Their Villain, The Mogul's Beloved

hapter 29

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On this day, the sharp–tongued Natasha became as meek as a little white rabbit, letting people mold and squeeze her without the slightest resistance.

After more than ten years of dealing with her, Olivia already knew the pattern by heart.

Sure enough, when Noel jumped in, saying he was strong enough to help, Olivia turned him down. She said, “Boys can be rough.”

Without a word, Natasha headed upstairs.

Olivia glanced back and playfully winked at her parents, as if to say, See? Nailed it.

Olivia had said early that morning she would try to find a chance to ease things with Natasha. So Andrew and Madeline naturally assumed she was making an effort to show kindness to her sister.

The two watched their daughters head upstairs with satisfaction.

Noel wanted to follow, but Thomas, seeing right through their parents‘ plan, stopped him.

***

Jpstairs, Olivia didn’t go to her own room. Instead, she stopped in front of Natasha’s bedroom loor.

That room had originally been a guest room. After Olivia moved into the Clark household, Natasha gave her original room to Olivia.

All because Olivia said Natasha’s room had a view of the tree in the garden that her own mother had planted by hand.

Back then, Natasha had been upset, but Olivia had lost her mother, so she let her have it. If it made her sister happy, then so be it.

And that one concession lasted more than a decade. Olivia’s ambitions had since grown far beyond just the bedroom.

“Sorry, Natasha, Olivia said, “my walk–in closet’s too small, and Dad had it expanded, so for now Mom said I could stay in your room. You don’t mind, right?”

With that, Olivia pushed the door open, only to find no sign of life inside.

The lighting wasn’t great here, and ever since Olivia moved downstairs next to Thomas, the room had only been used for storage.

Natasha hadn’t stayed here for years. Madeline used to have the maids clean it daily, but after Olivia took over, she never let anyone in again.

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Chapter 29

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Olivia waved her hand in front of her nose in distaste

worn, and lying on top was a

instantly–it was

delicate and gentle, her soft smile so lifelike it felt like she was looking right at her. Natasha’s throat tightened,

a nostalgic warmth. Her fingertips brushed the painted cheek where the

as pretty as your mom. Natasha,

That was

getting better, it was

kept her distance from Madeline

Madeline and Andrew helped her get divorced. Emilia moved back

that did Emilia occasionally visit the Clarks, though not often–too much happiness on one side only gnawed at the other like ants in

was two years older than Natasha, and as a child, she had been much like Natasha in her teenage years–quiet, gloomy, always carrying injuries, living in the

Olivia secretly watching her. She didn’t know what that look meant, only that it was heavy

from the garden, she had

stark contrast to

was always gentle to her,

telling her not to

would just smile. “Natasha’s blessed. She’s

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Chapter 29

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Emilia arrived early with her daughter. The kids played together, and Natasha

with patience, and it had grown sweet and obedient. Her parents had even agreed to let

didn’t like it. When Natasha wasn’t looking, she kicked it

small knife.

shoved her cousin

wailed loudly, and the adults came running. Natasha

lifted her hand, revealing a fresh scratch from the cat. The red mark stood out

had always been well–behaved–she couldn’t possibly hurt

thought it was just a startled reaction

Andrew took Olivia to the nearby hospital for a shot. Madeline was angry and a

wild–today it was Olivia, tomorrow it could be Natasha

chatting with Emilia, Madeline mentioned she

who was hiding behind the couch, but

that

first.

had already run off. Natasha was worried about it, and terrified the adults