Chapter 697 Putting On His Wedding Dress (1)

Olive was pleasantly surprised; she hadn't expected the hotel scene to be a collaborative effort between Nathan and Elvis. When Nathan declared that he and Elvis would protect her, a smile illuminated Olive's face. The pain she'd endured in Visionary seemed to melt away. She hugged Nathan, nodding emphatically, “Alright, from now on, I’ll leave myself in your protection, Nathan.”

Nathan, a naturally calm child, wasn't one for sweet words. He'd seen the video his father showed him on the USB drive—a video depicting his mother's suffering during childbirth—and vowed to protect her from harm.

Watching the tender interaction between Olive and her son, Clara felt a pang of jealousy. The unfairness of it all gnawed at her. She turned back to Elvis, asking, “Did you know I wasn't Olive?”

Olive, too, looked at Elvis, eager to know when he'd overcome the mermen's enchantment and recognized her.

Elvis pressed his lips together before saying, “I didn't recognize you at first, but that didn't stop me from avoiding you. Even though I saw Olive's face, my body rejected you. I didn't want to be near you; I hated you, yes, I hated you.”

He continued, “When I first saw Sadie (Olive in disguise), I stopped, drawn to her, unable to look away. Every time I saw her, my heart stirred. I recognized her when I heard her call in Gold City Palace.”

Clara, initially anxious, now regretted her question. She couldn't believe her people's seduction had failed to ensnare Elvis. Her complacency faltered.

Olive stood, leading Nathan to Elvis’s side. “The mermen's seductive tricks and so-called curses were merely a reflection of the past. This shows your people aren't as powerful as you believe,” she stated.

Clara watched the family of three. Elvis was the first man to break the mermen's charm, shattering the illusion. Clara conceded, “Olive, you won. Everything you said is true. You once said you trusted Elvis, that you’d risk everything on him, believing he would prevail.”

Elvis turned to Olive, gently taking her hand. “Did you gamble on this?” he asked.

Olive smiled. “Yes, it was the biggest gamble of my life.”

“Were you ever afraid?”

Olive shook her head softly. “No. I knew you’d never let me down.”

Elvis's resolute heart softened. He held her hand tightly, unwilling to let go.

Olive addressed Clara again, “Long ago, the ancestor of Greenland and our ancestor were lovers. They fell in love, but our ancestor, too sharp and bright, gradually eclipsed Greenland's ancestor. Greenland's ancestor’s heart drifted away.”

She continued, “Our ancestor was powerful, capable of anything, but she didn't know how to manage a man, to inspire his loyalty. The relationship’s failure wasn't due to mermen’s tricks, but to Greenland’s ancestor’s own heart. She likely didn't understand until her death that while she planned a bright future, he had already left her.”

Clara stared at Olive, having seen Visionary's ancestor's portrait on a scroll. Yet Olive was more refined, gentler, and more astute.

Olive added, “A man is the world's most potent weapon. A woman must know how to manage a man, to make him fight for her.”

Awe filled Clara. Elvis then said, “Olive, let’s go.”

Olive nodded, “Alright.”

The three turned and disappeared.

Outside, Olive said, “Clara is arrested, but Molly’s escaped. I believe she’s fled to the mermen’s land.”

Elvis, his handsome face tender with love, squeezed her hand. “Olive, the wedding is still ongoing. Let's not discuss anything else, okay?”

Olive realized something. “Now that Clara’s arrested, the wedding’s a success. We should end it.”

A frown creased Elvis's face. Olive hesitated, “Did I say something wrong?”

Elvis released her hand. “What did you say wrong? Was that appropriate? Think about it.” He walked away.

Olive shook her head, perplexed by his uncertainty and his sudden displeasure. Then Nathan exclaimed, “Wow, Mummy, look, that wedding dress is beautiful!”

Wedding dress? Olive looked up and saw a fiery red gown in a nearby window, its vibrant color striking. It was the same dress she'd seen in the Tassel Pavilion.