Chapter 124

Olivia was walking home with a light heart, completely unaware of the social media storm brewing about her.

Under Genevieve's skilled instruction, Olivia had quickly repaired Victoria's mother's vintage dress.

As she packed her sewing kit to leave, a sudden wave of dizziness made her sway dangerously.

She steadied herself against the armrest, one hand instinctively cradling her still-flat abdomen.

It struck Olivia how easily she lost track of time when working, often skipping meals. While she could handle hunger, her unborn child couldn't.

She whispered silent apologies to her belly, a pang of guilt twisting her heart. This baby might never hear her voice, let alone learn words from her.

But the melancholy passed quickly. Pulling out her phone, Olivia searched for healthy pregnancy meal plans before heading to the grocery store.

She now lived in the luxury condo William had arranged.

Browsing the supermarket aisles with focused determination, Olivia suddenly found herself nearly knocked over by a charging child.

Her arms flew protectively around her stomach. In her concentration, she hadn't seen the boy coming.

The child fell hard on his bottom and immediately began wailing.

Olivia's lips pressed into a thin line as she observed the tantrum-throwing boy. He appeared about eight, with a sturdy build. The impact had been minor, but a serious collision could have sent her to Mercy Hospital.

The child's piercing cries drew curious shoppers like moths to flame.

Not interested in drama, Olivia turned to leave.

"Stop right there!" A shrill voice cut through the air. "You think you can knock down my grandson and just walk away? What kind of behavior is that?"

Olivia kept walking.

The elderly woman proved persistent, grabbing Olivia's wrist with surprising strength.

Sharp nails dug into Olivia's skin, drawing blood.

Olivia gasped in pain and whirled around, her expression darkening.

The woman's face twisted with greater fury at being ignored. "Everyone, look at this! An adult bullying a child! I saw her push my grandson down with my own eyes, and now she acts innocent! This is outrageous! Apologize now!"

Olivia nearly laughed. Shaking off the woman's grip, she typed rapidly on her phone. "Your grandson ran into me. He fell on his own. If anyone owes an apology, it's him to me."

The woman's face flushed with rage before suddenly transforming into a mocking smirk.

"Why don't you speak? Ah, I see now—" Her eyes glittered with malice. "You're mute. Serves you right."

Several bystanders immediately protested.

"That's going too far. This young woman is clearly delicate. Your grandson is twice her size. And mocking her disability? That's cruel."

"I saw what happened. The boy ran into her."

Realizing public opinion was against her, the woman changed tactics. "Even if it was an accident, shouldn't she have helped him up? Instead she just watched him cry and walked away! Wouldn't you be angry if this happened to your child?"

She yanked the boy up, pointing dramatically at a faint red mark on his arm. "Look how he's hurt!"

In truth, the mark came from the child refusing to stop rolling on the floor.

As his wails continued, the crowd exchanged skeptical glances.

Olivia remained calm. Her hand drifted to her stomach, nearly revealing her pregnancy as explanation for not intervening. But she stopped herself—these strangers didn't need to know her private life.

The sharp-eyed woman noticed the gesture. Her eyes narrowed with sudden understanding. "Oh ho! Are you pregnant? I saw what you were buying—all prenatal items. Living alone, are we? Pregnant and unmarried? I wonder who the father is..."

Murmurs of disapproval rippled through the crowd. "That's completely inappropriate!"

The woman raised her voice triumphantly. "Oh, it's very much my business! She lives in the most exclusive building in our neighborhood. My son's been trying to buy there for months, yet she waltzed right in. There's something fishy going on. How does someone like her afford it? Probably some rich man's mistress. Disgusting!"

Olivia's face paled. This wasn't random—it was targeted hatred.

The neighborhood was Whitmore Holdings territory.

William had insisted Olivia move there for security reasons.

She'd complied, never imagining it would breed such resentment.

With steady fingers, Olivia typed: "Where I live is none of your concern. Continue spreading lies and I'll involve the police."

The woman faltered momentarily before pressing on. "Then prove you're not pregnant! I know what I saw—you're definitely expecting."

Her hands shook with excitement as she grabbed her phone. "I'm posting this in our community group. Let everyone see what kind of woman lives among us! Pregnant out of wedlock—how scandalous!"

Panic surged through Olivia. Most residents here were influential figures in tight social circles. The potential damage to the Blackwood family reputation if this got out...

Before Olivia could finish typing a response, the woman gave no chance.

In desperation, Olivia quickly messaged the police while trying to wrestle the phone away.

During the struggle, the boy saw his opportunity and shoved Olivia violently.

She stumbled backward, her waist hitting the sharp corner of a display table.

But instead of pain, Olivia found herself caught in strong, comforting arms as her vision swam.

Then an icy male voice sliced through the tension. "I'd like to see who dares spread rumors about my wife!"