Chapter 452: Elvis and Crystal's Big Wedding

Mrs. Samantha sighed, then looked at Olive, already fast asleep on the bed. Her voice, filled with pain and affection, carried a warning: “Elvis, Olive’s spirit is pure and strong. She won't tolerate betrayal. Keeping this secret from her is a dangerous game. Once she discovers your marriage to Crystal, she will leave you. Your relationship will end.”

After Mrs. Samantha left, Elvis sat on the bed's edge, gazing at the sleeping girl. He bent his head and kissed her forehead, his inner insecurity palpable. He knew Olive wouldn't tolerate infidelity; she'd already warned him as much. He whispered, "Olive, don't leave me. I won't let you leave me."

The next morning, Elvis was gone. Olive awoke to his absence. While showering, she noticed more hair loss. She considered cutting her long hair, but hesitated; Mr. Augustine cherished its length. Suddenly, a sharp pain in her cheek caused her to drop her cup. Looking in the mirror, she saw her pale face, slick with cold sweat. Her skin looked ravaged, as though scratched repeatedly. Then, she noticed countless wrinkles at the corners of her eyes—impossible for a twenty-year-old. She recognized the signs of "The Old Lady"—a debilitating condition—taking hold. Another such attack, she knew, would leave her face deeply lined.

Olive quickly composed herself. Exhausted by her time with Mr. Augustine, she decided she needed to leave, to find a way to heal. She carefully combed her hair to conceal the wrinkles, then went downstairs.

In the living room, her grandmother intercepted her. "Olive, where are you going?"

"Grandma, I want to go out," Olive replied.

"Olive, you can't go out right now."

"Why not?" Olive was stunned.

"You don't know yet, Olive. Crystal isn't Damien's daughter; she's Logan Theodore's daughter, the King of Greenland's eldest princess. He's in the Imperial City now—a dangerous man. He's likely after you. For your safety, you must stay here."

Olive's lashes fluttered. Crystal's true identity—the Greenland princess—shocked her. Greenland. Logan Theodore. The world felt drastically altered since she'd been secluded at the Red Villa. She sensed another storm brewing, one directly aimed at her. Something felt amiss.

Olive smiled. "Grandma, it's alright. I'll be careful. If Logan Theodore wants revenge, I’ll face him."

She started to leave, but her grandmother blocked her path. Looking out the French window, Olive saw numerous black-clad bodyguards surrounding the villa. A chilling realization dawned on her: were they protecting her, or confining her? Something was wrong; the day felt unnervingly strange.

Maintaining her composure, she asked, "Grandma, what's wrong?"

Her grandmother, seeing the clear, insightful gaze of her granddaughter, knew her deception wouldn't hold. But she had to try. Clutching her chest, she feigned distress. "Olive, my heart hurts! Help me back to my room."

Olive complied, her expression unchanged. That evening, Olive found all network signals blocked. She tried calling North, but got no answer. A growing sense of unease settled over her; it felt like Elvis was hiding something. Then, his call came.

"Hello, Mr. Augustine," Olive answered.

"Olive, what are you doing?" Elvis’s voice was warm and seductive.

"Grandma isn't feeling well; I've been with her. Why is the network down?"

"There's a problem, it's being fixed. Grandma told you about Logan Theodore, didn't she? Don't go out."

"Okay, Mr. Augustine. When are you coming back?"

"I'm busy. I won't be back tonight. Sleep well."

Olive said "Okay" and hung up. Three days passed with Olive quietly staying with her grandmother. Her unusual silence unnerved everyone. On the fourth day, with her grandmother and Betty asleep, Olive used the landline to call North.

North's voice, filled with alarm, answered, "Olive! What are you doing? I couldn't reach you! Elvis and Crystal are getting married tonight!"