Chapter 561

Olive shuddered. Three years ago, she'd seen Clara pursuing Elvis relentlessly. Were they together now? Olive watched as Clara, a woman of considerable presence, approached. Straightening her own slender back, Olive’s bright eyes met Clara’s pretty face. She observed as Clara linked her arm through Elvis's. "Olive," Clara called affectionately, as if to a sister. "Big brother, let me introduce you. This is Elvis, the richest man…"

Elvis stood before Liam and Olive. His deep, narrow eyes flickered over Olive, then rested on Liam's handsome face. "Hello, Mr. Augustine," Liam offered his hand. The two men shook hands, initially a simple gesture. But Liam soon sensed something amiss; Elvis’s fingers subtly resisted, a silent contest of wills. Stunned, Liam, unfamiliar with Elvis, found the sudden hostility baffling. He narrowed his eyes, sensing a subtle tension between Elvis and Olive, a story yet untold. He tried to withdraw his hand, but Elvis held fast.

Clara intervened, calling out to Elvis. He released Liam's hand. "Mr. Augustine," she said, smiling, "Liam and Olive seem perfectly suited. I also heard Olive wants to bring the wedding forward."

The corner of Elvis’s mouth tightened at Clara’s words. His gaze locked on Olive. She couldn't wait to marry Liam? He'd assumed she'd spent the last three years with Derrick Domino—they had children, after all—but she wanted to marry Liam. A sarcastic curve touched his lips. He looked at Olive, saying, "Princess of Visionary, you seem familiar. You remind me of someone."

Olive remained silent, anticipating his next words, sensing it wouldn't be pleasant. Clara again addressed Elvis tenderly. Olive was taken aback by the affection in Clara’s voice. "Oh, really? Do you two know each other?" Clara asked, intrigued. Elvis shook his head. "I must have mistaken her. The woman I was thinking of was beautiful, attracted many men, and had a child. I doubt the Princess of Visionary fits that description."

Chapter 61: As Long As She's Prettier Than You

Elvis turned to Liam, smiling. "Mr. Liam must have investigated his fiancée's background. A woman who bore another man's child is, undeniably, another man's property."

Liam’s eyebrows furrowed at Elvis's words, but he remained silent. Olive, clenching her fingers, hadn't expected such bitterness and malice. Silence hung between Olive and Liam. Clara gasped, covering her mouth. Then, playfully, she looked at Olive. "Olive, you're definitely not the woman Elvis described, right?"

Olive pursed her lips, looking directly at Clara. "Boss Augustine's remark reminds me of someone. Princess Clara, I suddenly feel you fit the description." Clara stiffened.

"No offense, Princess Clara," Olive continued, "but you really do fit the description. I hope I'm wrong, but it seems you desperately want to be someone else, so much so you no longer recognize your own qualities."

Clara's face flushed crimson. For three years, she had imitated Olive to win Elvis’s heart. The atmosphere grew heavy. A melodious piano filled the hall, signaling the start of the dance. Liam bowed to Olive. "Princess Olive, may I have this dance?" "Of course," she replied, taking his hand as they moved onto the dance floor. Their first dance, at a party planned for them, unfolded under the bright lights.

Elvis watched them, his thin lips curled into a cold sneer. If looks could kill, Liam and Olive would be dead a thousand times over.

"Mr. Augustine," Clara murmured, aggrieved, "Does Olive dislike me? I'm so sad. She's older than me. I truly consider her a sister." Clara pointedly emphasized their age difference; she knew men preferred younger women.

Elvis didn't look at her. "It's fine," he said indifferently, "as long as she's prettier than you."

Clara stared, shocked. Elvis turned to leave, glancing back at her before disappearing. "Shadows will always be shadows," he said. "You're nothing but a fake."