Chapter 257

The bodyguards and nurse hesitated before finally stepping back, creating an uneasy space between the two women. Their retreat was reluctant, their protective instincts warring with their orders.

They didn't go far. From a careful distance, the security team kept vigilant eyes on Olivia and Seraphina. Their primary concern was ensuring the pregnant woman remained unharmed.

The moment they were alone, Seraphina's mask slipped. Her saccharine smile twisted into something venomous. The transformation was startling.

Glancing around with theatrical exaggeration, Seraphina sneered. "Ever since you showed up, Donovan barely glances my way. Imagine his reaction when he discovers you're not actually his cousin?"

Olivia arched one delicate eyebrow. Her fingers danced across her phone screen with practiced ease. "Is that supposed to be a threat?"

A cruel smirk played on Seraphina's lips. "Don't play dumb. You manipulated both Donovan and Alistair into believing you're their long-lost relative just to escape my control, didn't you?" She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper. "Alistair's memory isn't what it used to be - he's mistaken others for his granddaughter before. And Donovan? His blind respect for the old man made him an easy mark. You saw your opportunity and took it. That birthday gift scheme was particularly clever."

Olivia nearly choked on the absurdity of these baseless accusations. The irony was almost laughable.

A realization struck Olivia then - Seraphina hadn't been present during Donovan's private conversation with her. She didn't know Donovan had asked Olivia to stay regardless of blood relations, purely to humor Alistair's fragile belief.

This ignorance led Seraphina to construct an elaborate conspiracy theory where Olivia was the master manipulator.

In a twisted way, part of Seraphina's accusation held truth. Olivia had indeed researched Alistair's preferences before crafting his birthday present. But the motives behind this action were worlds apart from Seraphina's paranoid assumptions.

Interpreting Olivia's silence as confirmation, Seraphina's eyes glittered with malicious triumph. She seized Olivia's wrist with surprising strength. "If I were you, I wouldn't have the audacity to stay. The sheer shamelessness..." Her grip tightened. "Have your baby and disappear. Or I'll make you regret ever setting foot in Kensington Manor."

Olivia wrenched her arm free with a sharp motion. Her glacial stare could have frozen lava as she typed her response: "No need for concern. I'll be gone soon enough."

Staying permanently had never been part of Olivia's plans, regardless of her connection to the Kensingtons.

Seraphina's posture straightened with smug satisfaction, misinterpreting Olivia's words as surrender. With a contemptuous sniff, she strode away, the very picture of victorious arrogance.

Their heated exchange remained private, unnoticed by the watchful bodyguards stationed just out of earshot.

When Donovan received the report from his subordinate, his brow furrowed in concern.