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Chapter 2 Look who it is!

Downstairs, Indigo was covering her face, trying to hold back her sobs.

Theo rubbed his temples, exhausted, and sank into the couch.

Olivia stood stiffly, staring at the shattered fruit bowl that had fallen off the coffee table during the chaos. The broken porcelain and spilled water reflected the fragile state of their so-called "home."

Meanwhile, across the city, in a swanky apartment with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Charles held a cigarette between his fingers, the glowing ember flickering in the darkness.

His phone screen lit up with a new message sent moments ago, short and to the point.

[Find out everything about Olivia.]

The night breeze was cool as he gazed out at the city's neon lights, a determined smirk forming on his lips.

It felt like the prey in the pond had been marked.

Soon, information about Olivia flooded his phone.

Charles swiped through the screen, reading the private investigator's brief on Olivia—simple, clean, just like her. Apart from her half-brother John, there was no extra gossip.

His phone suddenly vibrated, displaying an international number.

He recognized it but was reluctant to answer.

Remembering that the caller's grandmother was a close friend of his own, he reluctantly swiped to answer.

"Hello?"

Charles's voice was cold.

"Charles! It's me, Ava!"

Ava Davis's cheerful voice came through.

"Yeah, I know."

Charles remained emotionless.

"Why are you so cold, Charles?"

"Have you eaten? How's school? I heard you topped the class again!"

"Grandma is here too; she wants to talk to you!"

The phone was handed to a kind but authoritative elderly woman.

Ava knew their families had a special bond, often using her grandmother Uma as an excuse to hear Charles's voice more often.

Despite Ava having expressed her feelings for years, Charles remained indifferent, neither rejecting nor responding.

Ava's heart floated in a pink bubble, fantasizing about her and Charles.

"Charles, it's me."

"I know it's late there, but I need to tell you something."

"Ava is returning next month to attend Celestial University. You need to look after her, okay?"

Charles's gaze lingered on Olivia's photo, her quiet, stubborn expression distracting him.

"Sure, Grandma Uma."

He replied absentmindedly, eager to end the call.

"Good! Ava, say a few more words to Charles..."

Charles patiently listened to Ava's excited plans before interrupting.

"Alright, just contact me when you arrive. Tell Grandma Uma I have to go now."

He hung up before she could respond.

Clearly, meeting Olivia earlier had consumed his thoughts.

The next afternoon, outside Celestial University.

The new "Petal Paradise" flower shop had bright glass windows.

Charles hadn't even stepped out of the car when he spotted the familiar, busy figure.

Olivia wore a simple white T-shirt and jeans, with a green apron tied around her waist.

She was on tiptoe, carefully arranging flowers on the top shelf, her profile serene and focused.

Sunlight streamed through the glass, casting a soft glow on her slender figure.

Charles's lips curled into a smile as he started to approach.

"Look who it is!"

A grating voice interrupted.

A group of guys in Celestial University uniforms, but with a street vibe, approached, led by a blond guy who had been the loudest instigator at the pool hall yesterday, one of John's cronies.

The blond guy loudly addressed his companions.

"Isn't this the 'Williams family daughter'?"

"Why is she working here? Did John kick her out? Or did her mom cut off her allowance?"

"Ha, maybe Johun got tired of her and kicked her out?"

Another guy chimed in, eyeing Olivia's worn canvas shoes.

"How much can this flower shop make? Enough to buy those 'designer' shoes?"

Other customers glanced over.

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