C9 A New Danger

"I haven't said anything wrong. If you don't believe me, just ask Olivia. Have they shared a room since they got married? Are they truly husband and wife?" Rodin's voice boomed.

Olivia was at a loss for words.

Indeed, she didn't believe in a marriage that was only in name, which is why she never allowed Westley to share her bed.

Their communication was virtually nonexistent.

To Olivia, Westley might as well have been invisible.

"If his basic needs aren't being met, it's only natural he'd seek other ways to fulfill them. Surely, he deserves some understanding," Rodin stated with a calm that belied the gravity of his words.

As the head of the Rogers Group, his statements carried weight; he had a knack for turning fallacies into perceived truths.

"I don't know what spell he's cast over you, but this marriage has to end. I refuse to stand by and watch my daughter suffer."

Lauren's anger propelled her to her feet, and she strode toward Westley.

"Mom? What are you doing?" Aimee asked, her voice tinged with alarm.

She feared her mother might strike Westley.

Such an action could escalate the situation dramatically.

"Do you think you can act with impunity just because you have support? That's not happening!" she spat.

"I'll engage the best lawyer to manage my daughter's divorce. I'll do whatever it takes to rid the Rogers Family of vermin like you. That's a promise!"

The bulging veins on her neck were a clear sign to Westley that his mother-in-law was beyond furious.

"Why are you intimidating your son-in-law?" Rodin interjected, attempting to defuse the tension.

"I'm not trying to intimidate him. And as for you, Rodin!"

Lauren's voice was a fierce growl, "If they don't divorce this time, then it's us who will."

With that, she grabbed her purse and left the room in a huff.

Olivia and Aimee exchanged a glance before hurrying after her.

The room fell silent, leaving only Rodin and Westley.

Rodin asked for a cigarette and then stepped aside to smoke.

Halfway through, he exhaled a heavy sigh.

"Westley, you've put up with a lot these past two years," he said.

Westley was taken aback, his exaggerated expression fading to one of icy detachment.

"Feeling wronged or not is beside the point. We each have our reasons. I'm not in the habit of owing favors without cause," Westley replied.

"Why don't I just be straight with Olivia and tell her it's you?"

Westley shook his head, interrupting him with a firm tone. "You'd do well to keep that secret to yourself."

Rodin nodded, a sense of resignation in his gesture. "Ah, she's going to have regrets if she ever learns the truth."

"I've got half a year left before my promise is up. When the time comes, I have to go," Westley stated icily.

"Are your injuries healed?" Rodin asked, surprised.

"Not completely, but I'm about halfway there. I'm confident I'll be fully recovered in six months," Westley replied with a nod.

"That's really good news."

Rodin was about to inquire further when Aimee and Olivia returned, their faces etched with discontent.

He coughed softly, swallowing his words.

"Dad, why didn't you chase after mom?" Aimee asked with a frustrated pout.

"I know your mom's temperament all too well; she's incredibly headstrong. She needs some time to cool off," Rodin explained.

Rodin thought it better to have her out of sight, to give her the space she needed.

'Men are all the same,' Aimee muttered under her breath, her anger carrying her swiftly upstairs.

Olivia was in turmoil and didn't want to face Westley, quickly retreating to her room.

"Olivia, wait a moment," Rodin called out to her.

"Dad, is there something else?" she inquired.

"Starting tomorrow, Westley will accompany you to the company," he directed.

"What?" Olivia was taken aback.

Westley, overhearing the conversation, was equally astonished.

What was he up to?

"Regardless, you two are married. Being together is the only way to grow closer," Rodin said meaningfully, glancing at Westley. "It's time to give Westley something to do. With more time spent together, you can work through any issues between you."

Westley couldn't help but smile inwardly. There had to be a reason behind this.

He was being tactful, not wanting a refusal, so he chose this method to bind Westley and Olivia together.

"I disagree," Olivia stated flatly.

"You don't have a choice," her father countered firmly.

Olivia cast a resentful glance at Westley, suspecting he was behind this arrangement.

Westley could only shrug in response, a picture of innocence. He was truly being accused unjustly.

"Dad, I just can't see what's so special about him. Does he truly deserve your constant protection?"

Tears streamed down Olivia's face as she pressed on, "Does my happiness mean so little to you?"

Her words sliced through Rodin's heart like a knife.

"Your happiness means everything to me. But there will come a day when you'll understand my predicament. This is the decision, and you need to abide by it."

His voice turned icy as he warned, "If not, I won't hesitate to use all my resources to take over your company. Take my words to heart."

Rodin's harshness rivaled that of his wife's.

"Dad, you..."

Olivia's voice broke, choked with emotion, her eyes welling up with tears.

She spun on her heel, retreated to her room, and slammed the door behind her with a resounding "Bang."

Rodin let out a helpless, wry chuckle.

"Father-in-law, you seem to have left out some details when you mentioned this to me," Westley pointed out.

Confronted with Westley's questioning gaze, Rodin offered a smile. "Let's not dwell on it. I'm not entirely sure myself; it's a bit of a gamble."

Without waiting for Westley to respond, he rose to his feet and announced, "I've been on a plane all day and I'm exhausted. I'm going to rest now. You should turn in early too, especially since you and Olivia have an early start at the company tomorrow."

With that, he briskly ascended the stairs.

His agility belied the fatigue he claimed; he moved with the nimbleness of a man who hadn't spent a day in transit.

Watching him make a hasty retreat, Westley shook his head and remarked softly, "He's quite the sly old fox."

But his expression soon grew serious again. 'What's got Old Ye so on edge? Why is he insisting that I stick close to Olivia the entire time?

Could she be facing a new threat?'

Westley's brow furrowed as he sank into deep contemplation in the vast living room.