Chapter 20: A Photo in a Swimsuit

Ten years ago, Olive and Derrick were inseparable; everyone knew Olive had been betrothed to him.

“It’s ridiculous to see someone treat my discarded toy as a treasure,” Olive muttered, walking past them. “But I still wish you both well; you deserve each other.”

Olive's comparison of Derrick to discarded trash froze Gabriella's smile. She felt uncertain whether to be proud or ashamed.

Derrick, though stung by Olive's words, feigned indifference. He pulled Gabriella close, acting coy.

"Isn't Olive pathetic? No car to pick her up," Gabriella suggested. "Should we give her a lift?"

"Hey! Get in the car, I'll drop you off!" Derrick called, catching up to Olive.

"No, thank you," Olive replied, stopping.

Feeling like a princess, Gabriella turned to her father. "Dad, I offered Olive a ride, but she refused."

Patrick, especially since Gabriella's fiancé hailed from the affluent Domino family, treated her like royalty.

"Olive, get in the car! Don't waste Derrick and Gabriella's time!" Patrick said calmly.

"Olive, this is the Royal Star Hotel. You won't find a taxi here. Go with Derrick and Gabriella," Monica added, preening.

Olive smiled at their callous disregard. Glancing at Gabriella, she said, "While I can't afford a fifty-thousand-dollar check, I can find my own way."

Gabriella's expression changed. She knew Derrick and her parents would be furious if they learned she'd offered a man fifty thousand dollars to win him over.

She admitted to herself that she'd been captivated by Olive's gigolo, but she'd coveted Derrick since childhood, dreaming of marrying him and becoming wealthy. Derrick Domino was her ultimate goal.

Gabriella tugged Derrick's hand. "Let's go." She knew better than to antagonize Olive, who held her secrets.

The Royal Star Hotel manager approached. "Excuse me, who is Miss Hart?"

His arrival shocked everyone. The Royal Star Hotel, owned by the notoriously private and wealthy Augustine family of Los Angeles, was known for its discretion.

"Manager, this is Miss Hart," Monica quickly said, pulling Gabriella forward.

"Yes, this is Miss Hart. Is there something you need?" Patrick added, all eyes on the manager.

The manager greeted Derrick politely. "Good evening, Sir Derrick."

Calm and composed, the manager focused on Gabriella. "Excuse me, miss, are you Miss Hart?"

Gabriella, considering the price that had brought the manager, glanced proudly at Olive, smoothed her dress, and said sweetly, "Hello, manager. I'm Gabriella Hart."

"Gabriella Hart?" The manager shook his head. "I'm sorry, I'm looking for Olive Hart."

The sudden shift in attention left everyone breathless. Olive herself was surprised.

"Manager, are you mistaken? This is Gabriella Hart. Why are you looking for Olive?" Monica interjected.

Ignoring her, the manager approached Olive. His politeness deepened. "Are you Miss Olive Hart?"

"Hello, sir. I am Olive Hart. Are you looking for me?"

The manager smiled. "Miss Olive, since a taxi isn't convenient, we've provided a car."

A Rolls-Royce Phantom sped toward them. The manager opened the rear door respectfully. "Miss Olive, please..."

The sight of the world's most luxurious car arriving for Olive stunned them all.

Olive eyed the manager suspiciously, but his sweet smile reassured her somewhat. "Mrs. Hart, don't worry, you'll be taken to the Red Villa."

Olive, somewhat convinced, entered the car, which sped away. The manager waited until it disappeared before returning to his post.

Gabriella stopped him hastily. "Manager, what's going on?"

"I'm sorry, this is our CEO's personal matter. I can't say." He returned inside.

The stunned onlookers reacted with disbelief. "Patrick, Olive just returned from the orphanage. How does she know the Augustine CEO?" Monica sneered.

"First a gigolo, now the CEO? Her seduction skills are impressive. She takes after her mother," she continued. A slap landed across her face.

The unexpected blow stunned Monica. Patrick, his face clouded with anger, gritted his teeth. "Why don't you look at yourself first? Do you deserve to judge others?"

Monica was speechless; even Gabriella was startled by her father's reaction. Derrick watched them indifferently, his gaze fixed on the direction Olive had gone.

The Rolls-Royce delivered Olive to the Red Villa. She updated North on the events.

"The Augustine corporation CEO drove you home?" North asked incredulously.

"Something like that," Olive replied, removing her shoes.

"How many new lovers do you have?" North asked.

Olive, pondering her connection to the Augustine CEO, suddenly remembered something she’d ignored. Augustine! Elvis was an Augustine!

North, likely shocked, didn't reply immediately. Two minutes later, she messaged: 'Send me the picture from the hot springs, the one in your swimsuit.'

Why?

Despite her doubts, Olive opened her phone gallery and forwarded the picture. Seconds later, realizing she hadn't received a reply, she checked and found she'd sent it to Elvis!