Desmond was reviewing details for a new project when his phone rang. It was an unsaved number. Not many people had his private line, so he took the risk and answered.
"Hello?" Said the caller.
He would recognize her breathy but firm voice anywhere.
"Blondie." He said, barely holding back a grin. Recently, everything about Olivia Gilbert made him smile, regardless of the fact that she was married to that bastard, Sebastian. "How may I help you?"
"Is your offer to help still on the table? Because I desperately need your help." The desperation was barely concealed by her shaky voice.
Desmond became worried. Recently, he found himself being so protective of Olivia. Sure, he had planned a lot of things, but not his feelings for her.
He asked what happened and Olivia promised to explain later, but revealed that she had been thrown out of the Gilbert mansion with all of her and her daughter's belongings.
Desmond was alarmed and furious. Was she alright? How long had she been waiting outside? And most importantly, what kind of idiot kicks the mother of his child out of their home like a rodent?
Desmond wanted to go to the Gilbert mansion himself, put Olivia safely in the passenger seat of his car, and punch Sebastian until his fists hurt.
But he knew he could not do that, unless he wanted to risk being recognized and his plans falling apart. He had gone to Gilbert Technologies, which was where he met the lovely Olivia Gilbert, as he had planned, but going to the mansion was a much greater risk.
Struggling to calm his nerves, he assured Olivia that he would be with her shortly. Immediately after that, he reached out to Robb Winston, his best friend and the man he trusted the most. After a few grumbles, Robb gave in. He brought Olivia to Desmond's home an hour later.
"Blondie!" Desmond called as he descended a flight of stairs, which led to the living area, where Olivia stood. She looked beautiful as usual, standing in the middle of the room, staring at a painting on the wall.
She turned to him. "I'm sorry for calling for help on such short notice---"
Desmond chuckled. "Nonsense." He said, stepping closer to her. "You can always count on me."
Usually, once people reject Desmond's help the first time, he would not be willing to give it again. He believed people knew what they wanted, so if they said no the first time, best believe they mean it. No one would let something he desired slip away. His father had taught him that.
"What happened?"
"Isn't it obvious? Sebastian and his evil mother, Priscilla, threw me out of the house like a rat. And his stupid mistress is pregnant." Olivia stated, venom dripping from every word.
Desmond smiled confidently. "That's good."
Olivia looked at him, wondering if he had lost his mind. "How is that good?" She asked, ready to unleash her frustration and anger on him.
"An illegitimate child, conceived before a divorce or separation, is proof of infidelity on his part. It will give you strong backup for the divorce." Desmond stated.
"Let's add 'attorney' to your list of titles." She said, sarcasm dripping from every word. "But actually, it doesn't matter because I am not getting a penny out of the divorce."
Desmond frowned. Was her bad mood affecting her intelligence too? Didn't she know that walking out of a marriage to a billionaire would mean walking away with full pockets?
"How is that possible? Alimony, spousal support, divorce settlements, a share of property---"
"I'm getting none!" Olivia yelled, stopping him from spelling out the list of financial aid she would have possibly received if she had not signed the prenuptial agreement.
She proceeded to bury her face in her palms while Desmond watched her, confused. "I signed a prenuptial agreement. I feel so stupid."
"What were the contents of this prenuptial agreement?" He asked carefully.
"I'm not to receive any alimony or settlements if I initiate a divorce before twenty years of marriage." She paced as she spoke. "And he is to pay 50% child support."
"Damn, that's cruel!" Desmond exclaimed. "How in the name of God did you sign that?"
Olivia did not stop pacing. "Priscilla tricked me. Sebastian's wicked mother."
Of course she did, the ruthless witch. Sebastian rolled his eyes. He could not help but feel pity for Olivia; she was another one of Priscilla's victims, just like him.
Sebastian put an abrupt end to Olivia's pacing, grabbing her arm and making her face him. "It's nothing we can't figure out." He said, as he stared into her dramatic blue eyes, flaked with gold. "All you need to fight the Gilberts is a lawsuit and a team of top-notch lawyers."
Olivia exhaled, looking at him with sad eyes. "I need to get back to the hospital. I left before Laurel woke, she must be looking for me."
Desmond's heart hurt for Olivia whenever he remembered that she had a dying child to care for. "I'll take you." He suggested.
When they arrived at the hospital, the little girl was awake and apparently, she had just finished a meal. "Mummy!" She greeted her mother with a hug.
"My love." Olivia spoke into the child's fluffy blonde hair.
The girl looked at Desmond with curious green eyes. Desmond would easily recognize those green, Gilbert eyes. She whispered in her mother's ears.
Olivia laughed. "He's a very nice man, baby, don't worry."
"Where's daddy?" The little girl suddenly asked.
Olivia opened her mouth to reply, but words were not forthcoming. How would she tell her daughter that her father had basically abandoned her at the hospital and even thrown her things out of their home? She glanced at Desmond, pleading for help with her eyes.
Desmond swung into action. "Your daddy had an emergency business trip, little Laurel." He lied. "It couldn't wait. He wishes he could be here with you, I'm sure he misses you very much."
Laurel smiled sadly. "He does not."
Olivia and Desmond exchanged a glance.
"Oh." Was all Desmond could say.
"Do you work with my daddy? Is that how you know all of this?" Laurel asked.
Desmond nodded. "Exactly." He said. "And I'm going to take good care of you and your mummy." Desmond found himself making promises.
"That would be very nice." Laurel replied.
They spent the rest of the day reading storybooks and watching TV. Desmond really enjoyed the little girl's company. He realized she was so much like him when he was younger_ before his life was almost ruined. He hoped her smile would not fade, like his did. In fact, he would make sure she would not become another traumatized Gilbert child.
Laurel fell asleep later in the evening.
"She's terrific!" Desmond exclaimed after Laurel fell asleep later in the evening.
Olivia agreed. "She is."
"Truly a vibrant and brilliant girl, so much more than just a pretty face. Just like you." Desmond spoke truthfully.
Olivia smiled, turning off the Television. "Thanks, but she's a lot like Sebastian. Before he changed for some reason."
Desmond finally left the little girl's side, to sit beside Olivia on the couch.
"He was vibrant and brilliant?" Desmond sneered. He could hardly imagine a happy Sebastian Gilbert.
"I know that you're rivals, but you would've loved him if you met him many years ago." Olivia said. "I think Laurel really likes you now."
Desmond smiled. "I know." He replied cockily.
Olivia rolled her eyes. "You cocky bastard." She laughed before turning serious. "I keep thinking about the divorce and the prenuptial agreement."
"Well, stop thinking about it." Desmond replied crisply.
"How can I? I'm broke and stranded." Olivia retorted. "I want attorney Salvador to represent me."
Desmond raised a brow. "Attorney who now?"
"Attorney Salvador." Olivia repeated. "She's brilliant and I know she handles divorce cases excellently. The only problem is that she often works for Sebastian."
Desmond thought about it for a while. To make an already expensive lawyer leave an old client, you had to have one hell of an offer.
"We will have to offer to pay her twice what Sebastian used to, maybe even more." He reasoned out loud. "I don't know if it's worth it."
Desmond did not like the idea. He already had a team of expensive lawyers at his beck and call, why did he need to spend time and energy on one that clearly belonged to Sebastian?
"It is." Olivia stated. "She knows him. And I think she's the only one who truly knows how best to use the evidence I've gathered against Sebastian."
Desmond's gaze on Olivia intensified. Now, she had his undivided attention.
"What evidence?" He asked.
"I have pictures of bruises and cuts on my body after some of the times Sebastian would hit me. And a few recordings of him committing the act." She exclaimed.
Bingo! Desmond almost leaped with joy.
"You brilliant, gorgeous woman!" He exclaimed, excitedly. "What you have is greater than gold! Greater than any lawsuit! Release this to the media and watch the destruction of Sebastian Gilbert."
"What's the point of that?" Olivia asked.
Desmond could not hide his excitement. What Olivia had was better than his long term plan for the Gilbert's.
"The negative publicity would crush him! I guarantee you that Gilbert Technologies will never recover from the controversy."
Olivia shook her head. "My intention is not to destroy his image, but to ensure that the jury grants me the settlement I deserve after enduring years of abuse."
Desmond shrugged. "Why not kill two birds with one stone?" He asked. "Send it to the media and also use it in court."
"No." Olivia refused. "It will loose it's importance, I will do no such thing."
Desmond sighed, exasperated. "You're not listening."
Olivia glared at him stubbornly. "You're eager to ruin Sebastian's public image and the Gilbert empire, but this is about more than just business rivalry, Desmond. I can't let him and his mother get away with this legally."
It was about more than just rivalry for Desmond too, but Olivia did not know that. And he would make sure she never finds out his secret.