Chapter 385: The Whip Hit Him

Olive looked at Alpha with shining eyes, asking, “Mr. Augustine, what do you want to tell me?”

Alpha remained impassive, saying, “I told you in Los Angeles that I didn't want you caught in the middle of their brotherhood, because sooner or later they'd turn on each other because of you. Now, am I right?”

“Mr. Augustine, don’t you want to show me your predictive abilities, or have you decided to become a fortune teller?” Olive countered.

Alpha smiled. “What are you thinking now? My two sons are both captivated by you; which one do you choose?”

“Mr. Augustine, Imperial is in chaos. You don't want me to disappear quietly, yet you make me choose between your sons? I'm pleased, of course, but also terrified. I don't understand your intentions.” Olive gazed at the unpredictable Alpha. Since her identity as Joyce Brown's daughter was revealed, Alpha had become exceedingly strange. She couldn't fathom his motives.

Alpha curled his thin lips. “Don’t be afraid; you’re safe until I find Anabelle.” He had made his purpose clear: he wanted Anabelle.

Olive tilted her head. “Mr. Augustine, you mean Anabelle didn't die, but...was taken away by my mother, right?”

Alpha admired Olive's intelligence and delicate nature. The situation had been a stalemate, and this girl held the key. He sensed she was on the verge of a breakthrough. Seeing Alpha remained silent, Olive continued to guess, “It seems I'm right. My mother took Anabelle. You've been searching for her for years, but she vanished without a trace.”

This time, Alpha nodded. “Your mother disappeared at the end of the world.”

Olive's heart pounded. What did that mean? Alpha explained, “Your mother isn't from here. She's from a mystical country. Miss Hart, will you disappear like your mother one day?”

Olive's eyelashes trembled. The revelation was overwhelming. Her mother came from a mysterious country? Which one? Alpha, a shrewd manipulator of Imperial politics, knew too much. Olive desperately wanted information from him. She was about to speak when a deep, magnetic voice reached her ear, “Why will she disappear?”

Someone was approaching. Olive turned to see a tall, handsome figure—Elvis had returned. He wore a black overcoat, looking imposing and handsome, immediately capturing everyone’s attention. A maid greeted him respectfully. He handed her his briefcase, removed his black leather gloves, and entered the living room, his gaze fixing intently on Alpha. He repeated the question: “Why will she disappear?”

Alpha replied, “She’s not from here, like her mother. Sooner or later, she’ll disappear at the end of the world. To be precise, she’s not disappearing, but going home.”

“Going home?” Olive stood abruptly, staring at Alpha in surprise. “You mean, my mother’s home?”

Alpha nodded. “Yes, so you must find your way home.”

Olive felt a surge of elation. She’d always believed her mother was gone, but now she knew her mother had returned home, to that mysterious country. That country, lost at the end of the world, was a place no one knew how to reach. If she could find her way home, she could reunite with her mother and Anabelle. Hope surged through her.

Elvis then intervened, grabbing her wrist and turning her to face him. “Are you going home?”

Olive wanted to nod. Of course, she wanted to go home!

Elvis's lips tightened. “Don’t go home!”

Olive was incredulous. “Let go of me!” She pulled away, adding, “I’ll go see Marvin.” She hurried upstairs. Elvis watched her go, his brow furrowed.

In his office, Lily trembled with rage. Earlier, with Alpha present, she hadn't dared speak her mind, fearing it would displease him. After Marvin's previous confrontation with Alpha over Olive, she feared a rift between father and son. Now, alone with Marvin, she glared at him with red eyes.

“Marvin, how could you ruin your reputation? You cheated and got a new girlfriend—it's all over the news!”

“I’ve placed all my hopes on you these past years. You dislike fighting, robbing, business… I wouldn't stop you, but this… this is too far. You've smeared yourself for Olive’s sake!”

“Marvin, you must issue a statement immediately!”

Marvin shook his head. “Mom, I said it downstairs. First, I'm breaking off my engagement with Olive. Second, I cheated and got a new girlfriend!”

Lily froze, pointing at him. “You…”

“Mother raised and cared for you, and this is your reward? I didn’t raise you for Olive to take advantage of you. Rather than let her ruin you, I'd rather kill you first!”

Enraged, Lily found a whip and lashed out at Marvin. He didn't dodge. The whip struck him, drawing blood across his white shirt. Lily continued to whip him repeatedly.