Sylvia had heard that the Kaur family had a good relationship with the Hogan family, especially Dariel, who was skilled in networking and often seen with Lucille.
Considered one of Lucille’s informants, Dariel was adept at making connections, including a good relationship with the Hipps Family, particularly Clare.
So it wasn’t surprising that Olivia and Carley got along well.
Sylvia sat across from Carley, facing Olivia. She observed Olivia and noticed that although she was around the same age as Carley, her demeanor and aura were completely different.
After sensing Sylvia’s gaze, Olivia involuntarily shrank back under the covers and lowered her head. She nervously tugged at her hair, appearing shy and unnatural.
She wasn’t used to meeting strangers, even people of the same gender. She felt a bit shy.
Especially in the presence of Sylvia, who was so stunningly beautiful, Olivia couldn’t help but feel a heightened sense of pressure and self-consciousness.
It was the first time she had ever seen a woman more beautiful than her aunt Lucille, whom she had always believed to be the most beautiful woman in all of Aettosa.
But now… she had her doubts because Sylvia in front of her was even more beautiful, elegant, and graceful.
“Hello, I’m Sylvia. Nice to meet you,” Sylvia extended her right hand towards Olivia, greeting her openly.
Olivia hesitated for a moment before extending her hand and lightly touching Sylvia’s hand before retracting it quickly. Her voice was soft, “Hello.”
“Olivia, what would you like to eat? Let me order for you,” Carley warmly greeted Olivia. “I… I’m fine with anything,” Olivia’s voice grew even softer as she lowered her head and took out her phone.
As it was a hotpot restaurant and mealtime, the restaurant was bustling with activity and filled with noise.
Olivia felt uncomfortable and instinctively leaned closer to Carley, seeking familiarity.
Sylvia watched Olivia’s cute little movements and found her quite interesting.
She began to carefully observe Olivia’s appearance. Her petite face was delicate and not quite at the level of a beauty queen, but rather had the charm of a girl-next-door. There was a hint of sorrow in her brows.
This girl’s face carried a hint of melancholy, which meant she wasn’t naturally outgoing. Coupled with her later development of depression, her mood became even more gloomy.
Some people may trigger depression by hitting certain points. Sylvia thought of a news article she had read yesterday: “9-year-old girl suffers from depression due to her beautiful homeroom teacher.”
The girl felt ugly and dark compared to her beautiful homeroom teacher, which eventually led to her developing depression.
But what triggered Olivia’s depression?
Depression is difficult to treat and it’s hard to overcome. If one manages to overcome it, life becomes bright and vibrant; if not, it becomes dark and one can never reach the shore.
However… Sylvia faintly sensed a trace of a charm on Olivia. Could her depression be artificially induced?
With the status and position of the Hogan family, who would harm their daughter?
Especially Lucille, a woman with immense power and wealth, who was above everyone else. Who would dare harm her niece?
Sylvia didn’t dwell on these thoughts because the waiter started serving the dishes. They neatly placed various dishes that they had ordered on the table.
They ordered a split hotpot, with Olivia unable to eat spicy food, so she could only have a non-spicy mushroom soup base.
But this didn’t affect Carley and Sylvia from enjoying their spicy hotpot.
The buttery spicy soup base was covered in a layer of red chili pepper flakes, emitting a faint aroma that enticed the senses.
“Come on, let’s start cooking the food. Let’s enjoy the hotpot,” Carley cheerfully picked up some duck blood and started cooking it, while Sylvia began cooking some tripe.
Olivia preferred vegetarian options and ordered several vegetable dishes to cook in her own pot.
The atmosphere quickly became lively. While eating the cooked food, Sylvia discreetly used her free hand to draw a happiness and fortune charm in the air and directly sent it into Olivia’s body.
The charm was transparent and invisible to others.
Olivia didn’t feel anything unusual. Did a gust of wind just blow in from the door?
She continued eating but suddenly felt that there was no taste in her mouth. She unexpectedly developed a craving for meat.
She licked her rosy lips and spoke softly, “I want to have that lamb roll.”
The plate with the lamb roll was far away from her, closer to Sylvia’s side.
Carley looked at her in surprise. “Aren’t you a vegetarian? What’s going on today?”
Sylvia looked at Olivia with her clear eyes. The blush on Olivia’s face deepened as she replied softly, “I don’t know, I just want to have a little…”
Carley didn’t say anything more. Instead, she used the public chopsticks to pick up a lamb roll and put it into Olivia’s pot.
Olivia’s face grew even redder. “I also want to have beef rolls.”
The beef rolls were right in front of Carley, not far from Olivia. As she spoke, she even picked up some beef rolls for herself.
After picking them up, she also cooked two beef meatballs for herself.
This…
Carley was even more surprised. “You have quite an appetite today. Is it because Miss Andrews looks beautiful and your mood has improved?”
A faint smile appeared on Sylvia’s usually cold face. She felt a sense of accomplishment seeing Olivia change so quickly.
She then used another tracking duplication charm on Olivia. She wanted to know what had happened to this girl.
She was even more curious about what secrets the Hogan family held!
This tracking duplication charm would follow Olivia wherever she went and duplicate everything that happened to Olivia in front of Sylvia’s eyes. It was very convenient to use.
She had only recently learned how to use this charm a few days ago. It was one of the more advanced charms and difficult to learn.
Olivia ate quite a lot, but Sylvia no longer paid much attention to her. Instead, she started chatting with Carley.
“I haven’t seen you since the fashion show. What have you been up to lately?” Sylvia asked with raised eyebrows.
Carley sighed with a hint of complaint in her tone. “Don’t even mention it. Nola Kaur and her mother are like rats crossing the street in my house now. My dad no longer listens to their mother-daughter duo’s orders, so I’m enjoying my time at home. Lately, I’ve been learning how to manage the company under my brother’s guidance. Ahh, it’s exhausting.”
Sylvia’s exquisitely beautiful features glowed under the lights. Olivia silently glanced at Sylvia; she was truly stunning!
Even though she was wearing a simple white blouse and blue jeans, she exuded a different kind of charm.
Olivia felt shy and afraid of being noticed by Sylvia. She quickly lowered her head and continued eating her food.
Sylvia was perceptive and had already noticed Olivia’s stolen glances but pretended not to notice.
She picked up a meatball for Carley and said, “Your brother is quite impressive.”
At least when it came to his sister, Dariel genuinely cared about her.
“Olivia has two older brothers as well!” Carley pouted and glanced at Olivia.
Olivia suddenly tensed up as if caught off guard. Her expression became flustered as she stammered, “My… my brothers said they’ll come pick me up after we finish eating.”
As soon as she finished speaking, her phone rang.
“Dexter, I’m almost done eating. After I finish, I’ll meet you at the parking lot.”
Her voice sounded nervous without any hint of intimacy or coquettishness one would expect when talking to one’s brother. Instead, it carried a hint of fear.
Carley was already used to it. “Her brothers dote on her so much and keep such a close eye on her that you’d think they were her boyfriends!”
Sylvia’s eyes flashed with an unusual light.
Olivia’s behavior just now didn’t seem like that of ordinary siblings. The Sweeney twins from the Hogan family were abnormal towards their own sister, but not to this extent!
The three girls quickly finished their hotpot meal. Since Carley and Sylvia had driven there themselves, they took the elevator together down to the underground parking lot.
Carley and Sylvia accompanied Olivia to the Hogan family’s car before bidding farewell through the lowered window. A handsome face appeared from inside the car, different from Olivia’s delicate features. This man had striking eyebrows and eyes; he had a strong masculine appearance but gave off an odd feeling when looking at Olivia.
Sylvia discreetly glanced at the man but he only briefly looked at her before focusing his gaze on Olivia. “Thank you for keeping Olivia company for dinner. Let me treat you both another time through Olivia.”
Carley smiled and replied, “Dexter, you’re too polite. We’re heading back now. Goodbye, Olivia.”
Olivia swallowed nervously as tears welled up in her eyes. She waved goodbye to Carley and Sylvia before getting into the car. Inwardly, she screamed, “No! I don’t want this!”
In her heart, Olivia resisted desperately but couldn’t make any sound. She could only close her eyes silently endure his advances.
On an empty street, a black BMW screeched to a halt with an ear-piercing brake sound. Sylvia slowly closed her eyes; she had just seen the images sent by the tracking duplication charm!
She could hardly believe that the Hogan brothers would be so shameless and beastly!