Chapter 131 Thanksgiving Wreck
The paperwork for Olivia's bar had been processed with remarkable speed, thanks to Alexander Fuller's connections. Men like him and Ethan rarely encountered bureaucratic roadblocks; when they needed something done, doors opened and paperwork moved with surprising efficiency.
True to his word, Ethan hadn't returned to his office since their confrontation with the board. Each morning, he personally drove Olivia to campus in his black Maybach, and each afternoon, he was waiting outside her last class, leaning against the car with casual confidence that drew stares from passing students.
It wasn't until late November that Ethan finally returned to Bennett Enterprises, though he maintained a reduced schedule that allowed him to continue his daily ritual with Olivia.
Thanksgiving arrived almost imperceptibly. This would be Olivia's second Thanksgiving with Ethan. Last year, she'd given him a custom-made deep blue silk tie purchased with her scholarship money—a gift he'd worn frequently despite owning dozens of designer ties worth ten times as much.
This year, she'd chosen another tie, paired with a Zippo windproof lighter. She hadn't asked Ethan for anything in return; his gifts came unpredictably throughout the year, whenever the mood struck him, never limited to holidays or special occasions.
Yet despite her protests, Ethan presented her with an exquisite diamond necklace—delicate enough for everyday wear but unmistakably valuable, like everything else he gave her.
"Thank you," Olivia wrapped her arms around his waist and stood on tiptoes to kiss his jaw.
Ethan lowered his head to peck her lips. "You can thank me properly tonight. For now, let's get ready for dinner."
Olivia's cheeks flushed. "You're impossible," she said, giving his chest a gentle push before turning to escape. "Wait here, I'll change clothes."
She hurried toward their walk-in closet, which connected directly to the master bedroom for her convenience.
Ethan watched her go, a fond smile softening his features. He slipped his hands into his pockets and started to follow, when his phone rang from the coffee table.
He turned back to retrieve it, his expression immediately hardening when he saw the caller ID. "What is it?" he answered curtly.
Richard Bennett's voice came through, grave and formal. "Your grandfather has been hospitalized."
Ethan dropped the phone to his side, lighting a cigarette and taking two deep drags before raising it back to his ear.
Olivia emerged from the closet in a deep burgundy dress, the new diamond necklace gleaming at her throat. "Ready to go?" she asked brightly, then twirled slightly. "How does it look?"
"Liv." Ethan's voice had dropped an octave. "I'm sorry, but I can't join you for dinner tonight. My grandfather's been admitted to the hospital, and I need to go there immediately."
Olivia's smile froze, then reformed into something gentler. "Of course, don't worry about me. You should go right away."
Ethan cupped her face, his thumb stroking her cheekbone. "I'll make it up to you tomorrow."
"Don't be silly," Olivia pushed him lightly toward the door. "It's just dinner. Your grandfather needs you."
Ethan pulled her into a tight embrace, kissing her deeply before reluctantly stepping back. "I'll call you later."
"You can call your actress friend, or your roommates," Ethan suggested. "Have them join you for dinner. They could even come back to the house afterward if you'd like company."
Olivia smiled softly. "I know, don't worry about me. Just go take care of your grandfather."
After he left, Olivia slid into a silver Bentley, instructing the driver to take her to the restaurant where she'd arranged to meet Daisy. She'd barely left the estate when her grandmother's call came through.
"Liv, have you eaten yet?" Martha's voice was pleasant, but Olivia's response remained reserved.
"Yes. Is something wrong?"
Her grandmother sighed softly. "You haven't called home in so long. I miss you. I just wanted to know how you're doing."
Olivia felt a bitter taste in her mouth. Once, her grandmother's concern would have touched her. Now she recognized the familiar pattern—affection followed by requests.
"I've been busy with school. Forgot to call," she replied neutrally.
"How long is your Christmas break?" Martha asked. "We were thinking of visiting Los Angeles for a few days. I wondered if you might show us around..."
Olivia's brow furrowed. "Grandma, I'm busy. I'm a junior now, my coursework is intense, and I'm studying for certification exams. I don't have time to play tour guide. Hire a professional—they know the city better than I do."
She paused, then added pointedly, "Besides, I haven't seen much of Los Angeles myself. My family's poor, remember? Dad never contributed a penny to my tuition. I've been surviving on scholarships and student loans. Tourist attractions aren't in my budget."
"But I thought you had a—" her grandmother began.
"Had a what?" Olivia's voice sharpened.
Meanwhile, Ethan was speeding toward the hospital in his black limousine.
As they approached the hospital, his phone rang again.
"Mr. Bennett," came Harry's voice, "Zaw has entered the country. He arrived in Los Angeles this afternoon."
Ethan's voice turned to ice. "Keep him under surveillance."
"Be careful, Mr. Bennett," Harry continued. "Zaw's a mad dog. What if he—"
"Send security to Reeding Waters immediately," Ethan commanded, cutting him off.
After hanging up, Ethan immediately dialed Olivia, but received a busy signal. He tried twice more before calling Walter.
The moment the call connected, Ethan demanded, "Where's Olivia?"
Walter replied calmly, "Miss Reed went out to dinner with a friend. She said you had approved it."
"How long ago did she leave?"
"About twenty minutes now, sir."
Ethan had just entered the hospital tower when his phone vibrated again.
He answered and listened silently, his face draining of color. When he hung up, he immediately turned toward the exit, only to hear Richard calling after him.
"Where are you going? Your grandfather's still unconscious. The doctors aren't sure he'll pull through this time."
Ethan stopped, his body rigid with tension. "Olivia's been in a car accident."
Richard's expression hardened. "Your grandfather has always favored you above everyone else. He's given you everything. And now, when he might be dying, you'd leave his bedside for that girl?"
A muscle ticked in Ethan's jaw as conflict tore through him. Family obligation warred with his desperate need to reach Olivia. After an agonizing moment, he turned back toward the hospital corridors, his steps leaden.
By the time Olivia regained consciousness, night had fallen. Her eyelids fluttered open, vision blurry as she made out two figures beside her hospital bed—Daisy, Sarah, and Walter.
Olivia blinked slowly, her eyes scanning the room. Her gaze drifted past Sarah, past the machines monitoring her vitals, searching the shadows of the hospital room.
Ethan wasn't there.