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Olivia stared at Jessica, then muttered under her breath, "I might have something to do with it."
Jessica stumbled back, her hand flying to her chest as a sharp gasp left her lips. Her eyes clenched shut in despair. She turned away, unable to look at Olivia anymore.
Jack rose from his seat and walked to his wife. Their gazes met—shared sadness passing between them.
Olivia shot to her feet. "But so what? Dad, you’ll take care of it, right?"
Jack spun around, his voice roaring through the room. "Are you out of your damn mind?!" His fury barely contained, his chest heaved as he spoke through gritted teeth. "We love you—but this? This is how you behave now? You try to kill someone and expect us to cover it up?"
"So what?! You’re my parents!" Olivia snapped back. "Isn’t it your responsibility? It was just a stupid accident. It’s not like she’s dead yet."
The slap came so fast Olivia didn’t see it coming.
Jessica’s hand trembled as it fell to her side, her chest rising and falling sharply. "I thought you’d at least feel ashamed. That you’d regret what you did. But you don’t even care, do you? What happened to you, Olivia? What have you turned into?"
Olivia clutched her cheek, glaring at them, seething with resentment.
"We’re a rich family!" she spat. "You both need to stop acting like we can’t get rid of small problems like this."
Jack’s patience finally snapped. "Small problem?!" he roared. "Attempting murder is a small problem to you?! Do you even understand what will happen if this gets out? If people find out what you did? Do you have any idea what will happen to this family? To my business? To your life and reputation, Olivia?"
Olivia crossed her arms, her jaw set stubbornly. "Dad, you don’t have to worry about it anymore," she said coolly. "I’ll take care of it."
Jack’s blood ran cold. "What the hell does that mean?"
"You promised you’d hand the company over to me when I got back, right?" Olivia said. "You told me I’d take over as CEO when I returned. It’s time for you to fulfill your promise."
Jack's face darkened. "Not anymore." His voice was final. "I’m not handing over my business to you. Look at the state of you! Look at what you’ve become."
"What do you mean?" Olivia’s voice trembled with anger, her breathing heavy. Her eyes flickered to the knife on the table before she clenched her fists, trying to rein in her emotions.
"You promised me," she gritted out. "You told me that once I came back, I’d be in charge of the business. So why are you going back on your word now? Just because I tried to get that pathetic beggar out of my life?” Her tone turned mocking. "You're so stupid! We have money! Just get rid of the accusation or throw someone else in jail. It’s simple for rich people—why are you acting like it’s the end of the damn world?"
"Enough!" Jessica roared, her fury burning in her eyes. She took a sharp breath, her chest rising and falling rapidly. "Get out of my house. Right now." Her voice shook with finality. "You have nothing to do with us anymore."
"What?!" Olivia’s eyes widened in horror. Fear curled in her gut. She had worked too hard, taken too much, to let it all slip away now. Everything she had—this luxury, this life—was hers. She wasn't about to let it go.
"Get. Out." Jessica’s voice was steel. "We won’t accept a murderer as our daughter. If you don’t leave, I’m calling the police and telling them everything."
Chapter 22 A Betrayal
Olivia’s composure cracked. Her gaze darted toward the knife again. Without thinking, she took a step toward it, but just as her fingers twitched, reaching for the handle, a voice cut through the tension.
"Mrs. Whitlock," Sawyer stepped into the room. He had been listening to their conversation from the hallway, waiting for the right moment. Just as he saw Olivia reaching for the knife, he moved swiftly. His long strides brought him beside her in an instant.
"It’s alright," he said smoothly, striding toward them. "I’ve taken care of everything."
Jessica stiffened. "What are you talking about?"
Olivia froze for a second, then quickly withdrew her hand, masking her unease. Sawyer wrapped an arm around her shoulder and spoke lightly. "Jack, Jessica, let’s all calm down."
Jessica stared at him in disbelief. "Sawyer, this isn’t a small matter—"
"It’s fine," he interrupted. "I’ll handle it. Trust me."
Jessica's jaw tightened. "No," she said firmly. "She lives under my roof, and I will not allow a murderer in my house. Get her out. Now."
Sawyer turned to Olivia with a practiced smile. "Go out for a bit, okay?" He pulled a black card from his pocket and slipped it into her hand. "Do some shopping. Clear your head. Let me talk to Jessica and Jack. Don’t worry about anything."