Chapter 2 Master of Lies

Gordon’s POV

Aunt Eileen handed back the phone she had taken from me, her face still showing traces of anger.

She took a deep breath and forced a slight smile at me. “You’re too soft on Nydia. She’s a habitual liar, hardly ever tells the truth. Saying someone’s stalking her? How could there be such a coincidence?”

“Mom, don’t be upset. Even though my sister likes to lie, she probably wouldn’t joke about something like this,” Olive, who was lying in bed, spoke up at that moment.

Her pale face showed a slight frown, looking quite worried. “What if she’s really in danger?”

Eileen’s brows furrowed again, her expression full of disappointment. “What danger could she be in? She’s just doing this on purpose. Every time you’re sick, she finds a way to trick the people taking care of you into leaving.”

“Maybe this time it’s real,” Olive insisted.

Eileen was firm. “No way. She’s just lying.”

Honestly, I initially agreed with Aunt Eileen, but Olive’s persistent concern started to make me feel a bit uneasy.

I was about to say something when Uncle Frank, who had been silent until now, couldn’t hold back anymore and cut in.

“Your mom’s right,” he said, looking at Olive with a pitying sigh. “You’re just too kind. Didn’t Nydia pull something like this not long ago? Have you forgotten already? Last time she called and said she’d been kidnapped!”

“Exactly!” Eileen chimed in, full of complaints. “It scared me and your dad half to death. We rushed to gather money and went to save her. And what happened? When we got there, she was perfectly fine, with no one around her!”

I knew about that incident too. I even helped gather the money, only to find out it was all a farce.

With Nydia’s track record, the little worry I had for her started to fade away.

Still, thinking about the harsh tone Eileen used with Nydia earlier, I felt the need to stand up for my girlfriend. “Auntie, Nydia lying is wrong, but I hope you can be a bit gentler with her in the future. After all, she is your own daughter.”

“Yeah,” Olive said weakly, giving me a faint smile. “Gordon’s right, Mom. It’s my fault for always being sick and needing you to take care of me. Maybe that’s why Nydia feels you care more about me and thinks she’s being ignored.”

“It’s my fault. Please show more care to her in the future.”

Eileen walked over and held Olive’s hand. “It’s because of her that you’re in this state now. She’s the one who owes you, but she doesn’t even appreciate it. Instead, she acts like you’ve taken everything from her. Ugh, how did I end up with such an ungrateful daughter?”

“Mom, she’s still young. It’s normal for her to not understand things,” Olive said.

Eileen sighed. “If she had even half of your sensibility, I’d be content.”

“Mom, just be more patient with her. Don’t blame her,” Olive continued to plead.

Eileen touched Olive’s face gently and gave in. “Alright, Mom will listen to you.”

Olive hugged Eileen’s waist, nuzzling against her softly. Then, as if something occurred to her, she looked at me and said, “Gordon, Mom and Dad are here with me. If you’re worried, why don’t you go check on Nydia?”

“Olive, you’re such a good girl,” I couldn’t help but say. “But I’ve already promised you I won’t leave tonight.”

“But Nydia… her safety is more important.”

I shook my head. “She’ll be fine. She’s just throwing a tantrum. You rest well. I’ll stay here with you.”

Olive, this kind and thoughtful woman, opened her mouth as if to keep persuading me.

I had to press my finger to her lips and shake my head. “Enough, let’s not talk about her. Just rest.”

“Listen to Gordon. Lie down and rest,” Eileen said with concern, nodding at her. “Your body is still very weak.”

I helped Olive lie back down and touched her forehead. “Your fever’s gone. Good, just sleep a bit more, and you’ll be fine.”

Olive, tucked under the blanket with only half her face showing, had worry in her eyes.

“But, Gordon, if you don’t go look for Nydia, is that really okay? I’m sorry, I’ve messed up your proposal tonight. If only I were healthier, I wouldn’t be such a burden to you all.”

I frowned seriously. “What are you talking about? The car accident was just an accident. And you’re never a burden to me.”

“Gordon…” Olive still bit her lip, looking guilty.

I gently smoothed her lips with my hand. “You’re amazing, Olive. This isn’t your fault. Sleep now, good girl.”

Only then did Olive close her eyes.

Looking at her face, my heart filled with pity.

In the past, Nydia always badmouthed Olive to me, so I mistakenly thought Olive was bullying her.

But later, when Olive saved me from a fire, it completely changed my view of her.

Out of curiosity, I started to look at her differently.

And then I realized, the more I got to know Olive, the more I was drawn to her kindness and beauty.

She wasn’t at all the mean person Nydia described. On the contrary, she was innocent, kind, gentle, cute, and thoughtful.

No word of praise in the world would be too much for her.

That’s when I understood that Nydia had lied to me.

She was just jealous that Uncle and Aunt treated Olive well, thinking they favored her.

But she forgot that Olive’s father died protecting her.

So, it’s only natural for Uncle and Aunt to show a bit more care for Olive.

To put it simply, like Uncle and Aunt, I’m trying to make up for Olive on her behalf.

How can she not see the effort we’re putting in?

Thinking about Nydia’s actions just gives me a headache.

I helplessly rubbed my temples.

At that moment, there was a knock on the hospital room door.

I exchanged a glance with Uncle and Aunt, then got up to open it.

Standing outside was a police officer.

“Is Ms. Olive in this room?” the officer asked.

“I’m here,” Olive replied, woken up by the noise.

I invited the officer into the room, and he said to Olive, “I’m here to ask if you’ve offended anyone recently.”

“She wouldn’t offend anyone,” Aunt Eileen said. “My daughter is known for being kind. A lot of people like her.”

I backed her up. “Yes, officer. May I ask why you’re asking this?”

The officer’s tone was serious. “Here’s the thing: we found the person who hit Olive with their car tonight. He said someone paid him to do it.”

“It has to be Nydia!” Uncle Frank slammed the table in rage. “I know she doesn’t like Olive, but how could she be so cruel?”

I furrowed my brows, not because I disagreed with Frank, but because I shared the same thought.

All this time, I thought Nydia was just immature. I never imagined she’d become so twisted as to try to harm Olive.

How did she turn out like this?

I’m really disappointed.