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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traces of dust. Olivia waved her hand in

still in place but already worn, and lying on top

it instantly–it was Olivia’s mother,

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

with a nostalgic warmth. Her fingertips brushed the painted cheek

Just as pretty as your mom. Natasha, after all these years, do you even remember

course Natasha remembered. That was the day that changed her

wrong man. Compared to Madeline’s life, which was only getting

Emilia had kept her distance from

her marriage was discovered, and Madeline and Andrew helped her

much happiness on one side only gnawed at the other like

child, she had been much like Natasha in her teenage years–quiet, gloomy, always carrying

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

Natasha was lively and kindhearted, a child full of sympathy. Holding fresh flowers from the garden, she had offered them to

smile stood in stark contrast to the prematurely mature daughter

Emilia was always gentle to her, and even with Olivia

often scolded her, telling her not

“Natasha’s blessed. She’s here to

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Chapter 29

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The kids played together, and Natasha eagerly took

it as a stray, tamed it with patience, and it had grown

she kicked it hard, then tried to stab it with

small knife.

shoved her cousin away to protect

loudly, and the adults came running. Natasha immediately told her parents what

fresh scratch from the cat. The red mark

one believed Natasha. Olivia had always been well–behaved–she

it was just

took Olivia to the nearby hospital for a shot. Madeline

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

mentioned she might have to give the

who was hiding behind

of Natasha and whispered that

to hide it first. Emilia would help her bring it back after her

kitten, injured by Olivia, had already run off. Natasha was worried