"Did I just hear you say I'll be yours?" Olivia thought, her face clouded with confusion and fear.
"How could a brother desire his twin brother's wife? That doesn't sound right, does it?" she wondered, her heart pounding with trepidation.
She scurried backward, her fear intensifying, doing everything she could to stay away from this dangerously handsome man. Well, he was still pretty, she admitted inwardly.
"Ahhh… are you scared, little mouse?" Matthew asked with a devilish smile as he advanced toward her.
"Don't worry. Once I'm done with you, you can still stay with that imbecile. I won't mind," he continued, eyeing her covetously.
Olivia was a very beautiful lady with a stunning hourglass figure. Her waist-length red hair was so striking that her friends often teased her, saying she'd be too easy to identify if she ever committed a crime. She knew she was attractive—she had inherited her mother's beauty—but she never imagined she was stunning enough to catch the attention of Matthew, the most eligible bachelor in all of America, Europe, and Asia.
"Don't run from me, little mouse," Matthew said cunningly.
Olivia backed away until she hit the corner of the room and realized there was no escape. Her eyes darted around desperately as she prayed silently for someone to walk in. She didn't want to be part of any family scandal. Even though she hadn't seen her husband and wasn't in love with him, cheating on him with his twin brother was out of the question. Regardless of the fact that her husband was considered an imbecile, her morals wouldn't allow her to stoop that low.
"Boss, someone's coming. Should I stop them?" Matthew's most trusted personal assistant knocked gently, awaiting his boss's command.
"Oh… let them in. I can always come back to finish my business here later," he said with a smirk as he turned toward the door.
As he walked out, Olivia exhaled deeply in relief and leaned against the wall, visibly shaken. She hadn't known the Bradford family hid such darkness. While she had long suspected that the lives of the rich were not as glamorous as they appeared, she wasn't prepared for something this twisted.
"Second Young Mistress," the housekeeper called, his face turning pale upon seeing how shaken she looked.
"Oh, yes," she replied quickly, regaining her composure and glancing toward the door to make sure Matthew had left.
"The Great Elder will be coming home tomorrow to see you. The housekeeper from the Grand Elder's mansion asked me to inform you," he said flatly.
"Do I need to prepare anything? Also, do you know when I'll be able to see my husband?" she asked, her voice sweet and gentle.
"No, Young Mistress. You don't need to prepare anything. Your gown is ready. As for the Second Young Master, I cannot say," he answered respectfully.
"Okay, no problem," she replied.
Noting she had no further questions, the housekeeper asked if she'd like her dinner served in her room or at the dining table.
Olivia chose to eat in her room. She wasn't close to any of the Bradfords, and she didn't even know who else was in the mansion, considering how enormous it was. Besides, she stayed in the wing belonging to the Second Bradford, as they called him. She knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but no matter the situation, she had to face it,because Olivia was known for her problem-solving brilliance.
After eating, she lay on the bed, ensuring the door was securely locked. The trauma of what had happened earlier still haunted her. Her thoughts wandered, dwelling on the Great Elder's impending visit. Though fear lingered, she knew it wouldn't help, so she did her best to calm her nerves and mentally prepare for tomorrow. Eventually, with her thoughts still racing, she drifted off to sleep.
"Second Young Madam," a maid called softly as Olivia remained asleep. The sound of her title startled Olivia awake, her mind still clouded with sleep and confusion
The memories from the previous day came flooding back. She had married the mysterious second Bradford due to an agreement between her father and the Bradfords. Then she remembered Matthew's unsettling visit, followed by the butler's announcement that the Great Elder would be arriving today.
Seeing she was still in a daze, the maid called her again.
"Mr. Butler asked me to wake you so you can prepare for the Great Elder's arrival," the maid said respectfully.
"Oh, thank you so much," Olivia replied, stepping out of the massive bed and heading to the equally enormous bathroom,twice the size of her room back at her father's house. With help from the maids, though she wasn't used to it, she bathed and got dressed.
They adorned her in a blue fishtail dress designed by the renowned Lucy. A simple pearl necklace, matching earrings, and a bracelet completed the look. Her red hair was styled into a bun, secured with a matching clip. Her face was left bare, as her natural beauty needed no enhancement.
Once dressed, she was told to wait in her room for the Great Elder so they could have breakfast together. Hearing this, Olivia's heart that was getting calm,began pounding wildly once again. She knew she would have to face all the Bradford family members eventually, but that didn't make it any easier.
As she tried to steady her nerves, the maid entered once more, announcing, "Second Young Madam, the Great Elder has arrived. You are to preceed to the dining area."