Chapter 106: Hand Into His Palm

“Don’t worry, Dean. Elvis Augustine is my legal husband.”

Director Hudson leaped from his chair, staring at Olive in disbelief. What was she doing?

The Dean wasn't surprised. Medical researchers, he implied, weren't typically interested in personal lives.

“Oh my, I didn’t expect Elvis Augustine to have such foresight,” he chuckled. “But Olive, go ahead and live your best life, my girl. Life is short.”

“Thank you, sir,” Olive replied with a smile.

“Alright, Olive, have a nice day,” the Dean added.

“Thank you, sir. You too.” Olive handed the phone to the stunned director. The Dean’s tone immediately reverted to its usual sternness.

“Director Hudson, I trust you can handle this. Do not allow anyone to disturb Olive. Is that understood?”

“Yes, Dean. I understand.”

Director Hudson ended the call, needing time to process the shocking news. He turned to Olive, studying her intently. He couldn't fathom how she’d earned the Dean's favor. The relationship between Olive and Elvis remained a mystery. “Olive, if Elvis is your husband, what about the man you married at the Red Villa?” He felt a splitting headache coming on and needed a clear explanation.

Olive’s bright eyes met Hudson’s.

“Director Hudson, it’s simple. All of Los Angeles knows I’m married at the Red Villa, but what you don’t know is that the Red Villa is owned by Elvis Augustine.” A hint of pride colored her calm voice.

Hudson was dumbfounded.

“Olive, uhm…” he stammered, speechless.

“This is too sudden. I can’t process this. Since you claim Elvis Augustine is your legal husband, then invite him to the institute. I need to speak with him.”

“Oh, just that?” Olive questioned, pulling out her phone and dialing Elvis’s number.

The call was answered immediately. Elvis’s deep, magnetic voice filled the room.

“Missed me already?”

Olive smiled, but quickly composed herself. “Mr. Augustine, are you free? Director Hudson wants to see you.”

“Why? Are you finally introducing me to the public?” He likely knew about the incident at the institute. He’d given her considerable freedom.

“Mr. Augustine, are you coming?” Olive urged.

“Hold on, I’ll be there soon.”

Director Hudson’s office corridor was crowded with eavesdropping students, awaiting the verdict on Olive’s fate. Pamela waited among them, confident in her assumptions.

“I heard Olive called President Augustine,” a student whispered. “She asked him to come.”

“No way! Is Mr. Augustine really coming?”

“Pamela, is President Augustine coming?” The students surrounded Pamela. She smiled subtly.

“Now that Olive’s ‘cheating’ has been revealed,” she said, “this is the calm before the storm. I doubt President Augustine will come. Men are tempted, but once they regain their senses, such relationships end.” She implied Olive had seduced Elvis, a conclusion she’d reached because she couldn’t comprehend how Olive had captured his attention.

The students nodded, agreeing. “President Augustine is a tycoon. He can’t be summoned so easily! He definitely won’t come!”

A confident smile played on Pamela’s lips. Then, a student gasped.

“Pamela, look!”

“What’s wrong?”

“President Augustine is here!”

Pamela’s heart leaped. She looked out the window, spotting a Rolls-Royce Phantom speeding toward the institute. A tall, handsome figure emerged.

Elvis Augustine had arrived.

He was impeccably dressed in a black suit, his aura commanding attention. Pamela’s pupils constricted. He’d come for Olive!

He closed the car door and walked toward the building. When everyone turned, Olive stood at Director Hudson's office door. The students parted to let her pass. She looked up at Elvis, extending her hand.

Elvis took her hand, squeezed it gently, and led her into Hudson’s office.

Silence fell over the hallway. The students were stunned. Pamela felt a wave of icy despair wash over her. Elvis had come! Why? How had Olive done it? She couldn't understand.

Elvis’s arrival settled everything. Director Hudson politely dismissed Olive. Though the students were eager for a final judgment, Hudson impatiently dismissed them.

“Everyone, back to class!” he ordered, the students scattering.

Pamela, pale and dejected, called out weakly, “Director Hudson…”

He still held a fondness for Pamela, remembering that the Hart family daughter intended for the Red Villa was Pamela, not Olive. Pamela remained unaware of this missed opportunity to become Mrs. Augustine.