Chapter 416
Returning to Elvis’s bedroom, Mr. Paulo was preoccupied with Joyce, her descendants, and the blood of immortality, but also obsessed with the elixir of life. He desperately wanted to live forever. Initially, he'd intended to forbid Jean from handing over the recipe, but the necrotic poison Olive had the researchers procure from Houston proved too potent. Mr. Paulo, growing old and increasingly terrified of death, sought help, but Jean refused him. Mr. Paulo’s cloudy eyes fixed on Jean’s handsome face. Olive had called Jean a lunatic, a monster; now Mr. Paulo agreed.
Olive looked at Jean again. “Young Master Paulo, do you wish to reconsider? Your grandfather clearly wants to live. He cherishes this world, its power, status, fame—his obsession with immortality. Yet you’re forcing him to die.” Jean met Olive’s gaze. She understood his grandfather’s fear better than anyone. The escalating conflict, the rising tension, boiled Jean’s blood. He wouldn't yield to Olive, even if it meant sacrificing his grandfather. He wouldn’t hesitate.
“Young Master Paulo, further deliberation seems unnecessary,” Olive stated. Turning to Mr. Paulo, she added, “Take care of yourself. Charlotte, you must be wary as well. Nora is imprisoned, Mr. Paulo is… gone, and you are next.” Charlotte trembled, collapsing onto the carpet. She tried to rise, but her legs gave way. Seeing Jean as a cruel devil dragging her into an abyss, she crawled to hide behind Mr. Paulo. Jean offered assistance, but Charlotte pushed him away. “No! Don’t touch me!” His hand froze. Charlotte’s trembling body recoiled from him like a snake. Jean composed himself, taking out his phone. “Grandpa, I’ll send someone to take you to the hospital.” “No need!” Mr. Paulo gritted his teeth, his voice strained. Mr. Paulo’s men arrived, carrying him away on a stretcher. Charlotte, unwilling to remain, followed.
Jean stood alone, his face grim and silent. Olive addressed him. “Jean, all you have left are your potions. Having abandoned them, they’ve abandoned you. Congratulations, you’re homeless.” Jean grudgingly admired Olive. She’d masterfully turned the tide, eliminating every single person who had wronged her. The Paulo family, once so powerful, was now shattered by her actions. Years ago, Joyce Brown had nearly destroyed the family; years later, her daughter Olive had finished the job, using ruthless, potent means to dismantle them overnight.
Jean’s dark blue eyes fell upon Olive’s small face. He curled his lips. “Compared to my homelessness, I anticipate your old age arriving in the blink of an eye. I’ll wait and see how long you can endure.” He strode away. As the family departed, Olive’s eyelids fluttered closed, her body collapsing. A strong arm caught her, pulling her into a warm embrace. Before darkness fell, she saw a familiar face: Elvis.
She awoke in a large, soft bed, gazing at a crystal chandelier beneath a luxurious curved ceiling. Disoriented, she remembered collapsing at the research facility. The door opened, and Mrs. Samantha rushed in. “Olive, you’re awake! Why are you getting up? Lie down and rest.” Olive looked at her grandmother in surprise. “Grandma, why are you here? Where am I?”
“Olive, you’re at The Red Villa. This is Elvis’s bedroom. Elvis brought you home,” Mrs. Samantha explained. Olive was stunned to be in Elvis’s bedroom. Mrs. Samantha took her hand. “Olive, you’ve worked hard. Rest. Even female boxers need to rest. Let’s focus on your health.” Betty entered, carrying peach bird’s nest. “Yes, Olive, we missed you so much. Please stay and recuperate.”
A wave of warmth washed over Olive. The long-absent comfort relaxed her tense nerves, making her feel like she was finally home. Exhaustion overwhelmed her. She hugged Mrs. Samantha, her face pressed against hers. “Thank you, Grandma, you love me the most.” Mrs. Samantha smiled, stroking Olive’s hair. “Olive, eat the bird’s nest. Open your mouth.” Olive obeyed, and then, a click. The door opened, and Elvis entered, handsome and noble in his black suit.