Chapter 5: Plainspoken

"Ah!" "A ghost!" "There's a ghost!" The moment May Jub saw Olivia Yale standing there, alive and breathing, the blood drained from her face. A shriek tore out of her throat. Her eyes rolled back, and she collapsed on the spot, frightened straight into unconsciousness. Misty Yale was no better. She stared as if she'd been struck dumb, disbelief written all over her face. "No… that's impossible. Absolutely impossible." "The Essence-Devouring Worm can't be cured by anyone. How could you…" Halfway through, she realized what she'd just blurted out. She clapped a hand over her mouth, her expression twisting with panic. Olivia seemed to have understood everything already. Not a ripple crossed her face as she said coldly, "Misty Yale, I'll remember this." "One day, I'll pay you back double." "Someone. See them out." The bodyguards exchanged a glance with Olivia. They were shaken too, unable to make sense of how she had suddenly come back to life. But they were professionals. They didn't ask questions. They moved at once, hustling Misty and May Jub out the door. "Sweetheart… is it really you?" Ethan Yale grabbed Olivia's hand, his whole body trembling with excitement. "Tell me it's real. Tell me I'm not dreaming." "Dad, I'm really alive." Olivia forced a small smile. "Good, good, good… this is wonderful." With his daughter's confirmation, Ethan broke down, laughing and crying at once. "Heaven has shown mercy. Heaven has shown mercy!" "I never thought my daughter would come back to me!" "Hahaha! Our family has hope again!" Gina Warth snorted. "Mercy, my ass. Our daughter came back because of our son-in-law." She had seen it with her own eyes. Liam Cutmore had only patted Olivia's chest a few times, and she had come back like that. It was downright miraculous. "Him?" Ethan let out a scornful laugh. "A convict? What credit does he deserve?" "It was our ancestors blessing us. It was heaven showing mercy." "But since our daughter's alive again, I think this marriage should be canceled." "A convict isn't qualified to step through the doors of the Yale family." Gina's face darkened immediately. "Ethan Yale, what are you saying? You want to repay kindness with betrayal?" "Don't forget, Liam saved our daughter." "She just woke up, and you're already trying to ditch him after you've gotten what you wanted. Are you even human?" Ethan snapped, "How am I not human?" "He's a convict, and our daughter is heaven's chosen." "Tell him to look in a mirror. Does he really think he's worthy of her?" "Ethan Yale, how did I ever marry such an ungrateful bastard!" Gina lunged, claws out, ready to rake him. Before they could truly come to blows, Olivia cut in sharply, "Dad. Mom. I know how to handle this. You don't need to interfere." Hearing their daughter speak, the couple finally stopped. But Gina's tone remained firm. "Olivia, I don't care how you handle it. Liam is the son-in-law I've chosen. No matter what, you can't separate from him." "Hmph. That's not for you to decide." Ethan huffed, turning away. "I trust our daughter. She can see clearly." With that, he stormed out. Watching them leave, Olivia turned to Liam Cutmore. "Come in. We need to talk." Liam followed her into the room. Before he could speak, Olivia said, "I already know the gist of what happened." "My parents arranged a marriage to ward off evil, so they chose to bring you into the Yale family as a live-in son-in-law." "But we're not suitable." She didn't posture. She didn't look down her nose. She was simply blunt, as if she were a true phoenix beyond the nine heavens and Liam were nothing more than an ant. You didn't explain yourself to an ant. That was real pride. Liam frowned. "We haven't even had any contact yet. How do you know we're not suitable?" Olivia's voice stayed calm. "You cured the Essence-Devouring Worm and saved me. You do have some ability." "But the road I'm going to walk is full of danger." "If you follow me, you'll only be dragged into it. You might even lose your life." "Still, I'm not the type to forget a favor." "This is one million dollars. Take it as your reward." She held out a bank card. Liam stared at it, a cold smile creeping across his face. A million bucks, and she thought she could send him packing? Who was she looking down on? "I don't want money." Liam refused without hesitation. "The betrothal is already set. There's no changing it." "If you want to break it off, you'll need to show sincerity." "Sincerity?" Olivia paused, then quickly caught on. "Two million." Liam shook his head. "Three million." "I said I don't want money." Olivia frowned. "Then what do you want?" "You." Liam answered cleanly. Olivia reacted instantly. "You want to sleep with me?" Liam nodded once. "Yeah." Olivia blinked, then laughed. She'd met plenty of straightforward men, but never one this blunt. Interesting. "Over the years, I've seen more suitors than I can count," she said, her eyes narrowing slightly. "But they only wanted my body, and they still put on an act like they were deeply in love with me." "Two-faced. Hypocritical." "But someone as direct as you? You're a first." Liam lifted a shoulder. "We're adults. No point pretending." "And my reason for saving you was simple. I wanted to sleep with you." Olivia pressed her lips together in a faint smile. She didn't seem offended by the provocation. She was a direct person too. She preferred dealing with people who didn't dance around their intentions. "Everyone appreciates beauty," she said lightly. "You wanting to sleep with me is only natural." "But unfortunately, you're not worthy of me." Liam's expression soured. Not worthy of her? He was more than worthy. He was the perfect match, the destined match. She couldn't be more wrong. "I know hearing that makes you uncomfortable," Olivia continued, unhurried. "But reality is cruel." "Besides, I already have a fiancé." "He's the strongest person in this world. If you insist on clinging to me, he'll kill you." When she had woken up, she had immediately ordered her assistant to investigate Liam's background. A convict, yes, but he had gone to prison to take the fall for his brother. Loyal, righteous in his own way. Still, the Northbank Cutmore family was far too insignificant. How could it possibly stand against that man? And even if it could, she would never choose Liam. Because in her heart, there was only that man. After hearing Olivia say she already had a fiancé, Liam frowned again. Wasn't her fiancé supposed to be him? Had she also made a betrothal with someone else? Two-timing? Liam's face hardened. "Then I'd like to hear it. Who's this so-called strongest person you can't forget?" Olivia's beautiful eyes lit up with open admiration. Slowly, she spoke three words. "Rocky Cutmore."