Chapter 274 The Death of Emily

Chapter 274 The Death of Emily

Frederick chuckled softly, then said, "Anyway, congratulations on getting what you wanted."

Olivia frowned. She glanced at her phone and was about to ask what he meant when Frederick went on, "Ms. Smith, would I have the honor of taking you to dinner?"

"Sorry, I'm busy preparing for the wedding lately. I'm afraid I don't have time." Olivia refused directly.

Frederick didn't seem angry; he just sighed with regret.

Suddenly, Olivia thought she heard someone sobbing in the background on his end. Before she could listen more closely, Frederick spoke again, "Ms. Smith, under what circumstances do you think a person deserves to die?"

Olivia pressed her lips together. "What do you mean?"

"Just asking casually," Frederick said carelessly. "I think if someone takes another person's life, then they deserve to die."

For some reason, his voice made Olivia uncomfortable. She frowned even more deeply, but before she could say anything else, Frederick hung up.

Olivia stared at her phone, puzzled by Frederick's motive for this call.

After thinking for a long time without an answer, Olivia could only put the matter aside for now—until the next day, when she was woken up by the shrill sound of the doorbell and urgent knocking.

Olivia walked to the door sleepily. When she looked through the video doorbell and saw who it was, she instantly became wide awake.

She hurriedly opened the door and stared at the two police officers on her doorstep. "You..."

The officers looked at Olivia and said coldly, "Yesterday, a woman named Emily was murdered and found dead in an abandoned villa in the suburbs. The scene was covered in blood, and the killer wrote your name, Ms. Smith, in blood."

Olivia's face changed drastically. The police continued, "Besides that, we learned that Emily came to see you before she died. We just brought the security guards in for questioning and confirmed this."

"Ms. Smith, we need you to come with us now to cooperate with the investigation."

Olivia stared blankly at the two people in front of her. After a long while, she finally found her voice. "Okay, just wait a moment. Let me change my clothes."

Turning back into the bedroom, Olivia was still in a daze.

This was already the second murder case she'd heard about in two days.

And both victims were people she knew. The thought made goosebumps break out all over her skin.

After changing clothes, Olivia followed the police to the station and quickly gave her statement.

After all, she'd been at home all last night and hadn't even gone out.

The security guards could testify that when Emily came over, Olivia didn't have a direct confrontation with her. It was just Emily cursing and making a scene on her own.

Later, the security guards drove Emily away, and according to the surveillance footage, she never came back.

As for Olivia's name written in blood at the scene, it seemed more like a warning, a deliberate omen from the killer.

The police repeatedly told Olivia to be careful for the time being and, if possible, to avoid going out and to protect herself.

Olivia nodded absently, her gaze falling on the photos of Emily's death scene.

That place was exactly the suburban villa where James had kidnapped and threatened her.

Olivia's heart was pounding. She put down the photo, stood up, nodded goodbye to the police, and walked out of the station to look for Brandon.

He was standing by the car. When he saw Olivia, he strode forward and took off his jacket to drape it over her shoulders.

Olivia gave him a slight smile. The two got in the car, and the interior fell into complete silence.

After a long pause, Olivia spoke softly. "I think I know who killed Emily."

Brandon looked over at her. Olivia took a deep breath and slowly shared her guess. "Emily died where James died."

She briefly explained what had happened back then. "...After James died, his death was classified as an accident. I don't know how Emily and Selene managed it, but the matter was covered up, and I didn't pursue it further."

"But now Emily is dead."

Olivia's voice sounded distant. "I saw the photos. She died horribly, and the police said she was tortured and interrogated before she died."

"Considering that the killer wrote my name, and Emily's hatred toward me, it's not hard to guess what she said."

Brandon's gaze grew more serious. He reached out and held Olivia's hand, which was ice cold. "You're suspecting Frederick, aren't you?"

Olivia's head snapped up, and she stared at him in disbelief. "How did you know?"

Brandon was silent for a moment, then said slowly, "Frederick is James's illegitimate son."

"Sorry, I didn't expect so many things to happen, so I didn't tell you right away. After all... this is the Robinson family's scandal."

Olivia's eyes widened. In an instant, everything seemed to connect—countless details and clues weaving together, finally presenting an undeniable fact.

She sat there stunned for several minutes before saying in a low voice, "Then... what are you going to do next?"

"Where is Frederick now? Will he..."

Olivia trailed off. Brandon squeezed her hand and said softly, "Don't be afraid. Leave this to me."

"I'll make sure he goes where he belongs."

Olivia was somewhat skeptical, but Brandon had already started the car, clearly not intending to discuss it further. She had no choice but to drop it for now.

She turned to look at the bright, bustling night scene outside the window, lost in thought.

After that, Olivia never saw Frederick again.

She didn't even hear his name mentioned. He seemed to have vanished from the world entirely, as if he had never existed.

Emily's case was eventually classified as an accident—killed by a robber. The head of the Dickson family didn't come forward, but Lillian, whom she remembered, came looking for Olivia several times.

She tearfully blamed Olivia for her daughter's tragic death, then begged Olivia to fulfill her daughter's dream and let Emily marry into the Robinson family.

There was no way Olivia would agree to such a request. When she refused, Lillian's expression changed immediately, and she started cursing Olivia. Finally, the Dickson family's security guards arrived and took her away.

This incident become a heavy stone pressing on Olivia's heart, leaving her dispirited for days. Even while looking at wedding dresses and taking wedding photos, she was distracted.

Even Hannah noticed.

After finishing the wedding photos, Hannah didn't say much. When Olivia got home and said goodbye to Brandon, she was about to close the door when Brandon suddenly blocked it with his hand.

Olivia looked up in confusion. The next second, Brandon stepped into the house and locked the door behind him.

Olivia was completely stunned. "You..."

Before she could finish, Brandon wrapped his arm tightly around her waist and kissed her forcefully and passionately.

After her initial shock, came a surge of indescribable anger. Olivia raised her hand and hit Brandon's shoulder hard. When he didn't budge, she bit his lip in frustration.