Chapter 22: A Woman Answered His Phone

Derrick paused, a frown furrowing his brow. As one of Los Angeles's four most powerful men, he knew of the Augustine family, but his knowledge was no more extensive than anyone else's. The Augustine family's young master, Elvis, was notoriously elusive and mysterious. Coconut Island, the city's most opulent estate, was home only to those of significant wealth; Derrick had heard its owner was also an Augustine.

Gabriella noticed the shift in Derrick's mood and pressed on. "Derrick," she said, "remember when Olive was here? She slept with a man in the cave one night. How old was she then?"

Derrick drained his glass, then roughly pushed Gabriella onto the bed. His action was violent; her head struck the bedside cabinet, her eyes reddening with tears. He pinned her, his gaze fixed on her weeping eyes. Gabriella was terrified; every mention of Olive with another man sent him into a frightening rage. Yet, she loved him, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, whispering, "Derrick, I love you. You're my only man. My virginity is for you."

Derrick's face hardened. Olive had betrayed him; she was a worthless woman.

Chapter 32: A Woman Answered His Phone

He wanted to forget her. Derrick pulled at Gabriella's pajamas. "I want to be with you forever," Gabriella murmured happily, hugging him. Derrick closed his eyes, Olive's face flashing in his mind. He remembered Olive's mother taking her to the Domino family home, asking, "Derrick, would you like to marry Olive in the future?" He'd been too shy to answer, retreating to his room. He still recalled Olive's soft intelligence as a child. He buried his face in Gabriella's hair, whispering, "Olive." A chill washed over Gabriella, extinguishing her passion and fantasies.

After Gabriella fell asleep, Derrick leaned over the table, lighting a cigarette. As it burned down, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number. Olive's voice, beautiful and clear, answered, "Hello."

"It's me," Derrick mumbled, his voice thick with smoke.

Olive was silent for a few seconds. "What do you want?"

Chapter 12: A Woman Answered His Phone

"Come to room 207 tomorrow night. I'll be waiting."

"Derrick, are you insane?"

Derrick licked his lips. "Since other men can have you, why can't I?"

Olive wanted to end the call and block his number, but Derrick anticipated this. "Olive," he said, "haven't you been investigating your mother's death?"

Olive froze. She'd returned to heal her grandfather and uncover the truth about her mother's death. Officially, her mother had died of an illness, but she'd been healthy. Olive suspected foul play, but every lead had vanished; her mother's life seemed deliberately erased. She sensed a vast conspiracy. Ten years ago, following her mother's death and her grandfather's coma, everyone who'd loved her had abandoned her, their lives seemingly irrevocably altered.

Olive tightened her grip on the phone. "What's your game?"

"I assume you're still clueless. I am too, but I know a reliable source you'll be interested in: Aunt Rebecca."

Olive's eyes widened. Aunt Rebecca, her mother's maid, had disappeared from the city after her mother's death.

"Olive, tomorrow night, room 207," Derrick said before hanging up.

Chapter 12: A Woman Answered His Phone

Olive put down her phone. She wanted to meet Aunt Rebecca, but did she really want to see Derrick? He wasn't someone to trifle with, unlike President Ronald; he would easily see through her. She remembered Elvis's words: "If you can't solve something, call me." Should she call him?

She dialed Elvis's number. The wait was agonizing. She realized her recklessness. What if he was working?

The call connected. "Hello," she said quickly.

"Hello, who is this?" A sweet female voice responded.

A woman answered Elvis's phone. Olive's mind reeled.

"Hello, would you like to speak to Boss Elvis? He's showering, it's not convenient…"

Olive abruptly ended the call.