The elevator door opened when it reached the third-floor basement, taking the chilling breeze in.Ethan removed his coat to drape it over Olivia's shoulders. The temperature was colder than it was up there.It was her first visit to such a place, which seemed different from the movies.The corridor was brightly lit, but the excessive illuminance over the wall made the place appear rather desolate.An older man was standing by the door to the mortuary. He was waiting for Olivia under his superior's orders."Mr. Miller, Mrs. Miller, the body is cosmetically prepared, but it is a dead body, after all. So, it's not a pleasing sight."Please be mentally prepared for it.""Open the door." Her voice was hoarse.As soon as the door was open, she saw a white sheet covering a body.Ethan explained, "I took some measures, so the case hasn't gone public yet. Her family doesn't know about it for now."Olivia strode toward the body. She had lost her consciousness for three days straight.Thus, every

Negative emotions were piling on Olivia. Ethan knew that she was too weak for an emotional rollercoaster right now.But he was more worried that something might happen from her bottling her emotions.Thus, he'd rather she let it all out.Olivia cried for a long time until her voice turned hoarse, and there were no more tears to cry.Her eyes were empty, and her legs were numb from the kneeling.She sobbed in Ethan's arms, and he didn't utter a word. He kept patting her back gently.Only when he noticed that she had slowly collected herself did he help her get up.Forming strength from anguish, she figured he was right—she should live.If she died, everything would go according to the mastermind's plan. She should live to pass on the grief of staying alive to that mastermind.Olivia wiped the last tear off. When she looked at Mona's body, her gaze turned more determined than before.She yanked the white sheet downward a little to reveal Mona's hand.The bracelet Mona treasure

The night had fallen when Olivia regained consciousness. She heard cries coming from the corridor.Fighting through the grogginess, she opened her eyes. She didn't move.She stared at the ceiling with hollow eyes instead.Everything felt like a dream. The haze in her mind rendered it surreal.Ethan gazed at her with bloodshot eyes. His voice was very hoarse. "Liv, you're awake."From his haggard face alone, it was easy for Olivia to tell that he had been looking after her for days and nights consecutively without sleep.She had received IV drips for the past few days. She didn't eat anything. He would press damp cotton buds on her lips whenever they were chapped.Olivia almost couldn't part her lips when she regained consciousness. She spoke with her eyes instead."What do you want? Are you thirsty or hungry? Tell me.""I'm thirsty ..."Feeling elated that she finally made a request, he rose from his seat.However, his sudden action incurred a pang of dizziness because he hadn't reste

Olivia had no choice but to accept reality. It had happened, and regretting it would do nothing.A lot of sacrifices were made in exchange for her life. From now onward, she wouldn't be living only for herself."You don't have to worry about me doing foolish things. Go home, get a shower, and have a good rest. Don't worry, I won't run away anymore."Ethan was surprised to hear her say that. It was as if she had become a completely different person after waking up.Previously, she was a white magnolia; she always stood with her back straight with sophisticated grace, but she was harmless.Now, she was a rose that came with thorns. Cold yet enticing, she could give anyone who came close to her pricks all over their body."Liv, I'm not tired …" Ethan wasn't sure about her current condition, so he wanted to stay by her side. He would decide after that.Olivia didn't say anything more about it. She cast her gaze at the closed door. "I heard someone crying. Who was it?""Mona's parents. They

It was a heart-wrenching sight to behold. How could Megan Tate bring herself to put up a fight with Olivia?Megan was aware that Olivia had lost her mother a long time ago, not to mention that Jeff was in a coma. Her marriage life was unhappy, too.A kind-hearted person like Megan didn't know how to react to Olivia kneeling before her."Ms. Fordham, you're weak, and the floor is cold. You should get up." Megan was old enough to tell that Olivia had preterm labor from her flat belly.Olivia wasn't the only person hurting. Cyril hopped over with the help of a crutch. "Mrs. Gurney, Mona protected Mrs. Miller on her will. It had nothing to do with Mrs. Miller. "It was my fault for not being able to protect Mona. I shall bear the responsibility for it."Cyril paid Allen Gurney a visit at the hospital before. Despite having only one encounter, Cyril left Megan a deep impression. She could tell that he was a decent man with one look."Your leg …"A group of built men came out of

Olivia looked in that direction to see a tall young man limping over. He resembled Mona.Despite the same features they shared, Mona was a bright woman, while he seemed cold and glum.Noticing her gaze, he nodded at her. "I'm sorry about my mother's ruckus, Ms. Fordham. She didn't know the score."Brent had told him everything, so he knew the whole story. He kept Megan in the dark because he didn't want to upset her. He didn't expect her to come all the way here.He seemed tired as the corner of his eyes were red. His legs had yet to recover, hence the limp.Before Olivia pulled herself back from her musing, the young man abruptly bowed before her.He hung his head low, repenting like a sinner. "I know the whole story. It's all my fault. I held Mona back and hurt you indirectly. This wouldn't have happened if I dodged it."Olivia said and motioned Brent to help him up."Your leg is in bad shape. Don't hurt yourself. The opponent had everything planned. Even if it wasn't you,

Ethan washed up and got changed before rushing to the hospital.He asked before entering the room. "How is she doing?"Kelvin quickly responded, "It's weird. Mrs. Miller didn't throw a tantrum and even asked to have an extra meal.""Did she say anything?""She asked about the other men's condition and how many enemies we captured. She also asked if Warren was one of them. She seemed calm the whole time.""What did you answer?""I told her the truth, that Warren escaped. The other people were under strict interrogations. She didn't say anything after that. She said that she was tired and needed some rest."Kelvin scratched his head before continuing, "Mr. Miller, what's up with Mrs. Miller? The way she's acting right now kinda scares me. She's too calm about it, so calm that it sends chills down my spine.""It looks like she didn't lie to me." Initially, Ethan was worried that Olivia was trying to distract him to commit suicide. Fortunately, she had figured it out.He entered

"Liv, I'm not trying to side with whoever. But this is not the Toxic Hive's way of doing things. "If Leia really wants you dead, it's highly possible that she will find a way to drug you. Would she have chosen this method?"As you know, the head of Toxic Hive is Helen. After Mr. Carlton passed away, she brought the Toxic Hive out of Aldenvine, including Leia. It has been months since they left." Ethan held Olivia's hand.With a gentle expression, he said, "The person who bought off The Black Ravens is not only rich, but he knows the way to contact them. "He's decisive and simple with his way of doing things. He's ruthless. Liv, did you think about who you have offended?"She shook her head. "You know my past very well. I got married and was pregnant before I graduated from university. Who could I possibly offend?"Not to mention that it's a powerful fellow that can spend 100 million dollars so easily to put a bounty on my head."He frowned. "I suspect that it has something to

Olivia's eyes were neither calm nor clear; they were teeming with madness and obsession.What kind of place Volt Peak Mountain was? It was called the Isle of Death in the line of industry. It was a secret base to train special agents, as well as a very dangerous place.What kind of people were there?They were either orphans or people who lost their families—in short, they were alone.The majority of them were sent there for training when they were young. Of course, there were grown-ups like Olivia, too. They shared a similar background, too.It was no wonder that Ethan reacted that way. Her rash decision would result in her death."Shake that idea off your mind, Liv. You have always wanted to set up a hospital for the citizens. Even if Marina changed its name, this hospital is still operating. "The medical staff we have here are skillful doctors from within the country and abroad. I've also established a foundation to help out poor people. "Over 100 people are benefiting f

Drizzle began falling from the somber sky.The candle flame danced along to the cold breeze.Olivia wiped the raindrop off her face, muttering, "Mona, is that you?"Two drops of rain landed beneath Mona's eyes on the picture, making it seem as though she was crying.It broke Olivia's heart to see that.She caressed the gravestone. "Don't worry, Mona. I will take good care of your family. They are my family from now onward. "Please rest in peace. In your next life … Find a better person in your next life."The drizzle showered the whole village after the funeral.Instead of leaving immediately, she went to Mona's old residence.It had been a while since Mona's family moved to a big city. They would only return to their hometown during festive days like New Year's, so the house was usually empty. The house seemed to be shabby. The apple tree and grapevine trellis stood in the rain, seeped with loneliness.Olivia stood below the grapevine trellis. She could imagine an adorab