Chapter 121: A Birthday Surprise
"No!" Pamela clenched her fists. She couldn't remain sane or rational, desperately probing, "Mr. Augustine, have you forgotten? You promised to surprise me on my birthday."
Elvis's handsome face remained calm, indifferent and aloof. "Isn't this a surprise?"
Pamela gasped for breath. She finally understood his meaning: the fake breakup was a planned humiliation for her birthday. Many people—Raven, Harry, and North—knew about Olive and Elvis's relationship. She had even spoken ill of Olive's husband in front of them at the Red Villa.
She was an idiot! Pamela habitually compared herself to Olive, but now felt like a complete loser. The embarrassment and humiliation were overwhelming.
Shaking her head in denial, she insisted, "I still don't believe it, Elvis. You didn't marry Olive, did you? Olive, why did you steal my man? You know how much I love him. My goal was to marry him! How can you be his wife?"
Olive glimpsed Pamela's obsession with Elvis. Her bright eyes met Pamela's. "Pamela, don't you understand how I became Mrs. Augustine? I didn't steal your man; you willingly gave him to me. You could have been Mrs. Augustine, but you didn't want it."
What?
Pamela felt electrocuted. Olive's words echoed like a spell. She could have married into the Red Villa and become Mrs. Augustine. How had she lost that opportunity? Her legs weakened, and she almost collapsed, but Monica stepped forward to support her.
Monica looked awkwardly at Elvis, shamelessly muttering, "Mr. Augustine, don't be deceived by Olive's innocent appearance. In fact, she's a master manipulator."
Elvis's sharp eyes fell on Monica, interrupting her abruptly. "Mrs. Hart, I know my wife better than anyone. I also hope you'll be careful with your words and actions. I am very protective of the people I love."
Monica's face went numb. She blinked and gritted her teeth.
Pamela's eyes reddened as she looked weakly at Monica. "Mom…"
The passage then contains a seemingly unrelated and grammatically incorrect sentence: "gave me everything that you ever dreamt of. I kinda contemplated if she loves me.” This sentence needs to be integrated into the narrative correctly, possibly as part of Monica's dialogue or Olive's.
Olive responded with a sweet laugh. Monica tried to defend herself, "Olive, you! Pamela, don't listen to her provocative words. Mom wasn't aware of this initially."
Pamela's brain felt overwhelmed. She pushed Monica away, refusing to look at her. Monica, heartbroken at being rejected by her most treasured daughter, turned to Patrick. "Patrick, I…"
Patrick understood. Pamela marrying Elvis was impossible. It was Monica's fault; she had given Pamela's life to Olive. He glowered at Monica. "Shut up! Don't you dare call me!"
Monica's heart shattered. She had just regained Patrick's affection, only to lose it again. She was abhorred by her husband and abandoned by her daughter.
Patrick looked at Olive, smirking and muttering, "Olive, everything that happened is my fault. Dad was deceived. You have to believe that dad loves you…"
Olive chuckled, her smile fading. "Mr. Hart," she called, "your love has always been for Pamela and Gabriella. What other love do you want to give me? Since you kicked me out of the Hart family, you ceased to be my father."
Patrick stared at Olive, his lips trembling. "Olive, this…this…this must be a misunderstanding."
Elvis, losing interest, looked at Olive. "Mrs. Augustine, shall we go?"
Olive nodded. He took her hand, and they left. All eyes turned to the Harts.
"So the fireworks were for Olive, not Pamela." "Pamela is pathetic!" "Who has Olive's phone number? Boss Augustine loves her so much; I want to be her friend!"
The distinguished guests—high-ranking individuals from across Los Angeles—departed. Pamela, Monica, and Patrick were left as laughingstocks.
Pamela ran outside, stopping to see the hotel covered in fluffy wool carpets and romantic gauze flowers. The staff stood respectfully. Elvis, holding Olive's hand, approached. Everyone bowed and cheered, "Happy birthday, madam!"