NovelEnglishChapter 76
As Mom diced garlic with practiced ease, Grandma hummed a tune | recognized from my childhood. It was the
slullaby she used to sing when | scraped my knee after falling off my
bike.
| squeezed my chest. “Remember when | insisted | could ride
without training wheels?”
Grandma chuckled. “And promptly crashed into that hydrangea
bush.”
Mom laughed-first genuine laughter I'd heard in days. “You
cinside, shrub in hand.”
We set the pot on the burner, the spicy aroma filling the
kitchen. The chemistry between us felt different-like we'd all
stepped back into a version of h| hadn't realized | missed.
Over the simmering sauce, | took a steadying breath. “So... | need
to tell you both something.”
Grandma glanced at me, eyebrows knitting. Mom stopped
stirring pasta water.
“I've decided to finalize the divorce,” | said firmly, though my
heart fluttered. “I want it. I'm done with the Hawthrone .”
Mom set down her spoon, reaching out to grasp my hand. “You're doing what's best for you, Liv.”
Grandma, stirring sauce, murmured, “Best for your head and
heart.”
| lifted a spoonful of sauce to taste it. It was perfect-my version
of home. “I'll leave for New York in three days.”
Mom wrapped her free arm around me. “We'll miss you,
sweetheart. But you're strong.”
“Thank you,” | whispered.
Lunch was warm-literal and emotional. We shared memories:
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtGrandma's funny stories about my childhood teeth-brushing
rebellion, Mom's half-remembered college adventures when
she first dreamt of motherhood. My worry melted with each
anecdote.
Between bites, Mom sipped water thoughtfully. “Are you sure,
Liv?”
I swallowed. “This is small tonow. I've lost more than | ever
expected, but I'm not losing myself.”
Grandma hummed in agreement. “The world may shake, but
you stand steady.”
After lunch, sunlight streamed through the windows. | combed
through my phone one last time-news still roiled online, but |
recognized something: people were polarizing, but lines had
been drawn. And now, the other party had more to lose.
My phone buzzed. It was Lily-my former subordinate. |
stepped onto the porch, something in Lily's tone unusual.
“Olivia,” she whispered, voice loaded. “I've got an info.”
“What's that?”
“It’s about Hawthrone’s loan-Eclipse Bank just froze the second
phase. All funds blocked.”
My heart sank. “Blocked? Why?”
“Alpha Ethan ordered it. He said the negative publicity was
wrong for the project. Told Windsor he loved only you-and
refused to marry Chole.”
| closed my eyes. So even he... My chest tightened. “Lily, are they
arguing with Windsor now?”
“Yes. Windsor’s plan is unraveling. They're fighting hard-
threats, pressure, accusations. It's chaos.”
“During a dispute between the Windsor family and the
Hawthrone family, Mr. Windsor learned that the loan had been
frozen.”
Chapter 76
Olivia's POV
It finally hit me—Alpha Alexander had
stood up for me.Quietly, efficiently,
without fanfare, he frag Jaker(adtion
| ©
the momeft the slanderous press
release dropped. | hadn't asked him. |
hadn't even known he would. But he
did. And not just for show. The
content is on novelenglish.net! Read
the latest chapter there!
By freezing the loans tied to the
Hawthrone and Windsor families,
he'd put them bothin a yoraer) Ath
twisnthe World debated my
worth, he'd spoken through action.
He made it known that | was not to
be trampled. That | washis secretary.
| didn’t need to ask for a shield.He gaveone.
That thought warmed something deep in my chest. It didn’t solve everything, not yet, but it reminded| had
something to fall back on. A stable place to rebuild. Not just physically, but
mentally. | wasn’t entirely alone anymore.
The car ride back to New York felt lighter than it had in days.
The wind through the cracked window, the soft hum of tires on
asphalt, even the rhythm of my own breathing-it all felt like a
small victory.
| pulled into a highway service area just past noon, near a
wooded stretch that usually stayed quiet. | wanted to stretch my legs, maybe grab a snack.
| was still gathering myself when Yve stirred.
Chapter 76
“Look left. That man-sone from three nights ago.”
My body didn’t flinch, but my heart dropped. | kept my eyes trained on the mirror instead of turning outright. |
saw him.
Leaning against the side of a
weathered gray sedan was a man,
maybe in his forties. Brown lester
jacket, hes ypcsredird a casual
clgarbtte between his fingers, phone
pressed to his ear. He was facing
sideways, but his gaze
flickered—almost too often -in my
direction. The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
Three nights ago, at a convenience store just outside the city, | had seen that sman. He had stood behind
the chip aisle pretending to browse, yet his reflection in the cooler doors gave
him away. Now here he was again.
| didn’t panic. Icouldn’tpanic.
Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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