Chapter 527

Have these shoes been worn by other men? A melodious ringtone interrupted the tense silence; it was the second-generation rich man's phone. He quickly answered, and his father's furious voice erupted, “You bastard! You offended a big shot! Augustine Corporation's secretary, Andrew, just called. They've acquired our company, Elvis fired me, and I have to leave immediately.”

“Someone also audited our accounts. There's a problem, an investigation team's on its way, and they want to arrest me!”

“You idiot! Do you dare offend Elvis? He's the king! One stomp of his foot and the sky falls. It's all over. Our company is gone, our family is ruined, we're finished!”

With a “crack,” the phone fell to the ground. His father's words— “Our company is gone, our family is ruined, we're finished”—echoed in his ears, a terrifying curse that petrified him. He could scarcely believe… that he might die at the hands of this man, Elvis.

“Mr… Mr. Augustine, it’s all my fault. Please forgive me. I’m so sorry…” The second-generation rich man’s legs gave way, and he knelt before Elvis, tears streaming down his face, begging for mercy.

Elvis ignored him, his narrow, deep eyes fixed on Olive's beautiful face. She had spoken at length, yet hadn't revealed who her man was! His gaze darkened. He pulled Olive toward the car, his large stride leaving her stumbling behind. He easily held Lil' Nathan in one arm and her in the other, a picture of a close family. Only Olive sensed his simmering anger; his grip on her hand was so tight it turned red. He bundled them into the back of the Rolls-Royce Phantom, then drove away.

Inside the Rolls-Royce Phantom, a strange silence settled over the luxurious interior. Olive broke it first, “Mr. Augustine, please let me off. We'll go our separate ways. I'll take a taxi home, and you can take Nathan.”

Nathan quickly clutched her shirt, whispering, “Teacher, we made plans. I'm having dinner at your place tonight.” He glanced at his father. “Dad, take me and Teacher home, then you can go.”

Elvis glanced in the rearview mirror, frowning at Nathan's pleading. His displeased gaze then settled on Olive. She hadn’t known Elvis was returning, so she'd agreed to Nathan’s dinner invitation, promising to cook for him. Now… Olive looked at Lil’ Nathan, his small hands clutching her shirt, his hopeful gaze fixed on her, afraid she’d leave him.

Olive straightened, saying, “President Augustine, Nathan and I have a prior arrangement. I’ll take Nathan to my place for dinner, then bring him to your house afterward. What do you think?” For Nathan’s sake, she spoke softly, humbly negotiating.

Elvis pursed his lips, then said, “Your address.”

Olive and Nathan’s eyes lit up. He agreed! Soon, the Rolls-Royce Phantom was parked outside her apartment building—the one she'd lived in three years ago, not the one she shared with North.

The car stopped. Olive opened the door and picked up Lil' Nathan. Politely, she waved to Elvis, “President Augustine, goodbye.” She then entered the apartment with Nathan.

In the elevator, Lil' Nathan looked up at Olive with large, dark eyes. “Fairy, are you afraid of my dad?”

Olive’s heart skipped a beat. Had she been that obvious? Her past with Elvis, his current entanglements… she didn't want Lil' Nathan to know yet. He was too young to understand the complexities of the adult world; the priority was to get Nathan talking first.

“Nathan, your dad seems like a very noble and distinguished man, so I… respect him.” She carefully chose her words.

Relieved that his teacher didn't dislike his father, Nathan relaxed. After comforting him, they reached the apartment door. Olive unlocked it, Nathan entered, and she was about to close the door when a large hand touched the panel.

Who? Olive’s eyes narrowed in wariness. She turned to see Elvis’s tall, handsome form. Elvis! Her tension eased, but confusion replaced it. Why was he here?

Elvis pushed open the door and strode in. “President Augustine, why… are you here?” Olive asked.

Elvis, hand in pocket, looked down at her. “My son is here, of course I'll come. I'd be worried otherwise.”

Olive couldn't argue with that logic. She fetched slippers, telling Nathan, “Go play in the living room for a while.” She then took out a pair of dark green slippers and placed them at Elvis's feet. She knelt to change his shoes, the movement as natural as if they’d done this countless times three years ago.

Elvis watched her, his thin lips pursed. “Are these slippers new? Have other men worn them? I prefer things clean, and I don’t want to wear other men’s shoes.”

Olive froze, realizing her impulsive action. She quickly stood, “President Augustine, would you like to wear them?” She then left him and went into the kitchen.