Chapter 372

Olivia simply smiled and motioned for the maid to prepare refreshments.

In the grand parlor, Catherine had been waiting with her daughter Lillian Winslow for over an hour. Olivia only made her appearance when Catherine's patience had completely worn thin.

This time, Olivia deliberately chose not to use a wheelchair. With Amelia's support, she walked slowly into the sitting room, each step measured and deliberate.

Olivia's lips curved into a frosty smile as she addressed Catherine. "My apologies for the delay. I became completely absorbed in my physical therapy session and quite forgot you were here."

Catherine forced a smile that didn't reach her eyes, her expression as transparent as glass. She moved to Olivia's side, replacing Amelia's supporting arm with her own.

"Olivia, I came to see how your leg is healing. I was absolutely thrilled to hear of your return from overseas. Ever since learning about your injury, I've been meaning to visit."

"Yet I only gathered the courage today. Given our... complicated history when we were family, I feared you might look down on me now that you're a Kensington."

Olivia nodded with a knowing glint in her eyes. "How thoughtful of you to consider that. Since rejoining the Kensington family, my grandfather has repeatedly advised me to let go of past grievances. He says some people simply aren't worth the mental energy."

Catherine's smile cracked like thin ice, her carefully constructed facade crumbling. Fury bubbled beneath her carefully composed surface, but she dared not show it. She hadn't expected Olivia to be so brutally direct, slicing through social niceties with surgical precision.

But then again, Catherine realized bitterly, Olivia had every right to be blunt. Whether the Kensingtons truly valued Olivia or not was irrelevant - what mattered was the staggering fortune she now controlled, the kind that commanded respect and fear in equal measure.

Who could have imagined that the timid girl who once lived as the Winslows' adopted daughter would now own an international chain of auction houses? Particularly her establishments in Eldermere and Westhaven had become the most prestigious, attracting elite collectors like bees to honey.

In essence, Olivia now possessed a network of connections most could only fantasize about. Crossing her at this point would require either monumental stupidity or willful ignorance.

Catherine understood this all too well, so she swallowed her pride like bitter medicine, careful not to provoke the lioness.

After helping Olivia settle onto the sofa, Catherine dramatically dropped to her knees. She pulled Lillian down beside her, and mother and daughter began weeping in perfect harmony, their tears forming a pitiful symphony.

Catherine looked particularly wretched as she performed her act. Between sobs, she pleaded, "Olivia, you have a child of your own now, don't you? I know I've wronged you countless times, but like you, I'm only fighting for my daughter's future. Please let me have the painting, or Lillian and I will be cast out into the streets. I'll do anything - anything at all - to make amends. Just name your price and let me take the painting. Please, consider my desperate situation."

Olivia looked down at the kneeling woman, her smirk barely concealed. She saw right through Catherine's attempt at emotional blackmail. Unfortunately for Catherine, this particular tactic wouldn't work.

After what felt like an eternity of crocodile tears, Olivia finally spoke, her voice dripping with deliberate calm. "You know what I remember most clearly? How you nearly cost me my unborn child. Tell me, Catherine - what could you possibly do to make up for that?"

Catherine's tears dried instantly. The air grew thick with tension, an uncomfortable silence stretching between them.