Chapter 26
Chapter 26:
“No, guilt doesn’t come into it. He gave me the tools I needed to chase my dreams, and I’ll always be grateful for that. My hope is to repay him someday. Since he had the means to help, I believe I should use that privilege to grow and to give back—not let it become a weight that holds me down p>
She kept her eyes steady on Olivia and added, “Miss Marsh, is there anything else you’d like to ask p>
Forced to hold her composure, Olivia managed a tight smile. “You’re so young. I’m sure you’ll go on to do great things. I wish you all the best p>
Relief moved quietly through the room as the interview came to a close. That last question had been a minefield, and someone less grounded would have crumbled under it.
Kailey gathered her things, ready to leave, when Olivia called after her. “Hold on, Kailey. I have something for you p>
Kailey hesitated, then turned.
Olivia rummaged through her purse as she spoke. “I picked out a bracelet for you when I was shopping with Ryan. I know things are strained between us, but please accept it as a small gift.” She produced a jewelry box and flipped it open.
A quick frown crossed her face. “Oops, wrong one p>
She snapped it shut and reached for another—but not before Kailey caught the green glint of an emerald amulet inside. A chill moved through her.
𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗋ies 𝗒𝗼u 𝘸𝗈𝘯’𝘵 𝘱𝘶𝗍 𝗱о𝗐𝘯 𝘰n
“Hand me that first box,” she said, her voice turning cold.
Olivia feigned confusion. “That’s not the one I meant to give you, Kailey p>
“I said give me that one,” Kailey repeated, her patience gone as she reached for the bag.
“Kailey, stop it! Let go!” Olivia protested, clutching her purse tightly.
Their struggle sent a nearby shelf toppling with a sharp crash, scattering everything across the floor.
The room froze. Kailey blinked, dazed, and only then noticed that Olivia had moved to shield her from the falling objects.
She barely had time to process it.
The next moment, Ryan came striding in. He shoved the shelf aside and pulled Olivia protectively into his arms, then turned a cold, cutting gaze on Kailey.
“This makes twice, Kailey. You’ve utterly disappointed me p>
Ryan wasted no time rushing Olivia to the hospital, while Kailey remained frozen in the doorway, her mind blank and her body heavy with shock. After a moment, the assistant approached and kept her voice low. “Miss Evans, would you like to go to the hospital p>
“No, I’ll be alright,” Kailey replied, her voice hoarse.
The assistant glanced around at the wrecked lounge, still at a loss. All she had witnessed was Ryan carrying Olivia out with urgency carved into his face and chaos left behind.
Kailey drew a slow breath and steadied herself. “Thank you, but I’m going home. When Olivia gets her results, please let me know p>
She couldn’t recall how she managed the journey back.
Hours later, Kailey sat hunched on the living room couch, hands still trembling, thoughts tangled and unrelenting. How had Olivia gotten her hands on that emerald amulet?
A sudden memory sparked through her like a current. She sprang to her feet and darted into Ryan’s study, tearing through drawers and cabinets, rifling through shelves, opening every box, even checking the safe. There was nothing. It simply wasn’t there.