle it.
He'd already made it for her so quickly?
Andrew nodded, looking at her with a smile, "I specially drew the design for you and had someone rush to make it.
The bracelet is small and delicate, so wearing it won't affect your work.
In the future, if I'm not by your side and you happen to encounter danger, I hope it can keep you safe."
Olivia was very interested and immediately tried it herself following his instructions.
She easily found the switch, pressed it lightly, and the bead opened easily.
Seeing her eager look, Andrew smiled helplessly, "Why didn't you check first if there was anything inside?
If there was, we'd both be in trouble now."
After restoring the bead to its original state, Olivia looked at him with a smile and replied, "Of course, there's nothing in it. If I want to put medicinal powder for self-defense, naturally, I'll make it myself!"
Thinking about it, Olivia felt this matter could be handed over to Liam.
Because this guy was too enthusiastic about everything related to the Medica Vitae Sect.
During these days since she'd been back at work, he'd been persistently sending her messages every day.
When she had time to reply, he would hint, both directly and indirectly, that he wanted to work for her.
Olivia was a bit at a loss with this person's persistence, so she just threw him to Alex.
She didn't know how Alex dealt with him, but anyway, she got a few days of peace.
The message she received from Liam last night was him reporting that he'd been spending these days at Alex's house.
He also lavishly praised how great Alex's home was, full of medical books.
He was having a great time reading there.
Olivia thought that since he was free anyway, she'd send Liam a message.
When Liam heard he was to put something in her jewelry, he agreed without a second thought.
Having dealt with one trivial matter, Olivia could finally relax, nestling in Andrew's arms and admiring the bracelet.
The more she looked, the more she liked it - she simply couldn't put it down, and it matched perfectly with the bead bracelet he'd given her.
She was beaming with joy, and the fatigue seemed to have cleared away quite a bit.
More than ten minutes later, the two returned home.
Olivia was surprised to see that Bianca hadn't gone to sleep yet.
Bianca was curled up on the sofa holding her pink fox, her eyes red.
Her soft, cute little face looked somewhat aggrieved.
"What's wrong?"
Usually at this time, Bianca would already be sound asleep in her room.
As soon as Bianca heard Olivia's voice, she immediately got down from the sofa and ran over asking to be held.
Olivia picked her up.
Seeing her pouting, her heart ached.
Seeing Bianca like this, Andrew also asked in surprise, "Bianca, what's wrong?"
Bianca lay against Olivia, not really wanting to talk.
At this moment, Yara also came over and told them both, "She probably had a nightmare and woke up crying in the middle of the night. I don't know if something happened at school today.
She's been in a gloomy mood since she came back."
After hearing Yara's words, Olivia also became worried.
Afraid her daughter had been bullied at school, she sat down on the sofa holding her.
Then she patiently asked, "Bianca, did something unhappy happen at school? Can you tell me about it?"
Bianca buried her face in her arms, saying nothing.
Seeing this, Andrew stopped asking her and instead called over the bodyguard who was secretly protecting Bianca.