Chapter 388: Olive and Her Man
Olive was stunned. She was in and out of the pharmacy in two minutes, and a shelf full of birth control pills was sold out? No more birth control pills! Olive looked at the clerk. “Hello, is the pill sold out?” The employee nodded. “Yes, all sold out.” “Then I’ll go to another pharmacy,” Olive said, turning to leave.
“Miss,” the clerk stopped her, “you don’t need to. All pharmacies are sold out; you can’t find birth control pills anywhere in Imperial.”
What? Olive jumped, confused. What day was it? Valentine’s Day? International Day of Love? Why was everyone rushing to buy birth control pills?
In his luxury Rolls Royce Phantom, Elvis watched Olive leave through the window. Her head hung low, seemingly saddened by her inability to get the medicine. Elvis’s lips curved into a slight smile. He then sent two photos to Peterson, his media liaison.
On the way home, Olive felt her right eyelid twitching incessantly. She felt someone was plotting against her.
The next morning, a knock interrupted Olive’s sleep. “Knock, knock.” “Come in.” Mia burst in, holding an entertainment tabloid. “Olive, you’re trending again!”
“What?” Olive sat up, grabbing the paper. The headline screamed, “Olive Buys Birth Control Late at Night—Who is She Dating?” A clear picture of Olive leaving the pharmacy, clutching a contraceptive pill, was prominently displayed.
Olive’s eyes widened. How was this picture leaked? She had been careful. No paparazzi should have gotten a shot. This was a disaster! Who wanted to destroy her?
The online reaction was explosive. Netizens, transforming into armchair detectives, speculated wildly about Olive’s mysterious man. Elvis and Marvin’s fans clashed, their comments a chaotic mix of accusations and defenses. One comment, quickly rising to the top, cynically labeled Olive a promiscuous temptress.
Olive tossed the tabloid aside, lying on her bed, overwhelmed. How could buying birth control pills lead to this? She messaged North, her entertainment industry contact, asking for help identifying the source of the leak. North quickly replied, confirming she would investigate.
Mia chimed in, “Olive, I told you, you’re a trendsetter! Internet trolls are just jealous. Ignore them; forge your own path.”
Olive sighed. Just then, her phone rang. It was Lily, her voice furious. “Olive, are you trying to ruin my Marvin? Why is he paying the price for your scandal?”
“Mrs. Augustine, what about Marvin?” Olive asked, frowning.
“The birth control story broke, and Marvin is besieged by reporters. He can’t move! If you have any conscience, come explain this. It’s obviously you and Elvis! My Marvin is innocent—don’t drag him down!”
Olive hung up, springing from the bed. “Mom, I’m going out.”
She raced to Augustine’s house, finding it surrounded by reporters. Marvin was trapped in the middle, pale and besieged. Reporters thrust microphones at him, their questions harsh.
“Second Young Master Augustine, who was with Olive?”
“Was it you, or your brother Elvis?”
Marvin’s lips were pressed tight, his fists clenched. Olive couldn’t bear to watch. She knew Marvin’s feelings for her, and this public revelation was a cruel blow.
Olive stepped forward, her voice clear. “That man is not Marvin. Please stop interviewing him!”
All eyes turned to Olive. The reporters abandoned Marvin and swarmed her.
Olive looked at Marvin and spoke gently. “Marvin and I dated, but we realized we weren’t compatible and ended the engagement. My affairs have nothing to do with him. He knew nothing of this. Please leave him alone. He’s a doctor; his time is precious.”
She remained apart from Marvin, choosing to shield him from the scandal. It was the best distance, she believed. Marvin understood. He looked at her, his gaze filled with admiration for her clear-sightedness and courage.
A reporter shouted, “Olive, if not Marvin, then who?”
A deep, masculine voice responded, “It’s fine.”