FULL NOVELXO Chapter 13
Chapter 13
In the quiet hall, a clock on the snowy–white wall chimed with a gentle
tone.
It was exactly eight o’clock on the dot!
Members of the Taylor family, who were coming downstairs, happened to meet Olivia face to face as she entered through the main entrance. Olivia walked up to members of the Taylor family and nodded at them. Then, she shifted her gaze toward Liam and addressed him. “Grandpa,” she said.
This word completely alleviated the sense of uncertainty among everyone in the hall.
Everyone thought, “So, she is the precious darling of the Taylor family who went missing for 18 years!”
All the previous negative speculations, malicious talks, and mocking glances froze at this moment.
There was even a hint of astonishment deep within their hearts.
Everyone thought, “So, this is the true socialite. She has light makeup, and she wears a red dress. Without saying anything, she calmly captivates everybody in the entire hall with her elegance.”
Unknowingly, everyone faded into the background.
“Damn!” Ethan’s friend, who had been joking around with him, muttered a curse under his breath. Then, he suddenly stood up.
His sudden movement caught the attention of the people around him, and all of them looked at him.
That friend of Ethan did not look at anyone else. He only looked at Ethan. “Ethan, let me ask you something,” he said. “Are you really not interested in this Olivia?”
Ethan, who had already sensed his friend’s intention, had a grim expression. His jaw was tense, and he displayed a clear expression of displeasure.
His friend chuckled softly and said, “Ethan, don’t be too greedy.” Upon saying that, his friend walked ahead.
Olivia managed to rush over in time. This relieved all members of the
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Taylor family.
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Liam looked at his granddaughter worriedly and said, “Where did you go?”
Olivia smiled at him and said, “A friend brought me here.”
Liam nodded. He no longer said anything further. “This isn’t the place to talk things out,” he thought. “I will inquire more after the banquet is over.” Liam then held Olivia’s hand and walked to the very front of the hall to announce Olivia’s identity before everyone in the hall. “From now on, she is the Miss Olivia of the Taylor family,” he said.
Liam also mentioned giving Olivia a portion of Taylor Group’s shares in advance.
As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd immediately started buzzing with astonishment and disbelief.
Among the Taylor family’s grandchildren, only William, who was the eldest grandson, held shares. The rest, like Emma and David, did not have any. And now, this recently found Olivia managed to acquire shares ahead of them.
In an instant, everyone gained a clear understanding of Olivia’s position within the Taylor family.
The crowd exclaimed, “She truly lives up to her status as the biological granddaughter. Even if she wasn’t raised in the Taylor family, she’s still favored.”
Those who were more perceptive began directing their gaze toward Emma.
Sensing the speculative or ill–intentioned gazes from the crowd, Emma suppressed her negative emotions and put on a composed and dignified demeanor.
She thought, “At this moment, I absolutely can’t lose my composure. I can’t allow myself to become a subject of ridicule.”
Sooner or later, she would give these ill–intentioned people a resounding slap in the face. At the same time, she would let everyone know that she, too, was a true Miss Taylor of the Taylor family.
After the announcement, it was time for the dance party.
The opening dance was definitely performed by Olivia.
But whom would she dance with?
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Liam’s gaze fell upon Ethan.
Emma, who had been keeping an eye on Liam and Olivia, noticed immediately.
She involuntarily clenched her fist.
She thought, “No. This can’t happen. I absolutely can’t let Ethan and Olivia dance together. It would send a signal to everyone that the person forming a marriage alliance with the Turner family isn’t me anymore, but Olivia.
“I can let her have anything, but I can’t let her have Ethan.”
With this in mind, she suddenly said, “Ethan, do you have a suitable friend over there who could dance the opening dance with Olivia?” One remark effectively stopped Ethan from participating in the opening dance.
Liam glanced at Emma. His expression turned displeased.
Ethan sized up Olivia, who stood beside Liam. He looked at her with keen interest and curiosity as he said, “Nope.”
He shrugged with both hands raised. He said, “No suitable candidates, but…” His tone changed. He then looked directly at Olivia and continued, “I can do it.”
After he finished talking, Emma’s complexion instantly turned pale.
She looked at Ethan in disbelief, not understanding why he would say that. She thought, “Does he not care about me at all?”
Liam was pleased with Ethan’s attitude. He found Ethan someone with tact as well as someone who knew how to behave appropriately. He smiled warmly and held Ethan’s hand, his gaze affectionate. “I’ll leave Olivia in your care,” he said. “Look after her.”
In front of the elders, Ethan no longer carried himself with a frivolous demeanor that he used to have. Instead, he appeared as a gentle and dependable young man.
He smiled brightly at Liam. Then, he extended his right hand toward Olivia, giving her an inviting gesture.
Olivia did not really mind who her dance partner was. For her, dancing was just like everything else she did today. It was all about making her grandfather happy. Once today was over, she would move out.
She had more important matters to attend to.
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Olivia raised her hand. Just when she was about to place it in Ethan’s palm, he withdrew his hand.
Right after that, he strode over to Emma, who stood behind Amelia. He spoke with a sense of anxiety, “Emma, what’s wrong with you?”
The current Ethan was completely different from his previous state. Olivia could sense that this was his true emotion.
He was genuinely worried and anxious.
“Hold on for a moment,” Ethan said. “I’ll take you to the hospital.” With that, he lifted Emma horizontally and quickly headed toward the door. When he passed by Olivia, he did not even stop walking. He walked past her.
Samuel and Amelia hurriedly followed. David followed as well.
In their haste to leave, they did not even give a word of explanation, completely overlooking the central figure of this banquet.
In the blink of an eye, most of the members of the Taylor family had left. Suddenly, everyone fell silent.
Everyone was uncertain whether they should be concerned about Emma’s health or continue to show hospitality to Olivia.
Everyone remained composed, furtively sneaking a glance at Liam’s expression, wanting to know whom he valued more in his heart.
Facing the gazes of everyone, Liam held his cane in silence.
Being a business tycoon who had navigated through various challenges and difficulties, he would not let others easily discern his true emotions. However, the butler who had served in the Taylor family’s house for decades knew that Liam was angry, and very angry at that.
The current situation was really difficult to handle. Liam was caught in a dilemma.
Liam could let everyone continue to show hospitality to Olivia and celebrate her return. Although everyone would understand that Olivia held more importance in Liam’s heart, it was inevitable that Olivia might be labeled as cold and heartless.
Everyone would think, “Olivia’s sister is ill, yet she’s staying at the banquet instead of visiting her sister at the hospital.”
However, if the banquet were to be canceled, it would damage Olivia’s reputation even more.
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The banquet was clearly meant to introduce Olivia with grandeur. It was a moment of marking her entry into society. However, if the banquet were to be suddenly canceled, to outsiders who were unaware of the situation, it would appear that the Taylor family did not value Olivia. Caught in such a dilemma, even Liam, who was wise and skilled in dealing with various situations, did not know what to do.
On the one hand, everyone looked at Liam. On the other hand, they secretly observed Olivia, wanting to see her reaction.
Ordinary people would surely find themselves embarrassed and helpless in such a situation. People with poor emotional resilience would likely end up crying.
However, as everyone’s gaze fell upon Olivia, they noticed something. She was actually unperturbed!
Her expression was calm. It was without any visible signs of emotion or disturbance. She showed no concern for Emma, nor did she display any embarrassment from the disruption of the welcoming banquet. She stood there quietly.
Even Liam was very surprised, let alone others. He had expected that his granddaughter would feel aggrieved or annoyed. At the very least, he expected her to show some displeasure.
However, she was remarkably composed. She was like a figurine carved from ice and snow that was devoid of sorrow, joy, hatred, and anger.
“Olivia,” Liam spoke up. He wanted to ask Olivia what she was thinking, but he did not know how to phrase the question.
Liam did not manage to ask, but someone else voiced the question on his behalf.
“Miss Olivia is really composed. Her own sister is in such pain, yet she shows no reaction at all. How heartless!” The person who spoke up was one of Emma’s pursuers, who saw himself as Emma’s guardian knight.
He really could not stand Olivia’s indifferent demeanor.
Olivia turned her gaze, looking at him coldly. She did not lose her temper because of his remarks. Instead, she appeared somewhat puzzled. “What reaction should I have?” she asked.
Emma’s pursuer was left speechless. “Don’t you have a shred of sympathy?” he said. “Emma is in so much pain.”
Olivia frowned. There was finally a change in her expression. She looked
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at him with a hint of puzzlement and cal. Tre just a mild case of neurogenic gastritis. Taking some oryzanol tablets can ease it. Are you going to sob as if your father died just because he’s stressed and losing hair?*
Errama’s pursuer was at a loss for words.