bChapter /bb44 /b

“Ms. Summers, how did you get in here? I was waiting to escort you,” David gasped, catching his breath. “Leven thought you’d gotten lost.”

“Took the back way,” Olivia said calmly. “Main entrance was mobbed.”

News of Samuel’s transfer had sparked a media circus. Reporters clustered at the front gates like vultures waiting for scraps.

“I should’ve thought of that,” David admitted, scratching his head before pulling a card from his pocket. “From Mr. Summers. It’s his personal thanks.”

Samuel nodded vigorously.

“No need.” Olivia stepped back, refusing the card. “One thousand was my fee. I don’t take what I haven’t earned.”

Samuel’s eyes gleamed with approval. Putting on his sternest face, he pressed, “Call it 1.5 millionb. /bIt’s trivial. Just take it.”

“I appreciate the gesture, Mr. Summersb, /bbut you don’t have to.” Olivia’s smile was polite yet unyielding. b“/bIt’s about professional integrity.”

When Olivia stood her ground, Samuel could only concede defeat.

Andrew’s amused expression froze as he watched her.

Jenny’s description came back to him–Olivia’s tiny home in that forgotten alley, the elderly woman she cared for, and the teenage boy who could devour a week’s groceries in a single meal. Yet here she wasb, /bturning down easy money.

“Take it as payment then,” Andrew countered, arching an eyebrow. “At 150,000 per session, this card covers ten. Does that meet your professional standards?b” /b

“Fine.” Olivia epted the card without further argument. Practicality outweighed pride.

“We’ll renegotiate after ten,” she added, matching his raised brow. “And we’re counting yesterday as session one. Is that okay?”

Andrew took a slow sip of coffee, his expression inscrutable. “I’ll agree to whatever you say,” he replied smoothly.

Olivia packed away the thermos, considering. b“/bCome by when you’re free then. I’ll send you the address.” She pulled out her phone. “What’s your number?”

Andrew cleared his throat, his ears turning faintly pink. “Actually, Valready have your number.”

Olivia’s eyebrows rose in surprise before she nodded. “Then add me on WhatsApp. Same number.” With that, she said goodbye to Samuel and left, leaving David utterly perplexed and Samuel scowling at Andrew’s unfair advantage.

David stood frozen, trying to piece together what he’d missed during his absence. Samuel’s envious re at Andrew spoke volumes–he wanted to be

added to Olivia’s contacts as well

“How did you get her number?” Samuel asked sharply.

“Got lucky,” Andrew replied with a shrug, silently thanking his sister.

Samuel turned away from Andrew, his gaze following Olivia’s retreating figure through the window. “Our Ivy would be about her age now,” he murmured.

bJust /bthen, Charles burst through the door. “We’ll find Ivy, Grandpa,” he said, his voice catching when he mentioned his sister. “The trail leads to Magnolia Town. I’m dispatching another search team immediately.”

Samuel gave a terse nod, his brow furrowed, Magnolia Town? Olivia mentioned that ce recently. Could she possibly know bsomething /bbabout /bbIvy’s /bdisappearance?‘ he wondered.

“Charles,” Samuel said after a moment’s consideration, “while you’re at it, look into Olivia’s bpast /bas well, I want bto /bbknow /bbwhere /bbshe’s /bbeen band /bwho bshe /b

b07:19 /bbTue/b, 2 Sept

bknows/b.”

Though Olivia’s story didn’t align with Ivy’s, some instinct told him the two women were connected in ways he couldn’t yet tee

b“/bGot it.” Charles didn’t question the order. When his grandfather spoke, he just obeyed.

The strange familiarity in Olivia’s manner made him smile despite himself. For one foolish moment, he imagined she might actually ise his forg

sister.

Morning light filled the window. Cheryl allowed herself a small smile as she read the message.

Natalie: [I don’t know who you are, but your information saved me. Thank you.b] /b

Cheryl was pleased to see Natalie proving so useful. Having read the book, she knew the Phantom Healer’s identity was never revealed, which meant could designate anyone for the role.

Lately, Cheryl had noticed the story’s plot drifting off track. Worse still, her “parents” from Magnolia Town wouldn’t stop hounding her for money- something she couldn’t spare, not when she’d barely settled back into the Sherman family.

“Nydia, when are you sending the money?” The voice on the phone turned–urgent. “They’re closing bin /bon our operation. Pay us now so we can disappear Remember your promise–you said you’d support us after we sent you back. Don’t break your word inow/i.”

b“/bbIs /bmoney all you care about?” Cheryl snapped, and then her eyes gleamed with an idea. “Mom, didn’t you say there’s ba /bfifteen–thousandb–/bdor bounty for delivering the right kind of girlb?/bb” /b

“That’s right,” Gina Johnsonb, /bCheryl’s so–called mother, said with a dismissive wave. “Our agent pays based on quality. The better the girl, the bhigher /bthe price, with no upper limit.

“You turned this down before for what? That useless college degree? You’ll ve away for years after graduation and still not make bwhat /byou could in one year doing this.” Her voice grew louder, thick with excitement.

“Actually, the town head wants a son,” Gina added, “He’s looking for the right woman. Why don’t you go? You’re beautiful, intelligent, and our families are close. He’d pay at least 30,000 for someone like you.”

Cheryl bit back her anger and forced a smile. “Mom, I know someone even prettier. With her looksb, /byou’ll make way more.”

“How much are we talking?” Gina asked, feigning disinterest.

“At least a hundred grand,” Cheryl replied coolly. “And I’ll give you another thirty thousand when it’s done.”

Gina perked up at that. “Seriously? iWho’s /ithe mark? That kind of money would cover Bobby’s wedding. Hell, Nydia, you’re a godsend!”

“Olivia. You’ve seen her before.” Cheryl’s eyes darkened, a cold edge creeping into her voice. “She’s the one who torched Magnolia Town and walked away scot–free.”

“That little bitch!” Gina’s teeth clenched. “iHow /ithe hell do you even know her?”

“Turns out she’s the Shermans‘ adopted daughter,” Cheryl said, her fingers digging into her palms.

Cheryl burned with anger at Olivia, who’d stolen the life meant for her and the future she deserved. She had no doubt about one thing–to btake /bbback /bbwhat /bwas rightfully hers in this story, Olivia needed to be removed.

bGina /bhesitated. “The Shermans‘ foster kid… That’s ying with fire.”

“No,b” /bCheryl said coldly. “The Shermans disowned her. As far as they’re concerned, I’m their only daughter now.

b“/bWhen we threw bher /bbout/bb, /bbI /bmade bsure /bshe believed her real family was bthe /bbSummerses/bb. /bbI /bbeven /bbgave /bbher /bbyour /bbdetails. /bbJust /btell bher /bbyou’re /bher bparents/bb, /band

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she’ll go with you without suspecting anything”