Chapter 121: A Birthday Surprise
“No!” Pamela clenched her fists. She couldn't remain sane or rational. Desperately, she probed, “Mr. Augustine, have you forgotten? You promised to surprise me on my birthday.”
Elvis’s handsome face remained calm, indifferent, even alienated. “Isn’t this a surprise?”
Pamela gasped, suddenly struggling to breathe. She understood his cruel implication: the fake breakup was a calculated humiliation, orchestrated for her birthday. Many knew of Olive and Elvis’s relationship—Raven, Harry, North; she had even disparaged Olive's husband in front of them at the Red Villa. What an idiot she had been!
Pamela habitually compared herself to Olive, but now felt like a complete loser. The embarrassment and humiliation were overwhelming. She shook her head in denial. “I still don’t believe it, Elvis. You didn’t marry Olive, did you? Olive, why did you steal my man? You know how much I love him! My goal was to marry him! How can you be his wife?”
Olive’s bright eyes met Pamela’s, revealing a glimpse of Pamela's obsession. “Pamela, don’t you understand how I became Mrs. Augustine? I didn’t steal your man; you willingly gave him to me. You could have been Mrs. Augustine, but you didn’t want it.”
Pamela felt as though she'd been electrocuted. Olive's words echoed, a cruel spell. She could have married into the Red Villa, become Mrs. Augustine. How had she lost that opportunity? Her legs weakened, and she almost collapsed, Monica stepping forward to support her.
Monica looked at Elvis awkwardly, muttering shamelessly, “Mr. Augustine, don’t be deceived by Olive’s innocent appearance. In fact, she’s adept at seducing people.”
Elvis’s sharp eyes fell on Monica, interrupting her abruptly. “Mrs. Hart, I know my wife better than anyone. I hope you’ll be more careful with your words and actions. I am very protective of those I love.”
Monica fell silent, blinking and gritting her teeth. Pamela looked at her mother weakly, her eyes reddened. “Mom…”
Monica tried to defend herself. "Olive, you! Pamela, don't listen to her. Mom wasn't aware of this initially."
Pamela, stung, pushed Monica away, refusing another glance. Monica, heartbroken at losing her daughter's affection, turned to Patrick. “Patrick, I…”
Patrick understood. His favorite daughter, Pamela, could never marry Elvis Augustine. It was Monica’s fault; she had given Pamela’s brilliant life to Olive. He glowered. “Shut up! Don’t you dare call me!”
Monica's heart shattered. She’d regained Patrick’s affection, only to lose it again. She was abhorred by her husband and abandoned by her daughter.
Patrick looked at Olive, smirking. “Olive, everything that happened is my fault. I was deceived. You have to believe that I love you…”
Olive chuckled, her smile fading. “Mr. Hart,” she called, her tone sharp. “Your love has always been for Pamela and Gabriella. What other love do you want to give me? Since you kicked me out of the Hart family, you ceased to be my father.”
Patrick stared, his lips trembling. “Olive, this… this… this must be a misunderstanding.”
Elvis, uninterested in prolonging the scene, looked at Olive. “Mrs. Augustine, shall we go?”
Olive nodded. He took her hand and left. All eyes turned to the Harts.
“So the fireworks were for Olive, not Pamela.” “Pamela is pathetic!” “Who has Olive’s number? Boss Augustine loves her; I want to be her friend!”
The guests, high-ranking individuals from across Los Angeles, departed swiftly, leaving the Harts to their humiliation. Pamela, clenching her fists, ran outside, stopping to take in the scene. The hotel was adorned with fluffy carpets and romantic gauze flowers. The staff stood respectfully. Elvis, hand in hand with Olive, approached. Everyone bowed and cheered, “Happy birthday, madam!”