Chapter 24: Caught

The man she'd saved—Olive recalled being twelve years old, rescuing an unconscious man from a snowdrift. She was certain he would have died had she hesitated. The road was snowbound, dusk approaching, the temperature brutally cold, his body shivering. She'd taken him to a nearby cave, built a fire to warm him, but he remained dangerously cold. Olive removed her own clothes and hugged him tightly, using her body heat to save him. That's how he'd survived.

Reflecting now, she'd been only twelve, driven solely by the impulse to save a life. Yet, others perceived it differently. North was right; Gabriella and Derrick were despicable.

Olive replied, "Eight years have passed. I don't remember the man. Even if he stood before me, I probably wouldn't recognize him. But when he awoke, he gave me a diamond pendant. He said he'd come back for me."

"What about the pendant?" North asked.

"Uh, I… lost it."

North sent a perplexed emoji. "Haven't you read any romance novels? The cliché dictates the man you saved must be a prince or something."

Olive truly didn't know what had become of the pendant. She remembered locking it in her dresser drawer, but it was gone when she checked again.

North messaged Olive: Derrick's phone had been tracked. The call he made led to a cottage on the outskirts of LA, with Aunt Rebecca inside.

Olive studied the address. She'd already planned to meet Derrick, using herself as bait. He'd hidden Aunt Rebecca in a suburban cottage. Excellent. She had the location.

Olive sent a kiss emoji and ended the chat. Nightfall provided ideal cover. She wanted to find Aunt Rebecca immediately. Addressing Gabriella's slander would come later; rescuing Aunt Rebecca was the priority.

As Olive prepared to leave, her phone rang. "Mr. Augustine." It was Elvis. The phone rang three times; Olive didn't answer. A message arrived: "Fallen asleep?"

Olive stared at the screen, recognizing his characteristic brevity. She scrolled through their previous conversations, realizing she'd grown fond of his companionship. Now, recovered, she needed to erect a barrier, to protect herself from further hurt.

She didn't reply, placing her phone in her bag and heading to the suburban cottage.

Chapter 21: Caught

Elvis had returned to Los Angeles. Harry and Raven picked him up at the airport.

In the limousine, Elvis stared at his phone, awaiting a reply that didn't come. His brow furrowed.

Harry chuckled, "Bro, why the overnight flight back two days early? And there's some beauty embedded in your phone. I've been watching you."

Elvis remained focused on his phone, ignoring Harry.

Raven smiled, "Elvis doesn't have time for more beauties. That'd be adultery, right?"

Elvis kicked Raven.

"Ouch!" Raven muttered, laughing.

Elvis called Red Villa. Uncle Henry, the housekeeper, answered. "Where's Olive? Asleep?"

Raven brushed dust from his trousers, the residue of Elvis's shoe. "You don't want to admit you're falling for her."

"Young master, Ma'am Olive just left," Uncle Henry replied.

"Okay." Elvis hung up.

Harry exploded, "Damn! What's with your lady? Bro, it's eight o'clock! You just arrived from a business trip. Shouldn't she be bathed, in a sexy dress, awaiting you? Bro, is she cheating?"

Elvis glared at Harry, silencing him. He turned to Andrew, his driver and secretary, "Find out where Olive is."

"Yes, President," Andrew replied respectfully.

Olive reached the cottage, noting the strong scent of medicine as she entered. Aunt Rebecca was unwell, evidently treated by Derrick. Seeing Aunt Rebecca lying in bed, Olive was struck by how much she'd aged.

"Aunt Rebecca," Olive said, gently shaking her. "Aunt Rebecca, open your eyes, it's me."

Aunt Rebecca's eyes fluttered open. Seeing Olive, her sick eyes lit up. "Miss, it's really you! Sir Derrick didn't lie. He brought me to you."

Tears streamed down Aunt Rebecca's face as she gazed at Olive. "Little Miss, you've grown up."

The excitement caused a violent cough; Aunt Rebecca spat blood. Olive checked her pulse; her body was severely depleted.

"Aunt Rebecca, don't speak. We need to get you to a hospital. I'll get you out of here."

Olive supported Aunt Rebecca as they headed for the door. Lights shone brightly outside; Derrick walked in.