Chapter 84

"I accept your apology and forgive you." Olivia typed into her phone and read the message aloud for Cassandra.

Though forgiveness was Olivia's to give, the decision to punish Victoria rested entirely with William, and Olivia held no influence over Victoria's fate. Yet Cassandra clearly sought more than mere forgiveness. Her face lit up at Olivia's quick response. "Thank you, Olivia! You're absolutely amazing! Could you possibly help me with one more thing?"

As Cassandra's eagerness intensified, Olivia instinctively retreated a step, bracing for another request.

Cassandra grabbed Olivia's hand, desperation thickening her voice. "Could you speak to William on my behalf? Even if you don't defend Victoria directly, just say something kind about me. Please?"

Seeing Olivia's hesitation, Cassandra hastily added, "The Hayes family member married to my mother's aunt is Victoria's father's cousin. If Victoria falls from grace, I'll lose my standing within the Hayes family. You, being adopted by the Blackwood family, must understand the importance of family support, right? I'm desperate. Imagine how helpless I'd be if they cast me out alongside Victoria!"

Cassandra's plea tugged at Olivia's heartstrings but clashed with her principles. Olivia had become a Blackwood not by choice but because tragedy had claimed her family. Given the choice, she'd trade all wealth and status for one more moment with her loved ones.

Olivia shook her head, rejecting Cassandra's plea with another message. "I can't do that. William wouldn't approve."

"But he adores you! You don't understand how harsh he is with the younger generation. He doesn't warm to any of the kids, no matter their lineage! It's practically unheard of for him to take a liking to someone like you!"

Olivia knew William's eccentricities well. When she'd first accompanied Liam to the Hayes family estate, William had called her Mrs. Blackwood, clearly not recognizing her.

Back then, Olivia had seemed insignificant. Despite instructions for William to look after her, he'd barely acknowledged her presence, as she appeared to lack any qualities worth his attention. Only after observing Olivia's ambition and determination had William begun offering support.

Olivia understood why William's stance had changed. No one rushes to help those who've surrendered to despair. Had she resigned herself to misfortune without seeking assistance, no one could've saved her. William's fondness wasn't what others assumed.

Olivia typed firmly, "Sorry, I truly can't help you. Don't waste your breath trying to convince me. It's pointless."

"Olivia!" Cassandra's voice cracked with frustration after the rejection. "Victoria may have made mistakes, but you shouldn't corner her! Circumstances change! Just because William favors you now doesn't guarantee it'll last! What if Alexander falls? Aren't you worried about the consequences for yourself?"

Olivia remained unmoved. She kept herself detached from the Hayes family's internal conflicts, focusing solely on her responsibilities.

"If you help, I'll compensate you. I know you refuse Liam's money—" Cassandra offered desperately.

A pang of sadness struck Olivia. That she declined Liam's financial support was a secret known only to Liam himself, not even to Margaret. Cassandra's knowledge meant Liam had shared this with Evelyn, who must have told Victoria. Their private matters had become gossip fodder and even leverage.

Olivia's expression hardened. She stopped typing and instead conveyed refusal through sign language, her gaze briefly flicking to the elevator controls.

The elevator continued ascending strangely—it shouldn't take this long to reach her floor.

Upon closer inspection, Olivia realized her mistake. She'd forgotten to press her floor button. The elevator rose because someone upstairs had summoned it.

Olivia reached for the button, but Cassandra seized her arm, expression darkening.

"Olivia, don't push me! Just talk to William! Even if he ignores it, at least I tried! How can you be so heartless? You owe your position to the Blackwoods, yet refuse to help others?"

Olivia desperately wanted to clarify the misunderstanding, but Cassandra's iron grip made it impossible.

As Olivia considered acquiescing just to escape, the elevator halted.

The doors slid open to reveal Alexander about to enter when he witnessed the tense scene.

"Cassandra!" Alexander barked, fury evident. "What the hell are you doing? Release her immediately!"

"Alexander—" Cassandra turned, face etched with regret, but Alexander remained unconvinced.

With one glance, Alexander grasped the situation. Swiftly, he dialed security. "Revoke Cassandra's building access! Send someone to the 17th floor now to escort her out!"

"Alexander—" Cassandra tried to interject, but Alexander yanked her arm, forcibly removing her from the elevator.

Alexander then pressed his floor button and assisted Olivia with hers. "Did she scare you?"

Olivia simply shook her head, choosing not to discuss Cassandra's actions, and reassured him she was fine.

Meanwhile, Cassandra, now disheveled from the ejection, trudged to a waiting car where Victoria and Evelyn sat.

"Olivia refused, then Alexander appeared and threw me out," Cassandra muttered, head lowered.

Victoria swore under her breath, turning to Evelyn. "Evelyn, I never betrayed you. You must help me!"

"Don't worry," Evelyn soothed. "The real issue is Olivia, and she heeds Liam's advice. And Liam is utterly devoted to his mother."

Evelyn chuckled lightly. "Relax, Liam's mother has a birthday gala soon. I'll humiliate Olivia there. After that, she won't have a single ally left!"