The Substitute Bride: Doted by My Billionaire Husband by Sumpto Midway

Chapter 23: The Man She Saved

Who was that woman? Elvis was a mature man; it was his personal phone. Was she his lover? Why were they together? These questions flooded Olive's mind. "What is my relationship with Elvis, and why would I need his help?" she wondered. She was merely a contract wife; it was not unusual for him to have a lover.

Abandoned at nine, she had learned to be independent. Apart from North, she hadn't dared to trust anyone with her sincerity. She didn't want to be betrayed again by loved ones, so she pushed them away. However, Elvis had forcefully entered her life. In a short time, he'd broken down walls she'd built over ten years, making her dependent on him. Dependency, when habitual, inevitably leads to weakness.

Olive's hands and feet were cold. She calmed herself, took out her phone, typed a message, and forwarded it to Derrick: "See you tomorrow night!"

Abroad, in the presidential suite, the public relations director, Rita Donaldson, stared strangely at Elvis's phone. Andrew Peters entered.

"Director Rita, who authorized you to enter the CEO's room? And why did you answer his call?"

Rita tapped the documents in her hands. "Secretary Andrew, I brought the documents requiring the CEO's review."

"The CEO dislikes people entering his room or touching his personal belongings. Next time, hand the documents directly to me. There are no excuses; leave now."

"Yes, Secretary Andrew."

"By the way, who called?" Andrew asked.

Rita shook her head. "I don't know. The caller hung up without speaking."

Andrew dismissed it, waving his hand. "Let's return to work. The CEO will be leaving soon."

"But Secretary Andrew, why is the CEO in such a hurry?"

"Rita, you're here to work. Focus on your job."

"I'm sorry." Rita left the room.

The next day, Olive went to see Derrick. She rang the doorbell. Derrick opened the door; Olive entered, and he closed it behind her.

"Derrick, where's Aunt Rebecca? How can I know you're telling the truth? Call her. I want to hear her voice." Olive was direct.

Derrick nodded, dialed a number, and handed the phone to Olive, who placed it near her ear. Aunt Rebecca's familiar voice filled the air.

"Hello, is this young master? When will you let me speak with young miss?" Aunt Rebecca had always called Olive's mother "Miss" and Olive "little miss." Ten years later, she still did.

A lump formed in Olive's throat; her eyes reddened. Everyone had changed, but not Aunt Rebecca.

"Hello, Aunt Rebecca, it's me, Olive."

"Little Miss, is it really you?…" She coughed violently. Olive knew Aunt Rebecca's health had deteriorated in recent years.

Olive held the phone nervously. "Aunt Becca…"

Derrick snatched the phone and hung up. "Now you see I told the truth."

He approached Olive, who backed away. "Don't come closer. Our deal is: you give me Aunt Rebecca, and I'll sleep with you."

Derrick frowned. "Olive, weren't you aware of the bid? Now you're begging me to give you Aunt Rebecca!"

"Derrick, you didn't understand the deal. Now you're begging me to sleep with you!"

"Olive, where does your confidence come from?"

Olive sneered. "You slept with Gabriella last night, yet you called me to sleep with you. Your dissatisfied face is my greatest confidence."

Derrick glared. "That's it for today. When you bring Aunt Rebecca, we'll make a deal." Olive turned to leave.

"Olive, don't force me!" Derrick grabbed her wrist.

Olive, prepared, swung her bag into his face. "Derrick, how dare you say I'm forcing you? Ten years ago, you testified against me, and now you're using Aunt Rebecca to force me to sleep with you. Are you worthy of my mother's love? Are you?!"

Derrick froze. Olive's furious gaze burned into him.

After a moment, Derrick put his hands on her shoulders. "I understand you don't want to sleep with me, but I don't understand why you wouldn't sleep with other men."

Seeing his paranoid expression, Olive calmly asked, "When was I with another man?"

Derrick hesitated. "Oh, you think no one knows what you've done? I went to the suburbs to find you that winter. I didn't return for a whole night. I searched for you all night. Gabriella later told me you and a wild man had been in a cave all night. When I arrived, I even saw you both sleeping together!"

Olive finally understood. The man had been stranded by the snow; she'd taken him to the cave for the night. Gabriella had lied about an affair, and Derrick had believed her.

Olive pushed him away. "I have nothing to say to you. Give me Aunt Rebecca, and we'll make a trade. Think about it." She left.

Back at the Red Villa, North was furious about Olive's story. "How old were you then? Why are these people so dirty-minded? But Olive, do you still remember the man you saved?"