Olivia gasped loudly as Sebastian's fist landed on Desmond's jaw. She watched as blood trickled down from Desmond's lips. Olivia knew how much damage Sebastian's fists could do, she had been struck by them for years.
Desmond in turn, pushed Sebastian onto the table full of glass and cutlery, then punched him in the gut. The two men struggled, landing punch after punch on each other while people watched.
The hall was in absolute chaos. Everyone wanted to get a glimpse of the two billionaires fighting like animals and the woman they were fighting over.
Eventually, Sebastian and Desmond were successfully separated and escorted out of the hall by security. Their faces were covered with cuts and bruises.
Olivia followed them out of the hall, and so did a stream of reporters and curious guests who wanted to witness and record more of the fight.
"You bloody bastard!" Sebastian cursed. "I will destroy you!"
Desmond chuckled confidently. "You don't know me, Sebastian Gilbert." He wiped the blood off his lips with the back of his hand. "I will wait."
Sebastian suddenly turned to Olivia, glaring at her with bloodshot eyes. He was beyond furious.
"You." He scowled. "I'm going to end you and that useless daughter of yours!"
Sebastian made his way to his Rolls Royce, instructing his driver to drive off without Olivia.
Olivia was conflicted. Following her husband home seemed like a fool's mission, but that was the only option she had if she wanted to see her daughter again. Laurel was still with Sebastian's mother, Priscilla. Olivia shuddered at the thought of her little girl growing up under the care of Priscilla Gilbert.
"Blondie." Desmond called, interrupting Olivia's thoughts. He walked up to her, ignoring the reporters who were watching and filming them. "Are you alright?"
Olivia nodded. "He didn't touch me."
Olivia turned to leave but Desmond stopped her. "Where do you think you're going?" He asked.
"Home." She sighed, defeated.
Desmond raised a brow, confused. "Are you crazy? You heard him, he will hurt you."
"I have a daughter, Desmond." Olivia stated. "I'm going back for her."
Desmond scoffed. "This is crazy." He stepped closer to Olivia, cupping her face in his hands. "He could kill you. When will you ever put yourself first?"
Olivia felt her temper rising. How dare Desmond act like he cared about her wellbeing after putting her in a difficult position?
"None of this would be happening right now, if you didn't broadcast those pictures and videos for everyone to see!" She accused.
Desmond frowned. "I did not." Olivia scoffed, not believing him. "I swear to God, I did not. How would I have access to Colbert Industries' systems?"
Olivia searched for signs of dishonesty in his stunning blue eyes, but found none. No, Desmond would not do that to her. She could tell that he really cared about her.
"It has to be Miranda Colbert." She concluded. "She hates me because Sebastian ruined her plans by marrying me instead of her daughter." Olivia said.
It made sense that Miranda would try to destroy Sebastian and Olivia's marriage. What the woman did not know was that the marriage had been in shambles for a long time. This was just the last straw for Sebastian, who cherished a good, clean public image.
"Let me come with you." Desmond suggested. "I want to be there to protect you."
Olivia was touched by his words, but she knew that she had to face Sebastian alone.
"You've done enough." She walked away, leaving Desmond outside the hotel, confused and worried.
Olivia took a cab back home, rehearsing the words she would say to her husband. Undoubtedly, he would kick her out of their home, but she would demand that Laurel would be brought home first.
The front door was wide open when Olivia got home. She walked into the living room , avoiding the pieces of broken glass and ceramics on the floor. She knew that Sebastian, in his rage, had thrown and shattered several cups and vases.
"You!" Olivia heard him yell from the kitchen.
Instinctively, she crouched to the floor as a mug was thrown across the room.
Sebastian walked towards her. "You stupid wench!" He grabbed her by her arm, pushing her against the wall. "You have the nerve to cheat on me? And with Desmond Wrightwood of all people!" He shouted.
Olivia winced. Her back was aflame with pain after Sebastian slammed her against the wall.
"You've been disloyal for much longer." She argued.
"I didn't think you had it in you." Caroline, who was sitting and watching the couple, laughed mockingly. "You look and act so innocent. What a hypocrite."
Olivia ignored her. "The only hypocrite I see here is you, Sebastian."
Sebastian's eyes darkened. He grabbed Olivia by her neck, lifting her off her feet and choking her.
"You've embarrassed me in front of all those people!" He shouted whilst Olivia struggled to unwrap his hands from her neck. "My business associates! Rivals! The public! They're all laughing at me!"
Olivia was choking, but she was determined to speak. "Wait until they find out all you've done to me."
Sebastian immediately dropped her, confused. "What are you talking about?"
Olivia was gasping for air for several seconds. She looked up at her husband with absolute hatred in her eyes, wondering how she had ever loved the monster he was.
"I have pictures of my bruises as well as recordings of your abuse." She rose to her feet. "They are safely tucked away and would be released if any harm comes to me. You might be granted a bail, but Gilbert Technologies would never recover from the controversy."
Sebastian took a few steps back, shocked. He wiped the beads of sweat that were gathering on his forehead. "You wouldn't dare." He managed to say.
Olivia smirked as she watched her husband and his mistress exchange nervous looks. "Try me." She challenged. "I want Laurel back home tomorrow, husband. Or the world will see the monster you really are."
Sebastian stared at Olivia like he was seeing a new person. He had never seen her speak and act so boldly before.
Satisfied by the look of defeat on her husband's face, Olivia started walking up to her room, majestically. This time, she held all the cards. Sebastian's brutal reign over her was over.
Olivia stopped in her tracks, realizing that she had one more thing to do. She had to make sure it was done for good. She turned to look at her husband and met the cold green eyes of the man she had fallen in love with so many years ago, the man she had loved for most of her life.
"I want a divorce." She stated firmly.
Olivia watched Sebastian's eyes widen in shock. For the ten years of their marriage, she had never suggested a divorce. Yet here she was, demanding for one. Sebastian knew Olivia was an orphan with no real family or home to return to. He and Laurel were the only family she had and for so many years, he had been absolutely certain that no matter how badly he treated her, she would never want to let go of their family.
"You're bluffing." Sebastian said.
"I'll call the lawyer." Olivia fired back, then continued her walk up to her room.
Olivia did not know where she got the courage, but she was glad she finally initiated a divorce. The marriage was over a long time ago anyways.
Olivia stayed awake till dawn, thinking and preparing for life after a divorce. Would she move to another country? The divorce settlements she would receive would be more than enough for her to start up a new life with her daughter.
She did not exit her bedroom till noon, when she watched from her window as a small convoy pulled up in the driveway. It was Priscilla Gilbert's convoy. Olivia hurried downstairs, eager to welcome her daughter.
Sebastian and Caroline, who were standing by the front door, glared at her as she appeared.
"Laurel's home." Sebastian said through gritted teeth.
Olivia stood by the door, a few steps away from her husband and his mistress. Excitement grew within her as she watched Priscilla and Laurel make their way towards the mansion. She could not wait to take her daughter far away from the Gilberts and never return.
Laurel's footsteps quickened the moment she saw her mother.
"Mother." Sebastian greeted Priscilla, who hugged him tightly in return.
Olivia frowned as she noticed that Laurel wore a scarf, knowing that her daughter never liked scarves.
Olivia pulled her daughter into an embrace, but quickly realized that something was wrong. Laurel's body felt like a bag of bones. She had lost a considerable amount of weight and was running a high temperature.
"Are you okay, sweetheart?" Olivia asked.
She studied her daughter's face. The little girl looked pale and sickly, with visible dark circles.
"I feel sick, mummy." Laurel slurred before closing her eyes and falling against her mother's body. She started bleeding profusely from both nostrils.
Olivia's heart sank in fear. "Sebastian!"