CHAPTER 50: THE FALL

She kept her head lowered, fingers twisting the fabric of her skirt tighter and tighter.

"I’m talking to you—did you hear me? I told you to terminate the contract! Stop with the useless little stunts!"

"No!"

Olivia’s sudden outburst cut Andrew’s scolding short.

She lifted her head and met his eyes. "Dad, I’m not breaking that contract!"

"What did you just say? Olivia, are you rebelling against me now? You—"

"Dad! I know you’ve always tried to do what’s best for me, but tell me—what has Sophia ever had that I didn’t?"

"Even when she wore my castoffs, people still treated her like she was some untouchable princess!"

Olivia drew in a deep breath, fighting to stay calm. "Dad, do you think she’s better than me too? Do you look down on me? Do you think I’m just a pretty ornament?"

"I know I’m not perfect. I know I’m not the best. But I can’t swallow this! She’s the child you had with some low-class woman—why should she be better than me?"

Slap!

The crack of his palm stunned her. Olivia stared at him in disbelief.

Andrew’s face was still dark with restrained fury. "How dare you say something like that!"

Tears welled up instantly and spilled down her cheeks.

"Dad! What are you running from? Am I wrong? You cheated on Mom with Aurora back then—"

"You can do it but you can’t admit it? What did Mom do wrong? What did I do wrong? It was your sin—why do we have to pay for it?"

Andrew reached out to grab her but she stepped back, avoiding his hand.

"When I did nothing, you called me a spoiled little princess. Said all I knew how to do was sit around."

"Now that I’m trying to build a career, you tell me I’m only good for being a princess!"

"Which is it, Dad? Am I lucky, or are you just mocking me for being useless?"

"Wake up, Dad. You have no son. You can’t rely on Sophia. I’m your last pillar of support!"

Olivia wiped her tears with the back of her hand and held his gaze, determination blazing in her eyes.

"Dad, JL signed me for five years with a fifty-million signing bonus. If you try to terminate it now, the penalty is more than triple that amount."

"If you don’t want to support me, fine. Right now I’m still Olivia. But I may not always be the girl you know."

"Ethan dumped me and ran to Sophia."

"Even Lucas—cold, distant Lucas—actually noticed her."

"I don’t know what makes me less than her, but don’t worry. I’ll find out for myself."

"No matter how much you fight me, I will not break my contract. I’m going to JL Studios. I’m going to be the queen of this industry. I’ll outshine Sophia ten thousand times over."

She took a step back, a cold laugh spilling from her lips, then turned to leave.

"Olivia! I don’t care what you say, I won’t let you go. The entertainment world is far darker than you imagine. If you step into it, don’t bother coming back to the Morgan Family!"

Olivia sniffed, then lifted her chin with a brittle smile. "You mean the house where you and Mom fight every day? That’s what you want me to return to?"

She tilted her head slightly, her expression growing icier. "From this moment on, Dad, I’m me. You have no right to control me. As for the Morgan Family—I’m done."

She walked away, leaving only her back to him.

"Olivia!"

Andrew, shaking with rage, hurled the glass off the table. It shattered on the floor.

Hands on his hips, he hissed through clenched teeth, "Good. Fine! One after another, you’re all cutting ties with me? Great. Let’s see how long you last out there!"

"Paul!"

Andrew’s roar rattled the office. The door opened and Paul stepped inside. "President Morgan."

"Freeze every one of Olivia’s bank accounts and credit cards. All of them."

"President Morgan, isn’t that a bit harsh? After all, Miss Morgan—"

"She thinks her wings have hardened. Fine. Let’s see how long she can actually fly."

Andrew’s eyes burned red, his expression vicious.

Olivia fled the Morgan Group in tears. She hadn’t even told her mother yet. Her first instinct was to tell her father. She’d believed he would support her, only to be met with ice-cold rejection—and then blow after blow that cut straight into her heart.

She leaned against her car, sobbing uncontrollably.

JL Studios had promised her she’d be a star, promised they would make her a household name. So why couldn’t her father believe in her?

Did he see her as useless?

She could tell—though he cursed Sophia aloud, in his heart he respected her.

Six years ago, Olivia had schemed to trap Sophia into an old man’s bed, but Sophia had escaped. Six years later, she’d returned dazzling, transformed, untouchable.

Was Olivia truly weaker than her?

Hatred flickered in her tear-streaked eyes.

Sophia hadn’t just stolen her father’s respect—she had broken her mother’s heart for years. And now she was the reason her parents fought constantly.

Sophia, what gives you the right?

Olivia sucked in a shaky breath, pulled open the car door—and realized the tank was empty.

Of course. When luck turns sour, even drinking water will chip your teeth.

She let out a bitter laugh, abandoned the car, and began walking slowly down the road.

She didn’t know how long she wandered, or where her feet carried her. Finally, exhausted, she crouched down on the sidewalk in defeat.

A sleek black sedan rolled to a stop in front of her.

She looked up. Aiden leaned out, wearing a genial smile.

"Olivia. Get in, I’ll give you a ride."

She shook her head, forcing a smile. "That’s kind of you, Uncle Hilton, but no thanks."

"Nonsense. It’s nothing. I’m headed the same way—come on."

He stepped out, gently taking her arm. Half-resisting, she let herself be guided into the car.

"What are you doing out here on the side of the road?"

"Uncle Hilton, I signed with JL Studios. But my father... he doesn’t support me."

"JL Studios?"

Olivia nodded slowly.

"That’s a good company. You’ll have a bright future there. To be honest, I own thirty percent of JL Studios myself."

Her eyes widened. "Really?"

"Of course. Will I lie to you? Half the stars you see on screen were discovered under my wing."

Hope sparked in Olivia’s chest. "Then do I stand a chance? I want to be a superstar. I want Sophia crushed beneath my feet."

Aiden’s smile turned sly, unreadable.

"Of course you do. You have the looks, the charm—even without makeup, you’re stunning. I am sure of it, one hundred percent."

His hand drifted onto her thigh.

"Uncle Hilton! What are you doing?!"

"Olivia, don’t move. If you want to rise to the top, there’s always a price to pay. Whether you shine or not depends on one word from me. Didn’t you say you wanted Sophia beneath your heel? Are you going to throw this chance away?"

His voice was low, coaxing, dripping with temptation.

Olivia trembled, staring at him in horror.

"Be good. Your father won’t support you, but I will. Everything you want—I can give you..."

Olivia squeezed her eyes shut. But her grip slackened.