Chapter 481

The dim lighting of the private dining room cast long shadows across the table where a heavyset man sat alone. His ill-fitting suit hung awkwardly on his frame, the wrinkles giving him an almost comical appearance that contrasted sharply with the upscale restaurant's ambiance.

Benjamin Wright tilted his head, his beady eyes narrowing as they raked over Olivia Sinclair's form with the clinical detachment of someone appraising livestock. Olivia suppressed a shudder but kept her professional mask firmly in place.

This could still be her potential client. She wouldn't let personal discomfort ruin a business opportunity - though every instinct screamed at her to walk away immediately.

The silence stretched between them until Benjamin suddenly burst into laughter, the sound grating against Olivia's nerves like nails on chalkboard. Maintaining her composure, she poured him a cup of coffee with steady hands, the fragrant steam rising between them like a fragile barrier.

"Mr. Wright," Olivia began, cutting through the tension, "I understand you're considering a substantial order but have reservations about the contract. Could you clarify your concerns? Whether it's pricing or design specifications, we can certainly negotiate terms."

Benjamin's laughter turned into a wheezing chuckle as he abruptly stood and moved to sit beside her, his bulk pressing uncomfortably close. Olivia's grip tightened around her coffee cup until her knuckles turned white, resisting the powerful urge to throw the scalding liquid in his face.

Then she felt it - his damp palm sliding around her waist with reptilian slowness.

Reacting instantly, Olivia delivered a sharp elbow to his ribs. "Are we here to conduct business or not?" she demanded, her voice like tempered steel.

Benjamin sneered, his breath reeking of stale tobacco. "Business? Don't play coy with me. I know your type - pretending to be some prim businesswoman when all you really want is access to my bank account. I'm not some naive boy you can manipulate."

Olivia's confusion cut through her anger. This wasn't Benjamin Wright? Had she entered the wrong private dining room? Impossible - the hostess had specifically directed her here.

Ignoring the man's disgusting advances, Olivia stood to call for assistance. Before she could move, Benjamin's meaty hand clamped around her wrist, his overpowering cologne mixing unpleasantly with body odor.

"Enough games," he panted, his free hand groping at her blouse. "I've got another appointment soon, so let's make this quick."

"Get your hands off me!" Olivia's shout echoed through the room as she twisted violently in his grasp.

When he didn't relent, Olivia drove her knee upward, the pointed toe of her designer pump connecting painfully with his shin. As Benjamin howled in pain, she wrenched free and bolted for the door.

The hallway outside spun into view as Olivia burst through the doorway - only to collide violently with another figure.

"Wait, viewers! I'm just about to meet my top patron from the fan club who's been so supportive. Everyone say- OOF!"

The impact sent both women staggering. Olivia barely registered the phone screen broadcasting their collision live to thousands of viewers before recognizing the woman she'd nearly knocked over - Margaret Sinclair, social media influencer and perpetual thorn in Olivia's side.

Margaret's camera captured every detail - Olivia's wild eyes, her mussed hair, the panic written across her normally composed features. The realization that this humiliating moment was being streamed to half the city froze Olivia in place.

The door behind her creaked ominously as Benjamin's shadow fell across them both.