Chapter 172: Mrs. Augustine's Betrayal

Olive knew she was treading on dangerous ground. The mandala flower was extremely poisonous; its first contact had eroded her blood. Marvin, an academician with his own elite medical research team, had warned her the poison, while not fatal, would remain in her system and shorten her life. He’d bluntly declared her actions a dead end, simply saying, "Think about it," before leaving.

Olive quickly stopped him, grabbing his sleeve. "Don't tell your brother. This stays between us," she pleaded.

Marvin paused, his gaze falling on her hand. The door knob turned, and a group of reporters rushed in, cameras flashing, their excitement akin to capturing a hardened criminal.

Olive withdrew her hand. She suspected Pamela's involvement; Pamela, afraid, was likely trying to eliminate Olive discreetly.

The reporters swarmed them, microphones thrust forward. "Mrs. Augustine, what are you doing alone with this handsome guy? Are you cheating on your husband?" "Does President Augustine know? He adores you! Are you secretly cheating?" "Mrs. Augustine, did you consider the consequences?" "Handsome guy, are you from Los Angeles? Do you know Olive is married?" "Who initiated the relationship? Did she seduce you?"

Marvin remained calm and impassive. Olive, too, showed no flinch, standing tall and staring them down without a word.

The initial clamor subsided. Years of experience had never prepared them for such composure. Olive and Marvin's indifferent expressions seemed to challenge the reporters' professionalism.

Silence descended. Olive shook her head. "What are you doing? Who's cheating? Who was caught in bed?" Her eyes flashed with mockery. "You accuse me of cheating just because I'm talking to a man? Do you think I'm a mere ceremonial wife? I'll have my husband sue you for public slander!"

Everyone in Los Angeles knew Elvis loved Olive. Recently, she'd demanded a refund of 1.2 million on a livestream, prompting Elvis to send Pamela a lawyer's letter. The reporters knew better than to provoke Olive.

Marvin, observing Olive's beauty, intelligence, and bravery, was impressed by her ability to silence them.

"Mrs. Augustine, we're not trying to bully you. We just want the truth," the reporters said more cautiously. "Someone—Pamela—called us, saying you were cheating."

Pamela, hidden in a corner, had hoped for a good show. Her attempt to intervene proved futile; Olive quickly subdued her.

Now exposed, Pamela emerged. "Olive, stop lying! You cheated on Elvis. Admit it, and I won't release the photo."

The reporters' eyes lit up. Their photos were inconclusive, but an intimate photo would be damning. Olive knew Pamela referred to a picture of her fainting in Marvin's arms.

Olive's lips curled into a cold smile. "Pamela, let's swear an oath. If I cheated, I die early. If you're falsely accusing me, you die early. Do you agree?"

Pamela refused. "Olive, you leave me no choice! I'll release the photo!"