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

Chapter 24: Caught

The man she'd saved eight years ago? Olive recalled being twelve and rescuing an unconscious man from the snow. She was certain he would have died had she hesitated.

The road was snowbound, and dusk was approaching. The temperature was frigid, and he was shivering. She took him to a nearby cave, built a fire to warm him, but he remained dangerously cold. She removed her clothes and hugged him tightly, using her body heat to save his life.

Reflecting on it, she'd been only twelve and solely focused on saving a life. However, others interpreted it differently.

North was right; Gabriella and Derrick were despicable.

Olive replied, "Eight years have passed. I don't remember the man. Even if he stood before me, I probably wouldn't recognize him. But when he awoke, he gave me a diamond pendant and promised to return for me."

"What about the pendant?" North asked.

"I I lost it."

North sent a perplexed emoji. "Haven't you read any romance novels? The cliché is that the man you saved is a prince or from a wealthy family."

Olive genuinely didn't know what had happened to the pendant. She remembered locking it in her bedroom drawer, but it was gone when she checked again.

North messaged Olive: Derrick's phone was tracked. The call he made led to a cottage on the outskirts of LA, where Aunt Rebecca was being held.

Olive studied the address. She'd already planned to use herself as bait to meet Derrick. He'd hidden Aunt Rebecca in a suburban cottage—excellent! She had her location.

Olive sent a kiss emoji and ended the chat. Night was ideal for her mission; she wanted to find Aunt Rebecca immediately. She would deal with Gabriella's slander later. Rescuing Aunt Rebecca was the priority.

As Olive prepared to leave, her phone rang. It was Elvis ("Mr. Augustine"). The phone rang three times before she answered. Soon, a message popped up: "Fallen asleep?"

Olive stared at the screen; his usual concise, strong style. She scrolled through their previous chats and realized she'd fallen for him. Now recovered, she needed to erect a barrier to protect herself from further hurt.

She didn't reply, placed her phone in her bag, and headed to the cottage.

Elvis had already returned to Los Angeles. Harry and Raven met him at the airport.

In the limousine, Elvis stared at his phone, waiting for a reply that didn't come. His face clouded with a frown.

Harry chuckled, "Bro, why return two days early? You even flew overnight. And there's some beauty embedded in your phone; I've been watching you."

Elvis remained focused on his phone, ignoring Harry.

Raven smiled, "Elvis doesn't have time for more beauties. That would be adultery, right?"

Elvis kicked Raven.

"Ouch!" Raven laughed.

Elvis called Red Villa. Uncle Henry, the housekeeper, answered. "Where's Olive? Asleep?"

Raven brushed dust from his trousers, "You won't admit you're falling for her."

"Young master, Ma'am Olive just left," Uncle Henry replied.

"Okay," Elvis hung up.

Harry exclaimed, "Damn! What's wrong with your lady? It's eight o'clock. You just arrived from a business trip. Shouldn't she be bathed, in a sexy nightdress, waiting for you? Bro, is she cheating?"

Elvis glared, silencing Harry. He turned to Andrew, his driver, "Find out where Olive is."

"Yes, President," Andrew replied.

Olive reached the cottage and smelled medicine. Aunt Rebecca was unwell, seemingly treated by Derrick. Seeing her aunt's aged appearance, Olive felt a pang of sorrow.

"Aunt Rebecca," Olive said, gently shaking her. "Aunt Rebecca, open your eyes, it's me."

Aunt Rebecca's eyes fluttered open. Seeing Olive, her face lit up. "Miss, it's really you! Sir Derrick didn't lie; he brought me to you." Tears streamed down her face. "Little miss, you've grown up."

Aunt Rebecca coughed violently, spitting blood. Olive checked her pulse; she was severely weakened.

"Aunt Rebecca, don't speak. We need to go to the hospital. I'll get you out of here."

Olive helped her up as they headed for the door. Outside, the lights were bright, and Derrick walked in.