Chapter 498

The afternoon sun cast golden streaks across the manicured lawns as Olivia and Alexander strolled side by side. Their conversation had shifted from business matters to lighter topics, the tension between them dissolving into an easy camaraderie.

Alexander, his mood noticeably brighter, casually mentioned the new stallion he'd imported from Eldermere. "You should see him," he said, eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. "A magnificent creature. Would you care to join me for a ride?"

Olivia suppressed a relieved smile. While she wasn't an expert equestrian, she could hold her own. As they turned toward the stables, their banter was effortless, the kind that came from mutual understanding.

Then, a sound cut through their laughter—soft, muffled sobs.

They stopped mid-step, exchanging glances before scanning their surroundings. Their gazes landed on a young woman in an emerald-green dress, crouched near a wrought-iron bench. Her shoulders trembled, her face buried in her hands.

She was a picture of devastation. Her dark hair tumbled in disarray over her shoulders, her delicate frame shaking with each quiet cry. Tears streaked her flushed cheeks, her red-rimmed eyes brimming with despair. The way she bit her lip only accentuated her fragility.

Olivia assessed the scene quickly. The girl was clearly out of place—likely a guest who had stumbled into this elite gathering unprepared. One of her shoes was missing, her stocking torn, adding to her disheveled appearance.

Her first instinct was to walk away. This wasn't her problem. She could alert a staff member, have them discreetly handle the situation—perhaps find the girl a change of clothes and send her home.

But Alexander, standing beside her, frowned. "It wouldn't be proper for me to approach her," he murmured. "Would you mind checking if she needs assistance?"

Olivia hesitated, her usual detachment surfacing. But before she could refuse, the girl lifted her head—and their eyes met.

There was something raw in that gaze. A vulnerability that tugged at Olivia's instincts, stirring an unexpected protectiveness.

With a quiet sigh, she turned to Alexander. "Does she look familiar to you?"

He shook his head. "No, never seen her before."

Understanding, Olivia stepped forward. She helped the girl to her feet, brushing dirt from her dress with deliberate gentleness.

Before the girl could speak, Olivia kept her voice low but firm. "There are spare clothes available, though they may not fit perfectly. My advice? Change and rejoin the event, or find a quiet lounge to wait it out."

The girl's tear-streaked face hardened with resolve. "You see right through me, don't you?" she whispered. "I'm not here just for the party. I came for opportunities. Sitting in a lounge won't get me anywhere. I can't waste this chance."

Olivia studied her for a long moment. There was fire beneath the tears—a determination she recognized.

After a pause, she gave the girl's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "You're right," she conceded. "Come with me. I'll take you to the staff."

Gratitude flickered in the girl's eyes. "Thank you."

As she turned to leave, her gaze lingered on Alexander—just for a heartbeat—with something unreadable in her expression.

Curiosity.

Hope.

Something more.

Olivia noted it but said nothing.

The afternoon carried on, the encounter already fading into the background.

But some moments, however small, had a way of lingering.