Chapter 387

Olivia had never planned to deliberately cultivate any connection with Beatrice.

The moment Olivia stepped out of the venue, her path was abruptly blocked. Catherine stood there, her eyes swollen from crying, her usually pristine hair now tangled and wild.

Olivia remembered Victor had left much earlier. He hadn't taken Catherine with him, and after a moment's consideration, the reason became clear: he believed Catherine had humiliated him. So he'd abandoned both Catherine and Lillian.

"Olivia!" Catherine spat through clenched teeth. "It wasn't until Victor pointed it out that I realized something was wrong. There's something off about that painting you gave me, isn't there? How could you be so cruel? I trusted you completely, and this is how you repay me?"

Olivia gently set Isabelle down and gestured toward the tearful child. "Look what you've done to my daughter. Even if I set you up, you deserved it."

Catherine flinched, guilt flashing across her face, but she quickly recovered with self-righteous indignation. "She's obviously a thief! You know how pure Lillian is. Why would she ever steal? Are all children wicked in your twisted mind? Do you see evil everywhere because that's all you have inside you?"

Olivia had no interest in continuing this pointless argument. Taking Isabelle's small hand in hers, she said softly, "Let's go home, sweetheart."

Catherine's voice rose in desperation. "You haven't answered my question, Olivia! Are you feeling guilty? You're just jealous of me, aren't you? That's why you ruined my chance with Beatrice! What kind of sick game are you playing?"

This was Catherine's last desperate attempt to change her fate.

Olivia paused, then turned back with an icy smile. "You're absolutely right. I have been playing a game. And you were incredibly naive to think I'd just hand over something that valuable for free."

Catherine blinked in confusion. "You owe the Winslows everything! Whenever I wanted something nice before, you'd just give it to me because you had so much. Wasn't it natural for you to gift me a painting?"

Olivia's sneer deepened. "Exactly. You always thought I was an easy target, expecting me to hand over whatever you demanded. This mess you're in? You brought it on yourself. That painting I gave you was a fake. If you hadn't been so gullible, maybe things would be different now."

Even if the painting had been genuine, Beatrice would never have accepted such an extravagant gift. Had Catherine possessed even basic intelligence, she wouldn't have foolishly offered Olivia's "gift" to Beatrice.

Olivia hadn't gone too far—the real painting was still safely at the auction house. Catherine's downfall came from her own arrogance and stupidity. She'd brought this on herself.

The truth shattered Catherine. With a scream of rage, she lunged at Olivia, fingers outstretched like claws. But before she could reach her target, security guards intercepted her.

Defeated, Catherine could only glare with venomous hatred as Olivia walked away.

Just as Olivia reached her car, a familiar voice called out. "Olivia!"

She turned to see Daniel hurrying toward her.

After a brief hesitation, Olivia greeted him with polite distance. "Mr. Bennett, what a pleasant surprise."