Chapter 49 Chapter 49 Seeing so many unfamiliar faces in her home, Grace assumed they were all Olivia's friends. She smiled warmly at Andrew "I hope our Olivia hart bein any trouble to you." Andrew paused, his expression softening as his gaze instinctively found Olivia. "Not at all," he replied "She's been wonderful" Grace's face lit up at the compliment, her head bobbing in happy agreement. "That's good to hear. Olivia's always been such a good girl since she was little. I just worry people might take advantage of her kindness." Andrew studied Olivia for a moment, amused by the suggestion. 'Anyone who thought this woman could be taken advantage of clearly didn't know her he thought to himself. Still, he humored Grace with a polite response. "That would never happen. She's far too kind for anyone to treat her poorly" His eyes drifted toward Ethan, who was chatting animatedly with Olivia. A flicker of irritation crossed Andrew's face as he called sharply. "Ethan, comm here. Now." Ethan scrambled to his boss's side immediately, flashing Grace a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about a thing. If anyone even looks at Ms. Summers the wrong way, I'll handle it personally. Wouldn't even need to trouble Mr. Shea." Grace burst into laughter at Ethan's earnest declaration. The warm moment was shattered when a loud voice echoed through the yard. "Ethan, you in there?" All heads turned toward the breathless figure of Tony standing in the doorway, one of Andrew's most trusted men. Tony gulped air before delivering his urgent news. "Mr. Shea, we've traced the kidnappers from Magnolia Town. They've given us the last known location where they held Ms. Ivy Summers." "Magnolia Town?" Olivia looked up at the mention of Magnolia Town, her eyes calm and steady. Ethan studied her reaction with interest. "I'm surprised you know this place." Olivia and Grace shared a meaningful glance before Olivia replied, "We know of it." The timing was interesting since she'd been planning to visit soon. She felt certain the town held some importance. Andrew quietly observed Olivia's thoughtful expression, making a mental note of her reaction. At that moment, the sound of a car engine broke the silence from the street beyond the lane. Sean shifted uncomfortably. 'I have a bad feeling about this,' he thought. Soon after, a well-dressed young girl came rushing in. "Andrew, you came to see her without telling me!" Jenny exclaimed, her cheeks puffing out in protest. Grace, who always adored children, smiled warmly af Jenny. "What a lovely young lady," she said, beckoning her closer. "Come here, dear." Jenny playfully stuck her tongue out at Andrew before rushing into Grace's open arms. The tender moment between them filled the yard with warmth. Olivia suddenly remembered something and setled into the seat beside Andrew. A knowing smile played at her lips as she said, "I hear the Sheas are throwing a party." Her tone left no doubt this wasn't a question but a statement of fact. "Your intel is spot-on, Ms. Summers," Andrew acknowledged, folding his newspaper. When their eyes met, her unreadable expression unexpectedly drew a smile from him. "Care to join us?" "Wouldn't mind either way." Her casual indifference only served to intrigue him further. 1/3 07:20 Tue, 2 Sept Chapter 49 "We'd be delighted to have you," Andrew said, his deep-set eyes glinting with interest. "Ethan, arrange a VIP invitation for Ms. Summers" While the sheas sent ordinary invitations to most guests, fewer than five people ever received the prestigious VIP version. Holding out the invitation, Ethan hesitated. "Mr. Shea, if we give this to Ms. Summers, what will you use?" Andrew gave him a look that could wither plants. "Where I go, they don't ask for invitations." "Understood!" Ethan presented the embossed card with both hands. Olivia finally got the invitation she wanted. She turned it over a couple of times before tossing it carelessly on the stone table and returning to her herbs. Ethan felt physical pain watching this. 'People would literally kill for that invitation, but she treated it like yesterday's newspaper?" he thought while stealing a glance at Andrew, who was watching her work with undisguised interest. They stayed through the morning, only leaving when lunchtime approached. Driving away, Ethan shook his head and muttered, "Who knew Ms. Summers could wrap Mr. Shea around her little finger like that?" "You know, there's something between Ms. Summers and our boss," Ethan said, his voice growing louder without him realizing it. "First, she saved Ms. Jenny Shea, and now she's saved him too." After playing all morning, Jenny fell asleep in Andrew's arms. Half-dozing himself, Andrew couldn't suppress a small smile at the mention of their connection. After seeing them out, Olivia went to check on Nina. While the toxin was now under control, the treatments would have to continue indefinitely. "It's time you woke up," Olivia said as she inserted a long needle into Nina's forehead, applying firm pressure. Nina coughed several times as she gradually regained consciousness, her entire body wracked with pain. The unfamiliar surroundings came into focus as she opened her eyes. "Where... am I?" Nina asked weakly, her face pale as she clutched her chest and struggled to sit up. Olivia handed her a bowl of medicinal brew. "My home," she said coolly. Only then did Nina properly see Olivia. Her lips trembled and her eyes grew moist. "You saved me?" Olivia settled onto the edge of the bed, her expression calm but distant. "No. You saved yourself by coming to Willow Lane-if you hadn't, we never would have met." What really saved Nina had been her own stubborn will to survive. Nina's chest tightened with emotion as she looked at Olivia, words failing her. Olivia had now saved her twice. "Please accept my thanks." Nina bowed deeply, her voice thick with sincerity. "I owe you my life. From today onward, I'm in your debt." Olivia accepted the gesture quietly, knowing it would help ease Nina's conscience. As she helped Nina rise, Olivia asked matter-of-factly, "Now tell me who poisoned you." "The Evanses." Nina's hands clenched at the name, her eyes darkening. "They killed my grandmother, and now they tried to kill me by poisoning my drink. I was so stupid to let my guard down around them." The answer didn't surprise Olivia one bit. Compared to the other things the Evans family had done behind the scenes, poisoning was practically tame. "It's not revenge that was your mistake," Olivia said, softening her tone, "but how recklessly you went about it. Never make your move until you're 2/3 07:20 Tue, 2 Sept Chapter 49 absolutely certain of success." Nina kept her eyes downcast, the silence stretching between them. "You'll get justice," Olivia promised. "But first, focus on healing." When Nina didn't respond, she added, "You're welcome to stay with man, I could use someone with your skills." Nina gave a hesitant nod, and then suddenly stiffened. Digging through her coat pockets, she produced a voice recorder and pressed it into fivis's hands. "You're the only one I trust," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "This might be helpful." Olivia was just examining the recorder when a shrill voice cut through the air. "My poor girl!" a woman wailed from the doorway "We've been worried about you." AD Freelance photographer Violet Beck is forced into an engagement with CEO Roy Payne. He is everything her wild heart rebels against: proper, predictable, and painfully kind. But love has a way of devel...