Chapter 89
It was the night of the charity dinner, which had been fully organized and managed by the Crosby family. The Crosbys had announced that 10% of the money from the auction would be sent to charity.
However, everyone knew the truth–the Crosbys were facing some financial difficulties and were trying to earn some cash by selling off some of their items.
Those in Mr. Crosby Senior’s circle knew that he had an eye for invaluable collectibles, yet they kept quiet about it.
He’d liked hoarding valuables since he’d been young, so there were bound to be lots of treasures hidden in his house.
It wasn’t every day that one got to see him selling his prized possessions, and those who knew him had decided to attend the dinner as soon as they’d received the invitation.
Even those without much money came over to watch the show. The word on the street was that the Fordham residence was going to be auctioned too.
Olivia and Everly arrived just in time.
The latter poked her head out of the car window to take a look before saying, “You go ahead and head upstairs. I’ll park the car and meet you there. Save me a spot in the front row!”
“Alright.”
Everly had never attended something like this and thought that they could help each other grab a seat. The truth was, the seats were usually arranged for the guests in advance at events like this.
There were two ways the seating arrangement was determined: either according to one’s social status or based on the amount of money one had to offer.
Fortunately, Olivia had asked Everly to settle the donation before they came, so she already had a seat reserved for her. She couldn’t simply sit wherever she wanted.
Unfortunately, as Olivia neared the entrance, she realized she’d forgotten the invitation when the guards stopped her from entering.
“Miss, do you have a letter of invitation with you?”
The guard wasn’t trying to make things difficult for her. It was just that he’d never seen anyone wear a down jacket to an event like this. The dress code usually consisted of gowns and suits. On top of that, he could see that her down jacket was patched up in some places.
Frankly, Olivia said, “It’s with my friend.”
“I’m sorry, but you have to wait for your friend before you two can enter together.”
Since it was a private event, Olivia understood that the guard was merely doing his job.
Despite getting some looks from some of the guests that were entering the building, she straightened her back, trying to remain calm and composed.
It was at this moment that Marina arrived with Calista, who had an arm hooked around the former’s.
Olivia could hear Calista’s voice from afar as she said, “Marina, I saw the dress in the interview. They say there are 3650 diamonds inlaid on it and that every diamond is a symbol of Mr. Miller’s love for you. I truly envy the love you two have for each other.”
Olivia pressed her fingers hard into her palms, but she didn’t feel the pain. She had always thought that Ethan had designed Milia Stellae” for her and that all the diamonds were just part of the design.
Now she knew that it was to commemorate his and Marina’s love.
Marina was surrounded by a group of women in ostentatious clothes. When her gaze met Olivia’s, she coolly looked away, not wanting to have anything to do with Olivia. She didn’t want anyone to know about Ethan and Olivia’s past.
Chapter 89
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Calista, on the other hand, was a completely different case. Olivia had upset everyone when they’d had a meal together that day.
Besides, the Fordhams had finally gone bankrupt as well. With Marina by her side, Calista looked down on Olivia even more.
“Isn’t this our cla*s‘ genius? Why are you dressed so sloppily? When I saw you from afar, I thought you were a beggar.” Calista mocked her.
The guard chose to speak at this inappropriate moment. “Mrs. Miller, do you know this woman? She doesn’t have an invitation with her, but if you know her, you can go in together.”
“I don’t,” Marina said curtly.
Calista tried to make things worse by telling the guard, “You should have your eyes checked. Don’t simply allow penniless people to sneak their way into an event like this.”
Calista added, “The New Year’s coming, so maybe she was trying to steal something after getting inside. I’m sure you can’t afford it if something goes missing.”
The guard nodded repeatedly at Calista. “I understand now. Thank you for your reminder, ma’am.”
Calista and Marina rolled their eyes at him and finally entered the building. Just as the guard was about to ask Olivia to leave, Brent, who’d come out for a smoke, saw them.
He immediately stepped in to stop the guard. Only then did the guard allow Olivia to go inside.
It seems Ethan only ever married Olivia to take revenge for what happened to his little sister. While Olivia is plagued by her sickness, he holds her chin and says coldly, “This is what your family owes me.” Now, she has no family and no future.
Her father becomes comatose after a car accident, leaving her with nothing to live for. Thus, she hurls herself from a building. “The life my family owes will now be repaid.” At this, Ethan, who’s usually calm, panics while begging for Olivia to come back as if he’s in a state of frenzy …
