"Take this check back, Mr. Rington, before I tear it up in your face!" Olivia slams a thick, stamped piece of paper onto the wooden desk in front of her.
The cream-colored paper trembles softly on the glossy glass surface. An eight-digit number is neatly printed there, shimmering under the crystal chandelier light of Alexander’s office.
Alexander remains seated calmly in his leather chair. His hands are folded stiffly on the desk, revealing a silver watch ticking steadily.
"That’s not hush money, Olivia," Alexander’s low voice drifts, tense with restrained emotion. "That’s Ethan’s right. It’s support for his education and future security."
"Ethan doesn’t need dirty money from a man who thinks his existence can be bought with a check!" Olivia’s shouts ring out loud and clear.
Her dark brown eyes blaze with fury, harboring anger that’s been pent up for five years. Her jaw tightens, holding back the urge to let the tears spill over her.
Alexander slowly stands. His tall shadow blocks some of the light from the lamp, creating a faint aura of intimidation that Olivia quickly dismisses.
"I am his father!" Alexander presses each word with a tone that admits no argument. "The lab results are legally valid, Olivia. You can’t erase the fact that blood runs through that child’s veins!"
"You only became his father last night after that damn paper came out!" Olivia retorts, stepping forward to close the distance without fear. "Where were you when Ethan had a high fever at two years old and I had no money for medicine?"
Alexander falls silent. His lips press tightly, a clear sign of regret etched into his furrowed brow.
"Where were you when Ethan cried at school because he saw other kids being picked up by their fathers?" Olivia’s voice softens, but each word feels like nine lashes stabbing directly into Alexander’s chest. "You’re in this luxury office counting billions, never knowing your own child exists!"
"I never knew you were pregnant!" Alexander interrupts breathlessly. "Do you think I enjoyed five years without knowing my own flesh and blood? I search for that woman every night since that night!"
"You’re chasing a shadow whose face you never bother to look at!" Olivia shouts, pointing at Alexander’s face. "You didn’t know me when I stepped into your office as your employee! You only care now because you see Ethan’s face looks like yours!"
Suddenly, the office door swings open without knocking. Victoria Ashford steps in, wearing a fiery red silk gown that sweeps the floor. Her commanding footsteps, accompanied by high heels, echo arrogantly across the marble floor.
"What a touching family reunion," Victoria sneers with a sulky, cruel smile. "Am I interrupting this dramatic little scene?"
Olivia quickly wipes away a tear threatening to fall. She turns, crossing her arms defensively.
"Victoria," Alexander says coldly, narrowing his eyes with threat. "I didn’t call you into my office. Leave now before I call security."
"You don’t need security to protect the Rington family’s name, Alex," Victoria approaches the desk, casting a contemptuous glance from head to toe at Olivia. "Is this coffee girl trying to blackmail you with her illegitimate child?"
A loud bang hits the desk. Alexander leans forward, face darkening completely.
"Watch your mouth, Victoria!" he roars, his voice booming enough to make the glass vase in the corner tremble slightly. "One more rude word about that kid, and I’ll see you out of this building without any dignity."
Victoria is momentarily stunned but quickly regains her composure. She reaches into her crocodile leather purse, pulls out a thick brown envelope, and tosses it beside Alexander’s check.
"I’ve already checked her background since she first set foot in London," she says coolly, as if reading a weather report. "The Carter family abandoned her five years ago because of her shameful pregnancy. She’s a wild woman, bouncing from one partner to another in Manchester nightclubs before coming back here to trap you."
"Enough!" Olivia screams, her fists clenched so tightly that her nails leave red marks on her palms. "Don’t spread cheap lies to hide your own corruption!"
"Why, Olivia? Afraid your secret gets exposed in front of your new boss?" Victoria steps closer, her floral perfume invading Olivia’s senses. "You’re using that child as a golden ticket to climb a social ladder you’ll never reach."
"I work hard with my brains and my ability!" Olivia asserts, her voice flat. "I’ve never asked for a single cent from this man or from your useless family company!"
"Are you finished, Miss Ashford?" Alexander’s voice cuts in, circling around his desk and standing between Olivia and Victoria.
Victoria looks at Alexander with disbelief. "Alex, I’m trying to help you! This woman is a scammer trying to ruin our wedding plans!"
"Our wedding never existed, Victoria," Alexander cuts sharply. "Get out of my office now."
"Are you throwing me out for this one-night stand?" Victoria’s voice rises with disbelief and anger. "You’re throwing away tens of millions from Ashford Corporation just for this Carter family’s trash?"
Alexander grabs Victoria’s arm. His grip isn’t painful but firm enough to turn her toward the door.
"Your existence at Rington Group ends the moment I say so," he says firmly, opening the door. "I’m canceling all marketing collaborations with your company."
Victoria’s face pales. Her arrogant smile fades, replaced by a fiery glint of revenge in her eyes.
"You’ll regret this, Alexander!" she yells before he slams the door shut in front of her face. "You and this woman will pay dearly for today’s insults!"
"You don’t have to do that," Olivia says softly. "Canceling the Ashford contract will hurt your company’s stock deeply."
Alexander slowly turns back, his gaze softening as he looks at Olivia, losing the usual arrogance he shows in front of the media.
"I don’t care about stocks," he replies. "No one should insult you or Ethan in front of me. Not Victoria, not your family, and no one else in this world."
Olivia shifts her gaze to the large glass window, revealing the foggy London cityscape. "Your protection only makes things worse, Alex. You make me a target for everyone."
"I will protect you and Ethan with everything I have," Alexander promises, slowly approaching as if afraid to make Olivia tighten up again. "Give me a chance to prove it."
"I don’t need your protection!" Olivia quickly turns away. "I need you to stay away from our lives! Let me raise Ethan the way I’ve been doing for five years!"
Suddenly, Alexander’s phone in his pocket vibrates violently, cutting off their heated argument. He reaches for it roughly, about to turn off the call, but the name Daniel appears on the screen, making him hesitate.
"What is it, Daniel?" Alexander asks tersely, trying to hide his anger.
"Alex, you need to get to the hospital now!" Daniel’s panicked voice comes through, breathless, with sirens blaring in the background.
Alexander’s heart seems to stop beating. His eyes flick to Olivia, who now looks at him with suspicion and worry.
"What’s wrong at the hospital?" he asks, voice suddenly cold and sharp. "Speak clearly."
"Someone just broke into Ethan’s hospital room!" Daniel rushes. "The nurse found his caregiver unconscious on the floor with a head wound, and the patient bed..."
Alexander grips his phone until his knuckles turn white. "Finish your sentence, Daniel!"
"Ethan is gone, Alex! He’s been kidnapped!"
Alexander’s phone nearly slips from his hand. All color drains from his face.
Olivia, sensing the drastic change in Alexander’s expression, rushes forward, grabbing his coat sleeve in hysteria.
"What’s happening to Ethan?" she screams. Her eyes widen with deep fear. "Tell me, Alexander! What’s happening to my son?!"
Before Alexander can speak to calm her, the ringing of an unknown number interrupts the tense moment. Olivia’s phone on the desk rings loudly.
Olivia releases her hold on Alexander’s coat, trembling as she picks up her phone, pressing the green button.
"Ethan?" she whispers, her voice caught in her throat.
A cold, piercing laugh echoes from the other end. The voice is very familiar, accompanied by the small sobs of a boy whose mouth is sealed shut.
"Hello, Olivia," Victoria’s voice is gentle but filled with pure cruelty. "Your sweet child is sleeping so peacefully. Do you want to know how much you’ll pay to see him breathe tomorrow morning?"