Chapter 4 Work It Off at the Robinson Group

Olivia parted her lips but could only repeat in a weary voice, "I'm sorry."

"I know my mistake cost you dearly, Mr. Robinson. If you're willing to give me a little time, I promise I'll make it right."

Every asset she had was in Austin's hands. She didn't have the strength to go head-to-head with Brandon.

Brandon's expression grew more unreadable. "Miss Smith, are you overestimating your own credibility?"

"Two years ago, you vanished without warning, the project collapsed, and I lost three hundred million dollars. Now I finally catch up with you, and you ask me to wait? Do you really think I'm that easy to fool?"

Olivia's voice sharpened with urgency. "I didn't disappear on purpose. I was in a car accident."

"The accident left me completely blind. I handed all company affairs over to my husband, and that's why I couldn't continue with the project. I've only just recovered..."

"Your husband?" Brandon cut her off, his gaze turning icy as it locked onto her.

A chill seeped into Olivia's bones. She pulled her cloak tighter, pressed her lips together, and gave a small nod.

Brandon's face hardened instantly. After a long pause, he gave a short, cold laugh and looked away. "I see. Congratulations... though I suppose I missed the right moment."

Olivia thought of her broken marriage and couldn't help a bitter smile.

Brandon caught it immediately. He arched a brow, studying her with a thoughtful air. "Well, if you didn't walk away without cause, it's not my style to keep dragging it out."

Relief flickered in Olivia's chest, but before she could thank him, his tone shifted.

"Still, you've got a stain on your record. How about this—come work at my company, the Robinson Group, until you've earned back every cent of the damages."

Olivia stared at him in disbelief. "Me? Work for you? But you just said you lost three hundred million. I'd be working until I'm old and gray."

Brandon didn't flinch. "You're far too capable to be paid market rate. You could run a project single-handedly back then; you can certainly earn your keep now."

He tilted his head as if calculating. "Let's say... a hundred thousand dollars a month. How does that sound?"

Her expression shifted to wary suspicion. But the truth was, she had no other option. Austin couldn't be relied on, reclaiming her assets was unlikely, and offending Brandon now would be a disaster.

Better to keep him placated. At that rate, she wouldn't exactly lose out—especially since she'd spent two years in a hospital. If anything, she'd be coming out ahead.

She drew a steadying breath and met his gaze. "All right, Mr. Robinson, I'll do it. But... can I start in a couple of days? I have personal matters to take care of."

Brandon didn't look surprised. He gave a casual nod. "Of course. Planning to talk it over with your husband?"

Olivia shook her head. "My affairs don't require his input. I've been in the hospital these past two years. Now that I can see again, I need to put certain things—and certain people—in order."

Her tone was light, but her hands were clenched so tightly her nails dug into her palms.

Brandon's eyes flicked to her hands, then back to her face. "Very well. Then let me be the first to welcome you aboard."

When Olivia returned home, it was already five in the afternoon.

She stepped inside and immediately noticed two pairs of shoes by the entryway—one pair of men's leather shoes, one pair of women's high heels—set close together, too close.

She lowered her gaze, then lifted it again. The clarity in her eyes dulled to lifeless glass. Her movements became slow and deliberate as she felt along the wall and changed into her slippers.

"Olivia, where have you been? Why are you only getting back now?"

The sudden voice made the "blind" Olivia flinch. She turned toward the sound, her eyes wide with feigned alarm, then relaxed when she recognized Austin.

"You scared me, Austin. Why didn't you say something? I thought I was alone."

Austin watched her closely, searching her face. His voice was warm, almost tender. "My fault. Come on, watch the step."

He guided her to the sofa. "You've just been discharged. Why aren't you resting at home? It's dangerous out there... if something happened to you, do you know how much that would hurt me?"

Olivia heard the probing in his tone and laughed inwardly, 'Hurt? More like you'd celebrate if I died out there—so your precious Lucia could take my place.'

She bit her tongue hard enough to draw pain, forcing a sweet smile to her lips. "Don't worry. I'm careful. I'd never let anything happen to myself."

Her smile softened. "Do you remember what day next month's fifteenth is?"

Austin blinked, then smiled. "Of course. Our wedding anniversary."

Olivia nodded. "Austin, I'm planning a surprise for you that day. So don't ask me where I'm going, all right?"

She leaned in, wrapping her arms around his and giving it a playful shake.

Austin chuckled and tapped her nose. "Fine, I won't ask. If you're putting in that much effort, I should prepare a surprise for you too."

His voice was light, but his eyes held no warmth—only amusement and quiet scorn.

Olivia's nails dug deeper into her palm. She hugged him tighter, masking the bitterness in her gaze. "Thank you, Austin."

He patted her back. "By the way, Olivia, I've met a top eye specialist recently. Tomorrow I'll take you for a check-up. When you lost your sight because of me, I never said it, but I've carried that guilt ever since. This doctor is famous... let's try again, shall we?"

Olivia smiled. "All right. Whatever you say."

Seeing her calm acceptance, Austin relaxed a fraction. He even chuckled at himself—five specialists had diagnosed her blindness as permanent. He'd been overworked lately, imagining things.

He rubbed his temples, ready to head upstairs, when his eyes froze.

Lucia was descending the staircase, dressed in a thin, provocative slip. In broad daylight, the sight carried an edge of forbidden intimacy.

Austin's throat tightened. He glanced at Olivia, shook his head subtly at Lucia, and forced his tone into casualness. "Olivia, you must be tired after being out so long. Why don't you rest upstairs?"