nfortunately. Maxwell was complendy diallusioned with her and wand not show her even a shred of mercy
his thinking about how he had been blind enough to fall for sith a woman, allowing himself to be played like a fool, made him sick
to Jus stomach
He waved his hand, signaling the bodyguards to take Olivia away.
Olivia was utterly devastated. In her final moment before being dragged into the basement, she asked him one question:
“Maxwell, did you ever truly love me? You constantly claimed to love me, but if it was real love, shouldn’t you accept all my flawa?
I did love you,” Maxwell replied after a moment of silence, his tone detached.
“However, I can’t tolerate deception, and I didn’t love you enough to accept all your flaws. From the beginning. I never truly understood you as a person. I only loved the façade you presented to me.”
After speaking his mind, he couldn’t help but let his thoughts wander-
He had once been so good to Olivia, genuinely intending to be with her.
If Olivia had been innocent, perhaps today’s surprise would indeed have been a proposal–he might have actually married her.
But there are no “ifs” in reality.
In truth, even if Maxwell had married Olivia, he could never have completely let go of Jessica.
His feelings for Jessica had long been etched into his very bones, becoming a habit.
The profound emotions they once shared could never be erased.
Hearing Maxwell’s words, Olivia laughed bitterly.
Having reached this point, she was powerless to change anything. He didn’t love her enough–which was fine, because neither did
she.
She had done everything for money and status. She could have kept up the pretense forever, but he would never believe her again.
She was finished. Everything was over.
With this thought, a crystalline tear rolled down her cheek, disappearing into the floor.
Olivia allowed herself to be dragged into the basement, where numerous bodyguards took turns beating her.
The relentless fists fell like raindrops on her body, making her internal organs feel as if they were being displaced.
Several distinct cracking sounds indicated broken bones, accompanied by excruciating pain.
Her face turned as white as paper, her entire body drenched in cold sweat, as if she’d been pulled from water.
Yet the bodyguards only followed Maxwell’s orders, showing her no mercy whatsoever.
After all, with a doctor standing by, broken bones could be set later–as long as she didn’t die, it was fine.
After countless days and nights, Olivia’s injuries would heal only to be replaced by new ones, repeating endlessly until she became completely numb and hopeless.
12:12
His Harmless‘ 10–Year Fling? My Secret Divorce Papers Say Goodbye Forever!
61.5%
་་་་
Suddenly, the basement door opened again. Maxwell unhurriedly approached Olivia, coldly observing her battered body.
“Olivia Grant, your punishment is temporarily over. You’re free to go.”
His words sounded like heavenly music, but Olivia remained stunned for a long time, unable to believe what she’d heard.
‘You… you’re really letting me go? You’re truly going to spare me?”
Her voice was hoarse and unpleasant, clearly having endured too much toriment and suffering.
Maxwell nodded impassively.
Yes, you may leave.” But I’m not sparing you.
He kept the second half of the sentence to himself, waiting to see Olivia’s fate unfold.
Mere physical punishment wasn’t enough. She had stolen Jessica’s work–naturally, she would have to return everything.
Olivia didn’t think too deeply about it. At this point, as long as she could leave, nothing else mattered.
She crawled out, half–rolling, breathing in the taste of freedom.
The mansion’s main gate wasn’t locked, standing open as usual.
Olivia didn’t dare ask Maxwell to send her home, instead walking far down the mountain before hailing a taxi.
However, she failed to notice Maxwell’s car following at a discreet distance behind her.
Upon returning to the university, Olivia covered her face as she ran toward her dormitory.
But along the way, students who spotted her regarded her with contemptuous looks, whispering among themselves.
She didn’t think much of it, assuming it was because of her disheveled appearance.
It didn’t matter–once she cleaned herself up, they might not even recognize her.
However, when she reached her dormitory, she found a group of classmates glaring at her with disgust and disdain.
