Olive suddenly understood that the reason Mrs. Hoyle fell ill for a night didnât actually have much to do with her. The reason why Mrs. Hoyle fell ill was because she was conflicted about whether to forgive Ophelia Meyer or not. Perhaps, this made her suffer from acute anxiety.
Olive wasnât surprised by Mrs. Hoyleâs final decision. Perhaps she had prepared since she heard that she was going to visit the prison, so she didnât feel that disappointed.
Alanâs dislike towards Ophelia had risen to a certain stage now. The coldness of his body undoubtedly felt bloodthirsty. After listening to his motherâs words, his eyes went icy.
As for Aoba, like his sister, he had always bad feelings for Ophelia. Although they grew up together, he felt that she wasnât worthy of being sympathized. Seeing something was wrong with his brotherâs face, he laughed and said to their mother, âMom, brother has his own plan in this matter. Youâre not well, so donât meddle. Go to bed and lie down so we donât worry.â
Mrs. Hoyle ignored her youngest son and sat firmly without the slightest intention of getting up.
âOlive, Alan is now belonged to you. Tell me, people have to move on and canât always live in their previous resentment. Since you can let go what I had done to you in the past, you can also forgive Ophelia, right?â
Mrs. Hoyle used to either distantly call her Ms. Steele or Olive Steele with an indifferent voice. It was the first time for her to call her Olive like today.
But Olive never expected that Mrs. Hoyle would gag her mouth with what she had ever said. Suddenly, there was an enlightenment. Mrs. Hoyleâs so-called retreats these days was just to pave to this way.
She also didnât know how honest or fake her enthusiasm shown to Annie these past few days was.
Olive felt like a fish out of the water. She couldnât say anything. In their adult words, it didnât matter if she used her, but she couldnât use her child.
Alan knew what she was thinking. He even saw the light in her eyes go dim. âIn this world, except Olive agrees herself, no one is qualified to force her to forgive those who have hurt her.â
âYouâ¦â Mrs. Hoyle choked. In her opinion, it had reached the greatest height for her son protecting this woman.
But Alan thought that his mother had lost basic principles of life for protecting Ophelia Meyer.
Both mother and son were furious. Their relationship that finally warmed up seemed to be at deadlock again. A smell of gunpowder gradually rose into the air.
Olive wasnât really disappointed. She had long been accustomed to Mrs. Hoyleâs attitude towards her.
Life had long thought her how to adjust herself and not get hurt by external frustration.
As she had ever said to Mrs. Hoyle, in this world, only Alan Hoyle alone who could truly hurt her if he betrayed her, didnât want her, and abandoned her. As for her man, since the day he found her, he had been protecting her under his wings without hesitation. He wouldnât hesitate to challenge all opposing forces.
Suddenly she remembered a sentence that she forgot where she saw it: Even if the whole world betrayed you, I would stand by your side and betray the whole world together.
She had a deep connection with this sentence, because that was what her man did. Thinking of this, she couldnât help but smiled.
To see that she could still easily smiled at this moment confused Mrs. Hoyle, âWhat are you smiling at?â
Olive shrugged in front of everyoneâs gazes, âNothing. I just really admire Mrs. Hoyleâs manner. It looks like you do sincerely treat Ms. Ophelia Meyer as your own child, but it made me remember a story I ever heard when I was young.â
âWhat story?â
âThe farmer and the snake. I believe Mrs. Hoyle know.â
Ada really wanted to clap her hands to praise her. This metaphor was straight on. It was a pity that their mother was still persistent. She doesnât what Ophelia had given her.
âAre you mocking me?â Mrs. Hoyleâs face didnât look good. She knew that Ophelia was the snake, while she was the farmer. Her eyesight had gone bad from old age and couldnât see the true of a personâs heart. But when she thought back, it wasnât like it were without reasons. If it werenât for her trying to bring her together with Alan, or for giving her too much hope, she wouldnât have changed into such extreme and wicked.
âIâm not mocking at anyone. About Ophelia Meyer, I wonât harm her by using this chance to tell Alan my opinion for revenge, but I will never say good things about her. Only the law can judge her. The only thing I can say is, donât hinder Alan from going to justice and not using his power to add some unnecessary charges. As for Alanâs decision whether heâd let her go or not, I wonât intervene. So, I let you guys talk.â Olive turned to leave after saying this.
Alan quickly chased her to the door and ignored Mrs. Hoyleâs shout, âAlan, stop.â
Ada was also pissed. The stack of papers in her hand was thrown to the table. âMom, what do you want? The person who made mistake isnât Olive, itâs Ophelia Meyer. Please be clear which is right and wrong, will you?â
Aoba continued his sisterâs words, âNow the police have evidences pointing to Ophelia Meyer who is guilty of intentional homicide. Itâs not that Alan insists on punishing her, but she brings these all to herself. She asked someone to kidnap Olive that time and caused Uncle Steeleâs car accident. In order not to be found out by Alan, she felt guilty and went mad that she asked someone to kill. If it wasnât because they were lucky, she wouldâve succeeded. Mom, Iâm begging you, donât use Ophelia Meyerâs forgiveness as Olive and Annieâs condition to enter the Hoyle. Itâs because Olive respects you as an elder and understand that it isnât easy for you to be the head of the Hoyle Family under difficulties that she let go the things you had ever done to her. Olive doesnât even care about the Hoyleâs reputation.
Only you still hold on to it like a treasure, thinking itâs a threshold to tempt Olive to yield to you.â
Ada added, âIn Luo City, you asked Ophelia to accompany you to the temple and you guys met Olive.
Did you think she didnât do anything to Olive next to you? Behind your back, she secretly instructed people to do something to Oliveâs car, just like how Finn Meyer dealt Alan. If it werenât for Oliveâs cleverness and composure, driving the car to the suburbs where there were few people and cars, Ophelia would have already killed four people. Is it because she hasnât hurt you yet, so you think sheâs innocent and pure? Mom, this is not the way to protect someoneâs faults.â
Aoba said, âMom, even a blind person can see how Alan treats Olive. If you continue refusing to see this clear, youâll really force Alan to be the Steeleâs son-in-law. It would even be too late for you to regret.â
Both siblings were angry and hated their mother. Alan, who was chasing her, finally caught on Olive and pulled her into his embrace.
âBaby, are you angry?â
Olive lifted up her head and smiled lightly, âNo.â
âIf youâre not, why did you run?â
âIâm afraid that if I stay there longer, I wonât be able to hold back and say more harsh words that itâll make your mother faint from anger. So, who donât I step back?â
Alan stared at her feign smile and his heart ached. âIf you donât like it here, I can take you away now.â
Olive shook her head, âWhat? Running away? Thatâs not Olive Steeleâs style. Go back. The lawyer is still there waiting for your instructions. Donât worry, Iâm fine. My words just now already hurt your mom.
Take it easy with her, sheâs your mother after all.â
If this little matter could bring her down, then all these years had been for nothing. The road to the future was still long. As long as he stayed, she wasnât afraid of anything.
Alan watched her go downstairs with a dark gaze. He only turned around after her back disappeared from his sight.
In the study, Mrs. Hoyle was surrounded by her son and daughter and her face was green. âEnough.
Itâs not your time yet to lecture me.â
The two innocent lawyers were caught in the family dispute. They looked at each other and exchanged a helpless look.
Alan brought in cold wind and looked at Mrs. Hoyle coldly, âThe evidence the police have now is enough to sentence her to jail for at least five years. I can to not prosecute her other things, but after five years, she has to get out of the country. Iâll find someone to find a place for her. Just donât blame me if she can stand it or not.â
How could Mrs. Hoyle fail to understand his implication? That was moving from one cage to another.
But it was better than spending fifteen to twenty five years in prison. Five years later, at least, she could still find some freedom.
If her son was really cold-heart, he would have Ophelia dead. This probably could be considered his most merciful.
Fine. Let her settled for that first. She would discuss it again when it was time.
Alan had his own plan. Five years in prison was just the beginning.
When the lawyers left, the night had completely fallen. Their meals had been prepared as ordered by Alan, but they didnât dare to stay to have dinner together. The atmosphere in the Hoyleâs residence was heavy. Even if they were hungry, it was too awkward to eat, so they left in a hurry.
Alan didnât saw Olive and his daughter, so he asked the servant, âWhere are madam and the little lady?â
The servant answered, âMadam took Ms. Annie for a walk and said she would be back soon.â
Aoba approached his sister in worry and whispered to her, âSis-in-law isnât mad at mom that she left, right?â
âShut your mouth.â Ada pinched him. She didnât think Olive was that weak.
Alan took his car key and walked out of the door without saying anything. The lights were on and the weather was warm. He searched along the road and dialed Oliveâs phone to find no one picked up.