Chapter 286: Olive, I Finally Found You

Ms. Betty quickly brought a bowl of dumplings to the table. "Master," she said, "the dumplings are ready. Please enjoy."

Elvis speared a dumpling, then frowned in displeasure. The taste was dreadful. He remembered Olive's delicious shrimp dumplings and pushed the bowl away. "Take them away. I don't want them."

Betty watched silently. He’d initially assumed all dumplings tasted the same, but now he knew better.

In the living room, the old lady chuckled. "Betty, attend to your own tasks. Ignore him. I doubt Olive will be home tonight, so someone's making a fuss." Her recovery was progressing well; her appetite had improved, and her energy levels were high. She was watching a play at eight o'clock.

Elvis strolled into the living room and sat beside her. "Grandma, why isn't Olive back yet? She's your chef; did she forget her duties?"

The old woman interrupted. "Elvis, Olive asked for permission, and I allowed her to go out with her classmates. Don't try to stir up trouble."

Elvis sensed a shift in his grandmother's affections since Olive's arrival. "Grandma, do you like Olive?"

The old lady smiled. His heart clenched. He hadn't considered that before. Their acquaintance was brief.

"No," Elvis replied immediately.

The old lady observed his conflicted expression. He hadn't acknowledged his feelings.

"I was just asking," she said. "Elvis, such a nice girl won't lack suitors. If you like Olive, hurry, or she'll be taken." She mentioned Olive's popularity as Watson's beauty queen, which had increased recently.

A suffocating feeling gripped Elvis. He stood abruptly. "Grandma, I'll go upstairs."

He showered, went to bed, but couldn't sleep. He texted Raven: "Can you sleep when North Paulo goes out?"

Raven replied: "She doesn't need to socialize, it's just me."

Elvis felt a surge of irritation. He clarified: "I mean, if she went to karaoke or a bar."

Raven responded: "I'd be tossing and turning, worried her skirt was too short, worried someone would bother her, worried she'd be taken advantage of, and then wouldn't come home."

Relief washed over Elvis. "So you think so too."

Raven: "So you really think so."

Elvis felt the need to retract his earlier sentiment. He sent a final text, threw his phone on the bed, and closed his eyes. Choosing Raven had been a mistake. He remained restless.

He threw off the covers, changed clothes, grabbed his phone, left The Red Villa, and drove away.

At the bar, Olive was enjoying a celebratory dinner with colleagues, hosted by Mr. Harris. Checking the time, she noticed it was past eight and said her goodbyes.

Alicia called out, "Olive, you forgot your coat! It's cold."

"Thank you, Alicia."

Alicia, slightly intoxicated, confessed, "Olive, I feel different since meeting you."

Olive smiled, "Alicia, you're tipsy."

Alicia grabbed Olive's arm. "Olive, you're remarkable. What are your goals?"

Olive considered. "I want to attend the Academy of Sciences."

"The Science Academy?" Alicia asked, surprised.

"Yes," Olive confirmed. "They accept students from major universities. Let's work hard and get in together."

"Okay!"

Unbeknownst to them, Crystal overheard. She smirked, went to a corner, and made a call.

A warm voice answered, "Crystal, why so late?"

"Mr. Paulo, I had an idea. Imperial universities are having entrance exams. Afterward, the science academy selects students, right?"

"Right."

"Usually, they give every university a chance, but this year should be different. Universities outside the top five, especially Watson, should be excluded."

"Understood. Any university not in the top five will be disqualified. I'll inform my subordinates."

Crystal sighed in relief. Olive’s ambition had just been jeopardized. The Robert, Augustine, Wilson, and Paulo families were Imperial's elite. Mr. Paulo's influence within the Academy was significant, and a single call could effectively block Olive's application.

Olive waved goodbye to Alicia and stepped outside. As she hailed a taxi, a silver-grey Maybach pulled up. Marvin Augustine stepped out.

His gaze fell upon her. He approached and embraced her. "Olive, I finally found you."