CHAPTER 110: DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD

~Bonus Chapter for today:

This Chapter is dedicated to "Kukeng15". Thank you so much for the review and SUPER thank you for the Magic Castle!

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"The final documents for the settlement were released yesterday," Oliver announced as he slid into a chair, reaching for the coffee. "I was so dead tired, I crashed before you guys even got in last night. But the good news—" he lifted his mug like a toast, "—we can head home today."

"Aww, can’t we stay here a bit longer?" Katie pouted, her big eyes widening like a professional negotiator.

"No, dear," Wendy said firmly, scooping another spoonful toward Katie’s mouth. "You have playschool to return to, and your tutor’s been waiting for you."

"Tutor?" Nick leaned in, giving the little girl his most curious expression. "What’s she teaching you?"

"Math and reading," Katie replied proudly, straightening in her chair. "I can read now."

"Wow," Oliver chuckled, finding her expression downright adorable. "You’re pretty young to be reading already."

"I’m already four years old. I’m a big girl now!" she declared, puffing up like a tiny queen, making the entire table break into warm laughter.

"When I was four," Liam jumped in, grinning, "all I did was run outside with Nick, get filthy, then come home and get spanked by the nanny. Best time of my life!"

"Sweetheart, don’t listen to these uncles," Vicky cut in with mock severity. "Studying is good. Keep doing that." Then she shot her brothers a warning glare. "When I have children, I won’t let them anywhere near you."

"Children?" Liam snorted. "You don’t even have a boyfriend!"

That earned a loud burst of laughter from both Liam and Nick, who slapped each other a triumphant high-five like mischievous teenagers.

"Excuse me!" Vicky’s eyes widened as she pointed her fork at Liam. "You have zero right to say that, you don’t have a girlfriend either!" Then she spun toward Nick, eyes narrowing. "And you, you sea monster, I have no idea what Georgia sees in you. You probably hired someone to cast a spell on her!"

That set Ella and Oliver off, laughing so hard they nearly spilled their drinks.

Meanwhile, Georgia just sipped her juice quietly, a small smile on her lips, enjoying the ridiculous, warm chaos swirling around the breakfast table.

It was a warmth she hadn’t felt in years. The lively chatter, the playful teasing—it pulled at something deep in Georgia’s chest. Her family home used to be this loud, this full of life... back when her father, brother, and sister-in-law were still alive.

"I’m not joining you guys today," Vicky said, brushing crumbs from her dress as she stood. "I’ve got business to handle at my branch here."

"Oh, that reminds me," Oliver chimed in, glancing at his watch. "I’m meeting Steven today. Almost forgot. You can all go on without me."

"Is he in trouble?" Nick asked, his tone filled with curiosity and a hint of protectiveness.

Oliver shook his head. "No, just needs to go over some property documents. But it might take a while, so don’t wait up."

Breakfast wrapped up quickly after that, everyone scattering to their plans. Those heading home didn’t waste a second, especially Georgia, whose chest tightened with the anticipation of being back in her own space.

Once they were on the plane, Georgia finally leaned toward Nick, her voice low. "Are those two... together?"

Nick’s brow lifted. "Oliver and Vicky? No. Vicky’s just... well, Vicky. She likes checking on her company branches personally—hands-on to a fault. Oliver’s busy with clients. Steven’s one of his regulars. I’ve been telling him to start his own law firm so he can take on more."

Georgia tilted her head, unconvinced. "You’re sure? Because they kept glancing at each other."

Nick smirked, leaning closer until his lips brushed over the back of her hand. "Why are you noticing so much lately? Just keep your eyes on me, not on other people."

"It’s not like I was snooping," Georgia murmured, settling deeper into her seat. "It was just... obvious."

Nick reclined as well, but her words tugged at the back of his mind. ’No... Oliver wouldn’t hide something like that from me. Not if it involved Vicky. He knows exactly how important she is to me.’

And yet, a faint ripple of unease lingered beneath his calm exterior.

Back in the hotel, Vicky had just finished packing and was leaning toward the vanity, expertly doing her make-up, when a soft knock came at the door, despite it already being wide open.

"How long are you planning to stay here?" Oliver’s voice carried in, low but probing.

She caught his reflection in the mirror and smirked faintly. "You can come in, you know. No need to lurk at the door like some suspicious neighbor. I don’t bite..."

Oliver hesitated a moment before stepping inside, perching himself on the edge of the bed like he belonged there. "Tomorrow," she continued, focusing on her makeup. "I’ll head home then. Tonight, I’m pulling an all-nighter at the office to get things wrapped up fast."

"You work too much," he said, his gaze lingering on her face longer than necessary. "You’ll burn yourself out."

"I have to. My morning’s already been hijacked by Sarah. She wants to meet me for lunch."

Oliver’s brows knit. "And you think that’s a good idea?"

"I plan to tell her to back off. But I’ll hear her out first."

His reply was immediate. "I’m coming with you. If she tries anything again, you’ll have a lawyer right there."

Vicky froze mid-stroke, eyes locking with his in the mirror. "You don’t have to. Stop hovering over me like some watchdog. I’m an adult, Oliver. I know exactly what I’m doing. I don’t need your protection. You made it very clear a long time ago that you wanted nothing to do with me."

The words were sharp, meant to wound—but the moment they left her lips, she felt the sting of her own blade like a double-edged sword.

His jaw tightened. "This isn’t about you. It’s about Nick, he’s my best friend and my client. I won’t let Sarah harm him or Georgia."

He stood abruptly, as if putting an end to the conversation. "I’ll be in the car so she doesn’t see me."

Before she could fire back, he was gone, leaving the door swinging slightly in his wake.

Vicky’s hand trembled, and the eyeliner clattered onto the table. "Damn it," she muttered under her breath, though the frustration wasn’t just at him—it was at the way her heart refused to listen to her head.

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