Chapter 134 Not His Type
The coin was tails.
Olivia reluctantly accepted her fate.
But the thought of taking two years off school made her heart ache, and tears rolled down her cheeks before she could stop them.
Twelve years of hard work—elementary school, middle school, high school—she'd finally made it to her dream university. With just a year and a half left until graduation, she'd been so close to freedom. Financial independence. The life she'd always wanted, finally within reach.
And now she was being forced to put it all on hold for two years.
What would happen after those two years? Where would she be then?
And what about Ethan's feelings for her? Who knew how long they would last? What if he grew tired of her before the two years were up?
What then? Would she even be allowed to return to school?
Olivia felt backed into a corner, with no way out. Her future, once so bright and clear, now seemed murky and uncertain.
Ethan noticed the tears soaking into the bedsheet and felt his heart constrict. He pulled her into his arms.
"Stop crying," he said softly. "We don't have to do this. You don't need to take time off school. Okay?"
Olivia sniffled, her voice breaking. "But I don't want to go abroad either."
Ethan kissed her lips gently, his voice low and coaxing. "You won't go abroad, and you won't take time off. Once you've recovered, you'll go back to school."
"I can go tomorrow," Olivia said, holding up her right hand. "I injured my left arm, but my right hand is fine. I can still write."
Finals were approaching, and she needed to attend classes. She had to take the exams, or she'd fail the entire semester.
Ethan shook his head patiently. "I've already arranged a leave of absence for the rest of the semester. You don't have to go back to school, and as for the exams, you can take them when the new semester begins."
"No," Olivia insisted, her voice firmer now. "I want to go back and take the exams with everyone else."
Ethan didn't want to upset her further, afraid it would impact her recovery. In the end, he agreed, though he decided he would personally drive her to and from school every day.
When Ashley learned that Ethan hadn't broken up with Olivia but was instead driving her to school every day like a personal chauffeur, she was furious.
"Aunt Ashley, don't stress yourself out," Mia said, rubbing her back. "She's not worth getting sick over."
Ashley was at her Beverly Hills home, away from the main Bennett estate.
"Oh, Mia," Ashley sighed. "I know what you're thinking. But you and Ethan can't happen. You were raised by my brother, though you're not a Bennett by blood."
Mia's eyes filled with tears. "I know that. I don't expect to be with him. I just hate seeing him with someone like her."
She raised her head, her gaze hardening as she stared ahead. "I'd be less upset if he were with Victoria. At least she comes from a good family."
"Victoria Pearson," Ashley scoffed, shaking her head with a cynical smile. "Felix Thorne is just a nouveau riche coal baron. His daughter is the product of an affair. What kind of background is that?"
Mia, hearing her aunt's words, felt a rush of secret delight but pretended to be confused. "If you don't approve of Victoria, why did you try to match her with Ethan?"
Ashley sighed in resignation. "It's all for his career advancement. What mother doesn't want her son to succeed?"
"Thomas Pearson was appointed Director of Energy this year, and Ethan is transitioning his business toward energy. His military technology ventures are also connected to energy. If he married Victoria, with Thomas as his father-in-law backing him, he could firmly establish himself in the new energy and military sectors."
Ashley slammed her hand on the sofa's armrest in frustration.
"But he refuses to listen! He insists on being with that penniless college student! And now look—his energy projects are stalled, affecting his military contracts as well."
"It's even worse now. The Pearson family is aligning with the Hammond family. Together, they're targeting him. Forget about establishing a foothold in new energy—he'll be lucky if he can get a taste of it at all!"
Mia bit her lip, her eyes flashing with malice. "Aunt, what if we..."
Ashley held up her hand. "You can be angry, but don't let emotions cloud your judgment. Let's say we hurt that girl somehow. Think about how much Ethan would hate us. And even if he didn't, do you really believe we could do something like that without consequences? Without being discovered?"
Mia lowered her voice. "We could hire professional killers from overseas. Make it clean. And honestly, with a few bribes to those cowardly officials, no one would investigate too deeply anyway."
Ashley shook her head, looking at Mia with disappointment.
"You're too naive, Mia. You see everything as so simple. No wonder Ethan has no interest in you. He's too ambitious—girls as innocent as you don't appeal to him. There's no challenge."
Mia shot back: "Is Olivia Reed smarter than Victoria? Victoria is so clever, yet Ethan wasn't interested in her either."
Ashley was momentarily stunned by the retort, her tone hardening. "Men don't like women who are too stupid, but they also don't appreciate those who think they're too clever! And you, unfortunately, fall into the first category!"
Mia's face crumpled with hurt. "Aunt, how can you say that..."
Ashley cut her off sharply. "Don't underestimate our country. Those men and women defending our borders are why you get to live this privileged life. You think your social life paid for this safety and comfort?"
When it came to matters of national importance, Ashley was a true patriot through and through.
She'd served in the military and worked as a field nurse during the Border Crisis. With Ethan's own service record, she wouldn't tolerate anyone disrespecting those who protected the nation.
To her, an attack on servicemen was an attack on her son and everything he stood for.
Ashley looked at Mia with impatience. "That's enough. Go home. Stop this foolish thinking. If you try something stupid again, I won't protect you."
Mia stood, her lips quivering with hurt, and left with the air of someone deeply wronged.
The moment she stepped out, Hannah arrived.
"Aunt Ashley, what's wrong? Mia seemed upset," Hannah asked.
Ashley waved her hand dismissively. "Don't mind her." Then she sighed, "I don't know when Ethan will come to his senses."
Hannah smiled. "How long did it take for my father to see reason?"
Ashley replied flatly, "Your father never saw reason. He simply compromised in the face of reality."
Hannah laughed. "Well, that's the point. My cousin will reach that day too."
Ashley gestured wearily. "I've given up. I have no energy or patience to manage him anymore."
Hannah's tone was gentle. "Aunt Ashley, you don't need to worry about this. I have a plan."