Chapter 62

Olivia arrived at Whitmore Holdings precisely at nine o'clock. Alexander stood waiting by the marble pillars, his tailored suit accentuating his broad shoulders.

"This is Olivia Sinclair, our new antiquities consultant," Alexander announced to the security team while handing her a platinum access card. His voice carried the weight of undisputed authority.

The sight of the company's COO personally escorting a junior consultant sent whispers rippling through the lobby. Such preferential treatment was unheard of for someone at Olivia's level.

Olivia typed rapidly on her phone screen: "Mr. Hayes, you're too kind. Just direct me to my workspace."

Alexander's lips curved slightly. "Consider it professional curiosity. I'm eager to see our new department take shape." He guided her to the elevator bank.

The ninth floor spread before them - a blank canvas of polished floors and floor-to-ceiling windows. "This will be the Antiquities Research Division's headquarters," Alexander explained. "Eventually we'll occupy an entire building in our Newport campus."

Olivia's fingers trembled against her phone case. She'd expected a cubicle, not an executive floor. The morning light streaming through the windows painted golden rectangles across the empty space.

"Meet Isabella Rossi," Alexander gestured to a sharp-eyed woman with a sleek bob. "Your personal assistant. She's fluent in ASL."

Isabella greeted Olivia with perfect sign language: "Welcome, Ms. Sinclair."

Olivia's eyes widened. She signed back quickly, explaining she could hear perfectly but couldn't speak due to damaged vocal cords.

"Understood," Isabella replied without missing a beat, her professional mask unbroken.

Olivia settled into her corner office, booting up the sleek workstation. As she queued documents for printing, Isabella appeared at the door.

"Have you eaten breakfast? The executive kitchen makes excellent espresso." The assistant's tone carried subtle challenge.

Olivia hesitated. She rarely drank coffee, but the sleepless night had left her exhausted. She signed that she'd take a latte if it wasn't trouble.

Isabella produced a leather-bound notebook with theatrical flourish. "Milk preference? Sugar quantity? We'll establish your permanent profile."

Olivia blinked at the formality. She gestured that she'd visit the kitchen herself later.

"Is there anything else you require?" Isabella's voice held an odd tension.

Seizing the moment, Olivia asked if Isabella had transferred from another department.

"Corporate Finance," came the clipped reply.

Olivia turned her laptop screen toward the assistant, displaying her proposal for the department's inaugural project. Isabella's polished demeanor cracked as she scanned the document.

"You authored this?" Her voice dipped in genuine surprise.

At Olivia's nod, color rose in Isabella's cheeks. "I assumed...forgive me. I thought you were another socialite placement." Her hands tightened around the notebook. "They assigned me as your babysitter."

Understanding dawned. Olivia signed firmly that she intended to prove her worth through results, not connections.

The morning passed in productive frenzy - staffing plans, budget projections, acquisition targets. By noon, Olivia's driver navigated toward Blackwood Enterprises.

The buildings stood barely ten blocks apart. A household staff member waited curbside with an insulated lunch bag bearing the Winslow crest.

The new receptionist - clearly briefed after her predecessor's dismissal - ushered Olivia directly to the penthouse elevator.

Liam sat alone in his cavernous office, sunlight glinting off his gold pen. Olivia set the meal containers on the conference table with quiet efficiency.

"Not your cooking," Liam observed, lifting a lid with visible distaste.

Olivia confirmed the house chefs had prepared it.

Liam's gaze swept over her tailored blazer and pencil skirt. "You didn't come from home." It wasn't a question.

Olivia met his stormy eyes. She typed: "I started at Whitmore Holdings today."

The air thickened. Liam's knuckles whitened around his pen. "We had an agreement."

Olivia remained still as a statue. She pulled up her banking app, showing the $20 million balance. Her fingers moved deliberately across the screen: "I'm ready to transfer the money. Can we finalize the divorce now?"

Liam's chair screeched as he stood. "Twenty million in three days?" His laugh held no humor. "No wonder you took Hayes' offer. Is this your exit strategy? Does Alexander know you're using his money to leave me?"

He rounded the desk, crowding her space. "Tell me truthfully - are you sleeping with him?"

Olivia shook her head violently. She wished she could scream that she wasn't like him - that she honored her vows even in this sham marriage.

The silence between them grew teeth.