Chapter 68: Awakening

The girl should have possessed Olive's dazzling intelligence, her endearing stubbornness, and her pride. Before meeting Olive, Elvis hadn't considered what the girl should look like. But now, with Olive in his life, he longed for the girl to have Olive's personality.

Elvis lay on Olive's pillow, the lingering scent of her perfume surrounding him; he felt as though she were hugging him. He raised his right hand, covering his eyes, her beautiful face filling his mind. He quickly rose and went to the bathroom to shower.

Olive's phone beeped. A message from Elvis: "Missing you."

Another arrived: "I didn't know I could be tortured like this. You're driving me crazy, Olive."

Her heart softened. Another message popped up: "I was wrong. I'm sorry. Can I pick you up tomorrow?"

Olive hesitated to reply. North, her face masked by a white facial treatment, approached.

"Olive, no matter what he says, you're not to return to him. Let him be."

"Oh," Olive murmured, quickly dropping her phone.

"Olive, you mustn't involve yourself. Pamela saved his life; he has a third wish yet to fulfill. You must allow Mr. Augustine to settle his debts himself. Don't get involved, understand?"

Olive nodded. "I just miss Grandma, even though she said I could return anytime."

North sat before the mirror. "The old lady really likes you."

Elvis, without waiting for Olive's reply, knew another sleepless night awaited him unless he acted. Mrs. Samantha entered with a glass of water.

"Elvis, here, drink some water."

Elvis glared resentfully at his grandmother. "Grandma, I want to bring Olive home. I'm certain if you came with me, she'd agree."

The old lady set down the glass and snorted. "If you want to go, go. I won't accompany you."

"Grandma, you've changed."

The old lady sighed. "Olive isn't an ordinary girl. She has her own mind. If she wanted to come home sooner, she would have."

"Elvis, my child, win Olive's heart yourself. Otherwise, someone else will snatch her away."

Elvis smirked. "Olive is my wife. Who would dare?"

Mrs. Samantha chuckled softly, then muttered within Elvis's earshot, "Olive wasn't your wife."

The next morning, Olive learned Aunt Rebecca had awakened. She rushed to the hospital, finding Aunt Rebecca lying weakly on the bed, her eyes open.

"Aunt Rebecca, you're awake! You've been in a coma so long," Olive exclaimed, excitedly clutching her aunt's hands.

Aunt Rebecca gazed at Olive's face, relief evident. "Little Miss, you've grown. If Miss saw you now, she'd be so happy."

"Aunt Rebecca, how did Mummy die? Did someone hurt her?" Olive pressed, eager for the truth.

Aunt Rebecca's eyes widened, revealing horror and fear. "He's here! He's here! He found Miss!"

"Aunt Rebecca, what are you talking about? Who is he?" Olive had never seen such terror on her aunt's face, as if she'd seen a demon.

Aunt Rebecca's hands fluttered before settling. She looked tired, then at Olive. "Little Miss, do you know about the Ivory Council?"

Olive knew the Ivory Council; it was the largest medical research institute in LA. Its rapid growth had made it the largest in Los Angeles.

"Aunt Rebecca, you mean the Ivory Council, the research institute?" Olive needed confirmation, as Aunt Rebecca shouldn't have had any dealings with it.

Aunt Rebecca's eyes shone. "Little Miss, Miss left a box for you. You must retrieve it."

"Aunt Rebecca, where is it? I'll get it now."

"At the Ivory Council."

"What?"

Aunt Rebecca reached out, her hand trembling as she grasped Olive's. "Miss, the Ivory Council was created by your mother. When she came to this city, she was bored, so she created it."

Olive stood dumbfounded. "Aunt Rebecca, what's wrong with Grandpa?"

"Kelvin?" Olive hadn't expected Aunt Rebecca to use his first name.