Chapter 263 The Junior I Personally Acknowledged

Chapter 263 The Junior I Personally Acknowledged

Lillian lowered her voice but sharpened her tone. "Getting mixed up with someone of unknown background who causes trouble wherever he goes will only drag down your own social standing and turn us into a joke for everyone."

"Come back with me."

With that, Lillian said nothing more. She grabbed Emily's arm and pulled her back with force.

Emily was unwilling, turning to glare fiercely at Olivia, but she was still dragged away by an angry Lillian.

Seeing this, her group of hangers-on all looked at one another.

They quickly lost interest. No one bothered to hassle Olivia and Frederick anymore. At most, they shot them a few dirty looks before dispersing.

The entire backyard fell quiet, leaving only the soft sound of the evening breeze rustling through the leaves.

Frederick looked at Olivia, his tone carrying a hint of apology. "I'm sorry."

"I called out to you and pulled you into the conversation so abruptly just now, and it gave them an excuse to pick on you."

Olivia waved her hand lightly, her expression calm. "It has nothing to do with you. Emily was determined to make things difficult for me. Even without you, she would have found a way to start something."

After this incident, the sense of distance between them had actually faded quite a bit, and the atmosphere became much more relaxed and comfortable.

Frederick's lips curved slightly, a faint smile in his eyes. "Ms. Smith, you certainly see things clearly."

He paused, then gestured toward the flower pavilion not far away. "I'd like to invite you for a drink. Would I have that honor?"

Olivia thought for a moment and nodded.

If she stayed where she was, who knew how much more trouble she'd have to deal with? It was better to stay out of sight.

"Alright."

The two walked side by side toward the flower pavilion.

Inside the pavilion, various orchids and tulips were planted all around, with a few small tables and chairs set in the middle, the flowers and plants arranged in an intricate and delicate manner.

The place was quiet and elegant, not easily visible from outside. As soon as Olivia stepped in, she gave a satisfied nod.

Seeing that she liked it, Frederick's expression became even gentler. "Ms. Smith, please wait a moment."

In just a few minutes, he returned carrying two crystal glasses and an unopened bottle of champagne.

Frederick walked to the table and opened the bottle, pouring the wine with elegant movements, each step smooth and unhurried, simply pleasing to watch.

"I chose champagne without asking for your permission first. Ms. Smith, you don't mind, do you?"

Olivia took the glass and shook her head with a smile. "Of course not."

She took a small sip. The crisp flavor spread across her tongue, and despite having just gone through an unpleasant scene, Olivia couldn't help but let out a sigh of appreciation.

Good wine.

Frederick sat down across from her, took a light sip of his own wine, and spoke in an easy, natural tone. "I'd only seen you in the news before. I imagined you would be brave, strong-willed, and sharp-edged. Meeting you today, you really are just as they say."

Olivia smiled faintly. "I was just forced into it. People who are too gentle get eaten alive, bones and all."

A flash of admiration crossed Frederick's eyes. "Not everyone can turn a bad hand into a winning one. Ms. Smith, you dared to put yourself into the game—that takes real courage."

Olivia couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

She turned to glance at Frederick, but he looked perfectly normal, as if he'd only made an offhand comment with no other meaning.

After thinking about it, Olivia chose not to follow that thread and simply continued drinking her wine.

The light in the flower pavilion was soft, and the delicate scent of wine lingered in the air. For a moment, she felt unusually relaxed.

But the peace didn't last long. Frederick gently swirled the wine in his glass and suddenly let out a quiet sigh.

"Speaking of recent events, the most shocking one has to be the death of James from the Robinson family."

His voice was calm. "I heard that Mr. Robinson had quite a glorious life, with so many people flattering and accommodating him. In the end, he still had to die, and he couldn't take anything with him."

Olivia's fingertips tightened slightly around her glass.

In an instant, countless memories flashed through her mind, finally freezing on James's face, his eyes wide open in death.

A trace of coldness passed through Olivia's eyes, but her face remained expressionless as she answered with only a faint sound.

Frederick glanced at her, his tone growing even lighter, as if he had just mentioned it casually. "But there's been a rumor in the circle recently, saying you were also present before James's accident."

Olivia's movements paused for a moment, then she shook her head. "A rumor."

"I was at the company all day and never saw Mr. Robinson."

"Is that so?" Frederick smiled warmly. "Looks like I was talking too much, actually believing such nonsense."

Olivia didn't respond.

The flower pavilion fell quiet again.

Outside, the sky gradually darkened, dusk spreading across the garden. The lights in the villa came on one after another—the banquet had entered its main event.

Olivia stood up. "I should go back."

Frederick also rose at once, his posture elegant. "I'll walk you over."

The two left the flower pavilion together and returned to the main banquet hall.

Inside, it was already bustling with voices, a sea of elegant clothes and perfume. Many business leaders and prominent families surrounded Hannah, compliments and blessings rising and falling one after another, lively and festive.

Hannah was encircled at the very center. She looked even better than she had in the afternoon. Her gaze swept the room and immediately landed on Olivia standing outside the crowd.

Her face broke into an even warmer smile. She lifted her hand at once and waved enthusiastically to her.

"Olivia, come here, come to me."

The surroundings instantly fell quiet, and countless gazes focused on Olivia all at once.

Some were curious, some probing, some disdainful, and some watching the show with amusement.

Olivia's expression remained composed. Meeting all those different looks, she calmly walked step by step to Hannah's side.

Hannah immediately took her hand in a familiar, affectionate grip, holding it tightly in her palm. She raised her voice and solemnly introduced her to the room full of guests. "This is Olivia, a junior I've personally acknowledged."

Hannah's tone was full of undisguised affection. "From now on, if any of you run into her, please show me some respect and look after her."

These words carried great weight. Even Olivia widened her eyes in surprise.

She lowered her gaze to look at Hannah, only to meet Hannah's warm and gentle eyes.

The entire room fell into a subtle silence.

The way people looked at Olivia immediately gained several more layers of meaning.

Not far away, Emily stared at this scene, her nails nearly digging into her palms. She clenched her fists tightly, her chest rising and falling without pause.

Why!

That divorced bitch—how could she possibly deserve such attention from Hannah!

Even she herself had never been introduced so formally by Hannah. This wasn't fair!

Beside her, Lillian's eyes also turned cold.

Hannah clearly knew Emily was infatuated with Brandon, and she knew Olivia was entangled with Brandon, yet she still said such things. She clearly didn't take the Dickson family seriously.

Old witch...

Lillian snorted coldly in her heart, but when she turned and saw Emily almost mad with anger, a wave of irritation at her uselessness surged up inside.

Fool. It's just a man.

Even so, Lillian could still barely hold herself together. Without letting any emotion show on her face, she nudged Emily's arm. "Don't make us a laughing stock."