"Yes."
"Stay there. Don't leave. I'm coming."
Olivia lowered her head.
"Mom, please hurry."
The call ended.
Vanessa laughed.
"Your mother? Seriously?"
Olivia looked at her.
"Yes. My mother."
Vanessa shook her head.
"Do you really think bringing your family into this will change anything?"
Olivia answered quietly.
"I don't know. But at least my family won't stand beside someone who has just broken my heart and pretend nothing happened."
Daniel looked increasingly nervous.
Vanessa noticed.
"Daniel, why are you looking so worried?"
He shook his head.
"Nothing."
But it was not nothing.
Daniel knew Olivia's mother.
He had met her several times.
He also knew that she had spent decades building a successful company.
What he didn't know was how much Olivia had already discovered about his business dealings.
And that was the secret he was most afraid of.
CHAPTER 3: THE MAN WHO CHOSE THE WRONG SIDE
Daniel Carter had always considered himself an ambitious man.
He grew up in a middle-class family and spent much of his adult life trying to become wealthy.
He admired expensive cars, luxury hotels, designer watches, and people who appeared to have everything.
When he met Olivia, he believed she was the perfect partner.
She was intelligent, kind, and emotionally supportive.
More importantly, she never judged him when he had very little money.
During the early years of their relationship, Daniel struggled to establish his consulting business.
He borrowed money.
He worked long hours.
He faced rejection from potential investors.
Olivia encouraged him through every setback.
She even introduced him to several professional contacts through her family.
Eventually, his business began growing.
His lifestyle changed.
He purchased expensive clothing and started attending exclusive events.
He became increasingly interested in the wealthy social circles that once seemed unreachable.
That was when Vanessa entered his life.
Vanessa worked in corporate communications and had connections with several influential businesspeople.
She understood how to impress executives.
She knew which restaurants to visit, which events to attend, and how to make people believe she belonged among the wealthiest individuals in the city.
Daniel became fascinated by her.
At first, their relationship was professional.