"I'm sorry, Madam, but I can't give you a specific estimate of when the meeting will end."
Madison frowned slightly. "Could you at least tell her that her mother is waiting for her?"
She glanced toward Olivia. "We're going to the mall to shop for Olivia, and I wanted Anne to come with us."
"Of course, Madam." Megan paused. "Please wait a moment while I ask her."
Madison waited patiently.
After a brief pause, Megan came back on the line. "I'm sorry, Madam, but Miss Anne said she won't be able to join you. She's busy right now."
Madison's expression fell. "Can you pass the phone to her?"
She sounded slightly disappointed. "I want to speak with her myself."
There was another brief silence.
"I'm sorry, Madam, but Miss Anne asked me not to disturb her. She said that if you need to discuss anything with her, you can text her directly."
Madison fell silent. Her grip on the phone tightened slightly.
For a moment, she didn't know what to say. "Okay."
Her voice sounded disappointed. "Thank you, Megan."
She paused before adding softly, "Tell her to take care of herself."
"Of course, Madam."
The call ended. Madison slowly lowered the phone. Her expression remained disappointed.
Olivia immediately turned toward her. "What happened, Aunt?" She tried to hide the eagerness in her voice. "What did Sister say? Is she joining us?"
Madison shook her head. "No. She's busy right now. She won't be able to join us for the shopping."
Olivia's smile disappeared. She looked down, pretending to be disappointed. But inside, a completely different thought was running through her mind.
Why isn't she coming?
Her fingers curled slightly.
I wanted her to see how she's going to lose everything that belongs to her.
A cruel smile almost appeared on her lips.
But she quickly controlled herself. When she looked up again, her expression was filled with sadness. "But why?"
She asked quietly. "Is she still angry with me because of my relationship with Jason?"
"No, Olivia." Eva, who had been silently observing the conversation, finally spoke. "It's nothing like that."
Her eyes remained fixed on Olivia. "Anne is simply busy with work."
Olivia glanced toward Eva.
For a moment, their eyes met. Eva's expression was calm, but there was something watchful in her gaze.
Olivia quickly lowered her head. "I understand."
She forced a small smile. "I suppose Sister has more important things to worry about."
She paused. Then, with a hint of sadness in her voice, she added, "I just wish things were different between us."
Madison looked at Olivia sympathetically. She reached out and gently touched her shoulder.
"Don't worry, Olivia. Things will get better."
Olivia nodded. "Yes, Aunt."
She smiled softly.
But behind that innocent smile, her eyes were filled with an emotion no one in the room noticed.
She had no intention of letting things get better between herself and Anne. Not when she had already spent years making sure that Anne slowly lost everything around her.
And now, with Jason's engagement approaching, Olivia believed that everything she had worked for was finally within her reach.
Before Madison could respond, a cold voice suddenly cut through the conversation.
"What happened, Olivia? Why do you look upset?"
Everyone turned toward the voice.
Jason stood behind them, his expression calm but distant. Russ was standing a few steps behind him, quietly waiting.
The moment Olivia saw Jason, the sadness on her face disappeared.
She quickly raised her hand and wiped away the faint moisture gathering at the corner of her eye before turning toward him.
"Nothing, Jason. I was just a little disappointed."
Her voice was soft, almost vulnerable.
Jason's gaze remained fixed on her for a moment before shifting toward Madison.
"Don't be upset, Olivia," Madison said gently, taking Olivia's hand. "You should be happy. You're getting engaged."
"Yes, Olivia," Eva added reassuringly. "I think you're misunderstanding Anne. She isn't angry with you."
"Anne?" Jason's expression changed slightly.
The moment Jason heard Anne's name, his eyes sharpened.
His gaze immediately moved toward Madison. "What about her?"
Before Madison could answer, Olivia quickly stepped in.
"Nothing, Jason. I wanted Sister to come shopping with us, but she said she was busy."
Jason frowned slightly. "But why are you asking her to come?"
His tone was not harsh, but there was a clear edge of irritation in his voice. "It's not like you're shopping for a wedding. You're only preparing for your engagement."
Olivia lowered her eyes slightly before looking back at him with an innocent smile. "I just wanted to spend some time with her. You know how busy she is. I thought it might be good for us to spend some time together as sisters."
Jason stared at her for a moment. "If you already know she's busy, then why are you disturbing her?"
Olivia's smile froze for the briefest moment.
"You can go shopping with Aunt Madison and your mother."
His words were simple, but Olivia immediately noticed the difference in his attitude whenever Anne's name was mentioned.
Her fingers curled slightly.
Anne... Anne...
Every time her name comes up, he becomes irritated.
Does he still have feelings for her?
The thought made the smile on Olivia's face feel increasingly forced. Before she could say anything else, Eva noticed the growing tension and decided to intervene.
"Let's go, Olivia. We should get going."
"Yes, we're getting late," Madison agreed.
She turned toward Eva. "Eva, didn't you once mention that your friend is well known for styling gowns? Is she available today?"
"I spoke to her this morning," Eva replied. "Unfortunately, she's out of town right now."
"Oh, I see." Madison thought for a moment. "Then why don't we go to Imperial City Mall?"
Olivia immediately brightened. "That sounds good."
"All right," Madison agreed. "Let's go."
The women began preparing to leave. Just as they were about to walk away, Olivia suddenly turned toward Jason. "Jason, why don't you join us for the shopping?"
Jason shook his head. "No. I have a meeting to attend. You ladies can go ahead."
Olivia stepped closer and instinctively tried to hold his arm. Jason gently moved his arm away. The movement was subtle, but Olivia noticed it. Her smile stiffened for a moment.
She quickly covered her disappointment and turned toward Madison.
"Olivia, have you informed your mother yet?" Madison asked.
"Oh, I forgot." Olivia lightly smacked her forehead, pretending to have just remembered. "Please wait a moment. I'll call her."
She pulled out her phone and stepped out of the living room. The moment Olivia disappeared from sight, Jason's expression became more serious.
He turned toward Eva. "Mom, I'm heading out. If you need anything, just call me."