LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 6: A Scandalous Article
Olivia's words struck a nerve and a lump formed in Aurora's throat. She couldn't tolerate it anymore.
Her mother had always been in the picture before Stella came along. So, why would Olivia speak about events that happened before then? Or did her mother spew those lies to her?
Aurora's patience wore thin with Olivia's taunts. She stood up, ready to retaliate at the figure glaring daggers at her, but Stella cut in.
"How could you utter such nonsense? Do you want to get us both in another trouble with your father?" Stella interrogated through gnashed teeth. She was genuinely pissed at Olivia.
Her words hinted at Aurora exposing them and triggering Adam's wrath on them.
Immediately, the sharp glint in Olivia's eyes disappeared as realization dawned on her.
Aurora looked pleasantly surprised that her stepmother would scold Olivia in her presence. 'They are really threading on eggshells around Dad, today," she thought to herself.
Aurora pointed a finger at Olivia. "This is my last warning to you. If you do as much as spewing trash like this ever again, I will let you repeat them before Dad."
Olivia and Stella hurried out of Aurora's bedroom as fast as their legs could carry them, and they didn't stop until they got to the former's bedroom.
The moment the door closed Stella snapped an angry gaze at Olivia, "How could you reveal such a big secret to her so carelessly no matter how pissed you are? What did I tell you about bridling your tongue before her?"
"I-I- She got on my nerves and wouldn't do what you asked. Besides, Aurora isn't Dad's biological daughter, so why are you two hiding it from her?" Olivia clenched her jaw and fists as she stared at her mother furiously.
She just didn't understand the reason Aurora was being lied to, plus the reason she had to put up with her in everything. She was tired of the situation and wanted Aurora gone from their lives.
She didn't want to consider the fact that they might have to split their father's assets in the future.
"You little fool," Stella let out a deep breath. "Your father has no idea I know the secret, so you better watch your mouth now."
Olivia pouted and turned to sit on her bed. "You never mentioned how you found out about it though. What really happened back then?"
"Aurora's mother, Evelyn was your father's first love. She had Aurora with another man and was ill when your father met her again. So, he married her, and I overheard them making a deal when I had just found out I was pregnant with you." Stella seethed with rage, recalling what transpired in the past.
She had walked in to tell Adam she was pregnant when she overheard his conversation with Aurora's mother.
Olivia's frown deepened as she met her mother's gaze. "What kind of deal did they make, and why wouldn't Dad just send Aurora to whoever her father is? Also, who is he?"
"You ask too many questions." Stella glared at her. "You only need to know that Aurora's father is much wealthier and influential than your father, and she can never find out about him if you don't want her to have a better life than you."
Finally, Olivia nodded in understanding as a smirk turned up at the corner of her lips.
"I am already making plans to gain connections with Aurora's biological father, so just sit back and relax," Stella added.
"I trust you, Mum." A smile bloomed on Olivia's face. "Soon, I will take over everything that belongs to Aurora."
Olivia was delighted with her mother's plans and was already gloating when suddenly, a thought came to her.
"Mum," she called, her brows twitching. "How come Aurora doesn't remember what happened if she was already five years old when her mother brought her into this family?"
"How can that girl remember anything when her memories were wiped?" Stella scoffed.
---
Having had enough drama for the day, Aurora released a yawn and picked up her phone as soon as the screen glowed.
A text from Abigail just came in, so she unlocked her screen to read the content.
"I'm back. Meet me at 'Savoury Taste Diner' in an hour. No excuses. I'm worried about you."
A deep sigh escaped Aurora's lips as she typed a response and sent it out.
Now that it looks like she will be having lunch with her best friend, she has to return to Garden City Hotel where she left her car yesterday to pick it up first.
With lunch plans set, Aurora first stopped at Garden City Hotel to retrieve her car which she had left overnight meeting Abigail at the restaurant. And she was seven minutes late.
"I'm so sorry for the wait," Aurora quickly apologized as Abigail stood up and pulled her into a warm hug lasting almost a minute.
"Are you okay?" Abigail inquired, dismissing her worries as she released her from her embrace.
Knowing what her best friend was actually asking after, Aurora pulled out a seat for herself.
"Abby, I am not okay," she confessed, meeting the softness in Abigail's eyes and her knotted brows. "I didn't want to believe that Owen would ever do something like that to me. Do you know he sent me a break-up text a few moments before you called that yesterday evening?"
Aurora passed her phone to Abigail, letting her read the text herself.
Abigail's gaze widened as she read through the text. "That narcissist scummy bastard sent you this yesterday? Wow!" She gulped down an entire glass of water feeling her insides burning.
"Wait until you hear what they did to me yesterday," Aurora breathed angrily.
Just then, the waiters came to serve the food order Abigail made before Aurora's arrival.
"What did they do to you?" Abigail's gaze darkened.
Aurora glanced at her favourite mashed potato dish and pushed it aside uninterestedly. Letting go of a five-year relationship of love, dedication, sacrifices and efforts wasn't an easy feat.
Her heart was bleeding.
"First, my stepmother kept me locked outside the ballroom and finally when I managed to gain entrance, Olivia stepped on the trail of my dress and ripped it right in front of everybody," Aurora revealed, deliberately leaving Xander's part out as she was not ready to talk about it.
"What!" Abigail fumed. "How dare they treat you in that matter after everything they did to you?" She could not hold back her emotions anymore and threatened to get back at everyone who wronged her best friend.
Aurora stopped her and said, encouraging herself, "If Owen can be swayed by someone else, then he is not worthy of me."
Silence ensued around them as Abigail squeezed her hand gently in support.
"Aurora, have you thought about moving out?" Abigail retrieved her hand and opened the contact list on her phone. "I know an agent who can help you find a good apartment."
Unfortunately, Abigail lived with her mother and couldn't ask Aurora to move in with her otherwise, she would have suggested it long ago.
Aurora accepted her best friend's kindness and saved the house agent's contact on her phone, promising to call later before picking up her cutlery.
As Aurora chatted with Abigail, unaware of the chaos unfolding, a scandalous article on a popular gossip blog ignited a firestorm online, raising the heat in her house further.
"BOMBSHELL EXCLUSIVE!
Last night, the crème de la crème gathered at the Garden City Hotel Ballroom to witness the shocking engagement of Olivia Swift and Owen Scott. But amidst the champagne toasts and lavish celebrations, a glaring absence stole the spotlight: Olivia's father, Adam Swift, CEO of Vintage Cellar.
Was Adam's no-show a silent protest against his daughter's whirlwind romance with her sister's EX? Yes, you read that right! Owen Scott, the man Olivia is now set to marry, was until recently entwined in a torrid affair with none other than Aurora Swift, Adam's eldest daughter.
The plot thickens: insiders whisper of a twisted love triangle, with Olivia allegedly sneaking around with Owen behind her sister's back. Did Olivia orchestrate her sister's heartbreak to claim Owen for herself?
Adam's absence speaks volumes. Was he too distraught to attend, or does he harbour secrets of his own? The Swift family's reputation hangs in the balance.
Stay tuned for more updates on this salacious scandal!"
~Tea Time.