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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held faint 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,

woman’s features were delicate and gentle, her soft smile so lifelike it felt like she

gaze softened with a nostalgic warmth. Her fingertips brushed the

“She was beautiful, wasn’t she? Just as pretty as your mom. Natasha, after all these years,

That was the day that

which was only getting better, it

kept her distance

discovered, and Madeline and Andrew

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

than Natasha, and as a child, she had been much like Natasha in her teenage years–quiet, gloomy, always

watching her. She didn’t know what that look meant, only that

was lively and kindhearted, a child full of sympathy. Holding fresh flowers from the garden, she had offered them to her sad–eyed aunt.

in stark contrast to

liked her unusually slender aunt. Emilia was always gentle to her, and

her, telling her not to spoil

smile. “Natasha’s blessed. She’s

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Chapter 29

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with her daughter. The kids played together, and

patience, and it had

looking, she

small knife.

her cousin away to protect

running. Natasha

revealing a fresh scratch from the

Olivia had always been well–behaved–she

for the kick, they thought it was just

nearby hospital for a shot. Madeline was

it was Olivia, tomorrow it could be Natasha or the

Emilia, Madeline mentioned she might have to give

who was hiding

the others left, Emilia crouched down in front of Natasha and whispered that if her parents found

protect it, she had to hide it first. Emilia would help her bring it back after her parents

run off. Natasha was worried about it, and terrified the adults would catch and kill