The following morning.

When Jason arrived at the company, he ran into Olivia quite unexpectedly.

Olivia had no idea that Jason, alongside Amelia, had returned to the country.

Seeing him here without warning caused her steps to falter, her composure momentarily slipping.

Jason, for his part, seemed mildly surprised at the encounter, but he assumed Olivia had only just returned from a business trip herself and didn't overthink.

His expression remained impassive, his demeanor detached, as if she were no more than a stranger. Without a flicker of familiarity in his eyes, he brushed past her wordlessly and entered the office.

If this had been beforeback when hope still flickered in the chambers of her heartOlivia would have been overcome with joy at the sight of him.

She might not have dared fling herself into his arms, but she would have watched him with a look brimming with innocent exhilaration.

Even in the face of his icy aloofness, she would have smiled warmly and greeted him with an eager "Good morning."

But not today. Today, when her eyes caught his sharp, arrestingly handsome countenance, she only lowered her gaze. The joy she once felt at his mere presence had been drained, leaving behind a quiet desolation.

Unaware of this shift, Jason did not pause to discern the nuances of her expression. His stride did not falter, his destination fixed.

Watching his tall, refined figure recede into the building, Olivia couldnt help but wonder when hed returned. But surely his return heralded the acceleration of their pending divorce.

With this truth like a splinter lodged within, she shook her thoughts of Jason aside and plunged herself into her work after taking her seat.

Half an hour later, a call came from Allen. Bring two cups of coffee to Mr. Hayess office.

Back when Olivia was trying to make Jason fall for her, she found out he loved coffee, so she had painstakingly learned how to brew coffee.

That effort proved fruitful.

After tasting her coffee, whether at home or at the office, Jason would only drink what she made.

When she realized Jason had genuinely grown fond of her coffee, she was thrilled for a long time, thinking it was the first step toward winning him over.

But in reality, she had underestimated just how much Jason disliked and guarded against her.

It was truehe loved her coffee.

But that was all he loved.

His attitude toward her remained cold and distant.

So, whenever he wanted coffee, hed usually have Allen contact her. Once it was ready, Allen or someone else would pick it up.

He never gave her even the slightest chance to get close to him.

Only occasionally, when Allen and the others were unavailable, did she have the opportunity to deliver the coffee to his office herself.

This time, judging from what Allen said over the phone, she was supposed to deliver it directly to Jason after brewing it.

Once Olivia prepared the coffee, she placed it on a tray and brought it to Jasons office.

The door was open.

Just as she reached the doorway and was about to knock politely, she saw Penelope sitting on Jasons lap.

The two seemed to be kissing.

Olivia froze, her face instantly turning pale.

Seeing her, Penelope hurriedly got up from Jasons lap.

With a dark and furious expression, Jason snapped, Who allowed you to come?

Olivia tightened her grip on the tray. I came to bring you your coff

Thats enough, Olivia, interrupted Steve, Jasons other personal secretary, who happened to arrive just then.

He knew about Olivia and Jasons relationship.

He said, Youre really pushing it this time.

Steve wasn't blunt, but Olivia suddenly understood what he meant.

He thought she had found out Penelope was at the company and had used the coffee as an excuse to disrupt Jason and Penelopes time together.

Judging by Jasons expression, he seemed to think the same.

In the past, she might have actually done something like that.

But now, she was about to divorce himwhy would she still bother?

They didnt give her a chance to explain.

Steve said coldly, Please leave! Now!

Olivias eyes reddened, and her hands trembled slightly as she held the tray. Hot coffee sloshed out of the cup, scalding her fingers. She winced in pain but made no sound as she turned to leave.

But after just two steps, Jasons voice came from the office again. If theres a next time, dont bother coming to the office again.

Olivia had already resigned.

Even without this incident, she would have left the company as soon as her replacement was found.

But she knew no one here cared about her situation.

Explaining would be pointless.

In silence, Olivia turned and walked away with the tray.

As she left, she overheard Penelope gently comforting Jason. Its alright, Jason. I dont think she meant to do it. Dont be upset.

Olivia poured out the coffee, held her scalded fingers under running water, and then quickly took out ointment from her bag to treat the burn.

It might seem like she was now great at cooking and brewing coffee, but before marrying Jason, she couldnt do household chores, cook, or even drink coffee.

After getting married, she learned everything for Jason and their child.

She spent countless hours practicing, going from complete disaster to near-perfection.

The struggles and heartache along the way were known only to her.

As for the first-aid ointment in her bagwhat mother hands-on raising a child doesnt habitually carry some kind of remedy for injuries?

It was just that since Amelia went to Sylvaria with Jason, she hadnt needed to use it much.

Luckily, it hadnt expired.

After tending to her wound, Olivia suppressed the stabbing pain in her heart and returned to her workstation to continue working.

Just as she finished organizing the documents on her desk, she overheard someone say

I heard Mr. Hayess girlfriend is at the company!

Girlfriend? Mr. Hayes has a girlfriend? Who is she? Whats her background? Is she pretty?

Not sure about her background, but the front desk said she comes from a wealthy family, and she is super beautiful and has an amazing aura!

The two colleagues were chatting when they noticed Olivia standing up.

Remembering they had to attend a meeting downstairs with her, they quickly stopped and awkwardly walked over. Lets focus on work for now. Well gossip later.

Olivia knew the Mr. Hayess girlfriend they were referring to was Penelope.

But she showed no reaction on her face. She turned and left the office, taking the elevator with her two colleagues.

As they were heading toward the meeting room after exiting the elevator, they saw Penelope walking toward them accompanied by four senior managers.

The managers surrounded Penelope, their expressions careful, fawning, as if they were eager to please.

Penelope smiled and said, Thank you for taking the time to show me around the company. I appreciate it.

Dressed in luxury brands, Penelope carried herself with the grace of a wealthy heiress.

Though her words were polite, she seemed to already see herself as the boss lady of the companyfriendly yet distant, treating the managers as if they were her subordinates.

The managers smiled obsequiously: Don't mention it, Miss Garcia. You're Mr. Hayes's girlfriend. This is the least we can do.

Yes, yes.

As they spoke, they noticed Olivia and the others stepping out of the elevator. Even though Olivia and her colleagues moved aside to make way, the managers frowned at the sight of them.

Watch where youre going! You rude assholes! If you bump into Miss Garcia, you'll be answering for it.