Chapter 4
“Olivia Foster is sick? Am I supposed to believe that?” Blake’s voice was cold and mocking.
“The moment she hears Violet is sick, suddenly she claims to be ill too? Breast cancer? Does she even know what that is? She’s just making things up. How ignorant!”
My eyes weren’t open yet, but I could already hear voices.
Next came my father’s voice:
“Conduct a thorough diagnosis. Don’t misdiagnose based on her self reported symptoms.”
My mother’s voice carried a hint of urgency:
“I’ve already visited. Violet needs someone with her. I need to go.”
Finally, Ethan’s voice came through, his tone indifferent:
“Stop pretending. I know you’re awake.”
I froze.
“Olivia, we’ve known each other for over twenty years. You can’t fool me. They’ve all left–no need to keep up the act.”
I slowly opened my eyes to meet his complex gaze.
“Why do you insist on targeting Violet? You have no idea what she’s going through.”
“The parents she’s known for twenty years aren’t biologically hers, and suddenly she’s an orphan. She’s been sheltered her whole life–how could she handle this?”
“Olivia, don’t you think you’re being too cruel?”
I closed my eyes again.
If I could, I’d wish none of this had ever happened.
My adoptive mother may have been cold to me, but she never let me go hungry or unclothed. Before knowing the truth, I could firmly tell myself she loved me, just in her own way.
I could have hoped for a beautiful future with Ethan, keeping my admiration and gratitude for Blake hidden in my heart.
I would have continued to envy Violet.
But at least I would have been me.
But now?
I’d become everyone’s discarded choice, yet they all insisted on telling me:
“You should be grateful. You should consider yourself lucky.”
I shook my head at Ethan.
“Go away. I don’t want your involvement in my business anymore.”
Ethan’s expression darkened.
“Olivia, I know you’ve always been strong–willed.”
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Chapter 4
“You told me more than once that you’d do everything in your power to make everyone who looked down on you regret it.”
“And now you got your wish. Though your methods weren’t exactly honorable, you succeeded.”
“But I’ll be honest with you–I will never let you bully Violet.”
I stared into Ethan’s eyes, asking the question that had puzzled me:
“Why?”
Why did everyone side with her when I was the victim?
Ethan’s dull eyes suddenly lit up.
“Her proud, arrogant demeanor used to irritate me.”
“But I got used to it. Even found it kind of cute.”
“Now that she’s vulnerable and weak, I find I can’t bear to see her suffer.”
A smile tugged at his lips, as if he were discussing something that genuinely pleased him.
“There’s something interesting about taming a once–fierce little tiger, isn’t there?”
His gaze shifted to me, but his eyes suddenly sharp.
“But you? From nobody to princess overnight, and you immediately became petty and vindictive, determined to drive her to the edge.”
“I used to think you were stubborn and resilient, but I see that’s not the case.”
“Just like her–give you a taste of power, and you become a tyrant, self–important, thinking that throwing me a few scraps means I should be eternally devoted to you.”
“Olivia, you’re so childish.”
My thoughts drifted back three months. Ethan’s career had hit wall after wall.
I could see his struggle, so I put myself on the line and secured him a project through my biological father.
It happened to coincide with Violet leaving Foster Enterprises.
He immediately concluded I had forced Violet out.
He coldly mocked me:
“Afraid Violet’s more capable than you, so you eliminated the competition early? She’s already lost her parents and her love, and now you’re going after her career too.”
“Olivia, I’m so disappointed in you!”
He turned and left, leaving me alone in the luxurious private hospital room.
To be fair, the Fosters had treated me decently.
After my return, they provided everything I needed at the highest standard.
Just like this hospital room.
Huge floor–to–ceiling windows, sophisticated medical equipment, and expert doctors.
The diagnosis report just sat right on the table..
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Chapter 4
But none of them believed it.
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