Chereads / Love in dispute / Chapter 3 - The scandal

Chapter 3 - The scandal

Olivia is faced with a disastrous situation and together with Ryan they try to get her out, the situation ends up more complicated than she thought, making her see little possibilities of becoming the leader of Golden board forum.

Nevertheless with Ryan by her side, they press on desperately.

Hey Olivia. Ryan called out softly. Where are you?I've been to your house and office but you aren't there.

Uhm yeah, I'm not around. I said I was a bit confused.

So tell me, where are you? We need to see. He sounded worried and I had to look at Justin to give a go ahead since he brought me here, and he nodded in agreement.

Okay, five star hotel, though we told the manager to keep it a secret that I'm in here so Justin will come pick you up.

Okay I'm on my way. Ryan said and the call went dead.

Why is he sounding that way? I asked Justin who just raised his shoulder in a shrug.

I just hope it's nothing serious. I said already pitying myself.

Few minutes later

Ryan walks in with Justin to meet Olivia who's head is buried on her lap.

How did he happen? Ryan asked and Olivia had to go through another session of explanation.

I think you've been set up. Ryan said as soon as she ended she seemed like never ending explanations.

Why do you think so? Olivia asked, sensing the similarity between his conclusion and that of her brother.

Well the position of the leader of Golden board forum isn't a joke and just do you see my reason behind backing out, you will be attracting the attention of your enemies and contenders. Ryan said, giving me a glimpse of what he had said earlier.

But why would Samantha help anyone who wants me down? If she ever wanted to do such a thing she would have done it a long time ago.

Well, we can't be so sure at the same time Samantha served you your drink doesn't mean she prepared this. Ryan said changing Olivia's direction of thinking, she must accept he is really the smart type.

You should prepare for more of this and now we need to find who is behind this? Justin says.

No we can't let them have their way ,the person who planned this is really smart, he or she knows that you will be asked to back out from the project and if you want to prove your innocence by investigating, you would loose concentration, the person isn't such a fool to leave easy traces behind and before cases like this are handled you will never be able to to catch up with the project, so we will have to look for a simple way to clear your name while still working on the project. Ryan said and Olivia had to admit again that he is really a smart guy.

But this scandal doesn't look like it will be easily cleared off. Olivia says.

Yeah and that is why you will need my help and stop being repulsive. Ryan said and Olivia could hear the sarcasm in his words, he was trying to tease her again but that she had no option than to succumb by being silent.

First you will have to apologize for your act earlier on today, Justin says making Olivia wish he never came.

Yeah you know, I hadn't forgotten about that. Ryan added.

Would it kill him if he told Justin it wasn't necessary, I mean he wasn't angry anymore, he was certainly looking forward to seeing her face while apologizing to him, but she had no option. Olivia pondered.

Fine, I'm sorry. Olivia said, avoiding Ryan's eyes.

Not accepted, do it again and look at me when you want to.

Ryan said and Olivia felt like strangling him at that moment but of course she couldn't, she just had to do as he had said, and to God who knows, once she gets out of this condition she was going to pay him back she pondered and apologized giving him the look of what she had said inwardly which made Ryan laugh.

One week is gone but the rumors on the internet are still very intense. Ryan had tried to talk to his dad being the only one who could ease the rumors.

Dad, Olivia isn't at fault, I was in the office with her that day and she had only had her glass of milk while I was leaving. Ryan pressurized. Someone had drugged her and that was the reason for the incident.

So what proof do you have, and who had drugged her. Mr Li Luxian asks absent mindedly, he wasn't going to help her this time he couldn't see why the son was bent on helping her by all means.

Dad you've always said to think things from all angles can't you see this scandal is just so Olivia doesn't get a chance to the position. Ryan started getting his father's full attention.

This scandal is so that Olivia would be asked to back out and whoever did this won't carelessly leave a trace behind knowing we would want to investigate to prove Olivia's innocence and if we should venture into that,by the time the truth is revealed or we even have a clue, Olivia won't be able to meet up to the time given for the project, Dad can't you see? Ryan asked, giving dad a different view of the whole thing.

Which means it's either a member of the board or one of her personal enemy or even someone close to her but who doesn't want her so high, if this has to be investigated even by the best detectives , it will solemnly take a long time due to the vast possibility range of who could have done this. Mr Li Luxian reason.

Yes dad.

But Tanya wouldn't make this easier, the first had been made by her tho not to good to make Olivia back out.

So dad do you think Tanya is behind this? Ryan asks

There is a wide range, but I can't say but most definitely she would take advantage of the situation, the person behind this knows this and so doesn't need to bother coming out in open to criticize Olivia less the person be suspected. That is one major reason I can't say she is behind this and what's more, Tanya won't want to step so low, she won't give Olivia the slightest chance to be over her. Mr Li Luxian says.

So what do we do?

Well I'll look into it, I have to make sure the case is settled with nothing to stare it up again. Mr Li Luxian says and Ryan nodds leaving his dad to think.

Five star hotel

The tension at Olivia's residence had reduced but she felt much more better at the hotel had decided to extend her stay assuming her mom who look quite worried that she was fine and her dad he hadn't really bothered to know about her whereabout, he hadn't spare her the day he had finally seen her and she was fully prepared for that, aside Ryan, Justin and Samantha no one knew where she resided.

After being assured she could be helped they moved on with the findings on the project with Samantha supplying Olivia with the reports from the office as Olivia rarely went there after the incident she felt much more okay at the hotel.

Olivia's POV

Dressed in a casual wear, a big light blue polo and a black shot which stopped right above my knee I had just had lunch and resided to do a bit of study when I heard a knock on the door

Come in, I said expecting Samantha or Justin.

Hey I called sitting up as Ryan came in.

Hi he said sitting on the couch without waiting for me to do the usual of asking him to sit. I guess he was feeling quite free as he had gotten closer during this period. Sometimes I actually acted like he was my bro, I had never known this side of him while drowning in my fantasy of him being a flirt.

I'm good and you? I asked and wondered if someone had told me I would chat with him to this point in the past, I would never have believed.

Fine, just stressed out lately.

I'm sorry it's actually my fault you're going through this. I apologized sincerely.

You seriously shouldn't be saying that I could choose not to so it is my choice and not your fault. He said and I smiled.

So we should get to work, I said, trying to be more official.

No,no Olivia, I came here to check on you and not work, you seriously need rest from this tensive condition.

Yeah I know and that's why I'm still here, well thanks for your concern.

It's okay so Miss Olivia can we be less former here? He asked and I wasn't sure of what answer to give but just nodded and he smiled resulting from my actions.

So tell me Olivia why did you resent me so much back then?

The question there kept me in an unbalanced state, first of all hearing my name from his mouth without the Miss was actually something else and then the question if it was back then I would have answered with no little time spared to think but now I wasn't so sure if my point then still matterd.

Well that was because I had a wrong perspection about you. I said and he smiled addind more cuteness to him self.

Hmmm so all the while Olivia hadn't known me and certainly not for this wouldn't have known me, don't you think you owe me, he said and I was forced to stare at him

So how am I expected to pay you? I asked not sure if I would have done what he would have said if it didn't favour me.

Well you don't have to worry about it cause it isn't yet the time. He said earning a confused look from me.

Well I never knew you could be this interesting. Ryan says

So it's both sides okay? He said and I just nodded.

A week later Mr Li Luxian had decided to act and as usual came up live on the CBN news to give his verdict accompanying it with a slight punishment to be able to keep the members of the board silent.

Olivia and Ryan had been involved in a slight argument due to Ryan's flirtish act again and Ryan had threatened to redraw his help tho he had been kidding.

Olivia had avoided watching the live video tho she had heard Omega's company will be serving a punishment, considering what Ryan had said she had expected they would be asked to back out.

Writer's POV

She kept staring at the files properly arranged on the table before a blue design material cushion looking obviously expensive.

She smiled sheepishly as she stared at the cushion which has some letters abbreviated on it O J

Olivia Jeremy

She stood up and went towards it,sat quietly and rubs her index over the design.

I miss him she kept saying inwardly.

Jeremy is Olivia's childhood friend,who is now in the US working as a Neurosurgeon in the top 2 best surgery hospital in the US.He got her the cushion as a gift on her 23rd birthday.

When last did I hear from him

I should call him she whispered to herself

About leaving to get her phone,she stop with her eyes fixed on the wall clock. It's s already past 10

He is either asleep Orr still in the Hospital, considering it will be a great disturbance she sat back on the cushion and decided to flip through the files concerning the project.

Hey! big bro.Olivia said immediately she noticed her brother presence in the room.

Stare at her for a while and nods.

Yunno I've been trying to understand if eventually this your 'hey bro' is a good evening orrh goodnight new greetings style he muttered dragging the 'hey bro'

Olivia raise her head and glance at him for a while before letting go of her works, going to give him a tight hug, muttering good evening bro, giving him side kisses before letting go of him

Feels more good,Justin said making Olivia scoff.

I gave you kisses, tight hugs won't you at least answer my greetings big bro she said with a disgusting look

Does it really matter?? Don't push thi....

I'm not Olivia snarled

Okay,easy sis I meant no harm,he replied calmly

Ohh this is stressing, trouble from work and big one at home she said staring daggers at her brother

Did you just call me trouble?? Justin asked faking annoyance

Maybe, she simply replied

Olive

It's Olivia not Olive she corrected looking down at her project works

Who cares..?? He said finally sitting on the couch close by

Thought you love standing? She said looking directly at him now with her hands akimbo

Hey little miss mind your mouth he replied pointing at her with a squeeze face

No offence she said resting her head on the couch she was sitting on.

Do you want a glass of milk?? He asked admit silence

A glass of coffee will do she said sounding really exhausted

Hmm.. I'll get you a cup then he said standing up with his phone in his hands heading for the door

Do you need any other thing?? He turn to asked as he turn the door knob

Mmm.. Nope thanks bro she replied smiling slightly

I'll be back in a minute he said and turn to leave

Olivia sat there staring at the walls, tapping her fingers on the couch, lost in thoughts and slightly she close my eyes.

Ma'am there's goodnews, her secretary snarled once she sat on the chair in front of her table

Spilled it already Mantha.

Okay,, she replied taking in deep breath to calm down

Mr Li Luxian secretary just called....

And he has suspended me from the competition still further notice,it is not new dear

I saw it coming Olivia interrupted

Hush... You're so bad in understanding moods. And so bad in conclusion of stuff when depressed.

I'm not depressed she simply murmur

Ofcourse you are. I know you More than you think Olivia

Ohhh... Spill it already. I don't need more of your motherly lectures about how far you've study me she stated with a roll of eyes

Ok, ok drama queen. Samantha said raising her hands in the air in total submission

Assistant drama queen Olivia said with a light chuckle

Ohh ohh..

Well I didn't know that after all the smiles and snarlss that I've got a Goodnews,you still think I'm acting up.

Writer's POV

Bae what I was trying to say is that Mr Li Luxian secretary called concerning the competition and stated that... She said and immediately went mute

Mantha,if you're not ready to spill the beans kindly Leave and don't ever try this again Olivia said sounding tired of the silence already

Calmsy queen she respond with a low laughter

Mantha!!! I'm tired of the silence,Olivia said looking reckless

The secretary said that, she continued but totally went off again

Did we win the project?? She asked

Lolzzz, Miss Olivia which project?? Don't let me confirm you've totally gone nut. It's barey a month since the project was introduced and besides we were cut off, so we've got nothing to do with that. Samantha stated clearly with a slight chuckles

We aren't totally cut off,we were only suspended Olivia replied

And so?? Samantha simply asked trying not to sound rude.

Whatever,then what happened?were we Eliminated Orr we are called back to the game?? She asked sounding a little sad

Yes ... Ma'am Samantha replied clapping her hands and snarling too

Hey slowly Mantha I don't still get Yes for what exactly?? She asked looking confused

We are back in the game ma'am

We are in for the competition Olivia ma'am, that's what the secretary call to...

Haaaaaaahhhhaaaa... Olivia cut the secretary off

We were what?? Are you sure Samantha. OMG....Bbyy....

Olivia POV;

Hey!!! A familiar voice snarled jerking me out of my thoughts

I turn and saw my brother staring daggers at me with a tea cup stretch towards me.

Really!! I started,dipping my hands into my hair

Are you taking this orrh not, he simply asked

Ordinary cup of coffee and you shouted at the top of your voice. I wonder what you would have done if it was a plate of soup you prepared I said trying to get the cup from him but he withdraw the cup suddenly

What's that for?? I asked sounding pissed off

Hey little witch,know your lane. I got you a cup of coffee and you can't even appreciate, all you know best is to scold me. Don't forget I'm still your elder brother. He said glaring at me

Little witch, I repeated bitting my upper lips

You heard me right. Don't dare bite me on the tongue with your work stress. I know it's stressful, you can actually take a break Orr quit he said staring away

You're not serious right, I asked

Maybe nah,he said looking at every corner of the room

Annoying bee, I cussed silently.

He slowly drop the coffee cup on the table a bit far from where I kept my books,and sat down.

I took the cup and sip from it.

And went back to what I was searching on my laptop.

Aren't you sleeping,he asked

I will not now, I said

Not soon too,he said

And immediately I stopped typing and turn to look at him looking at his phone,he noticed I was looking at him as he smirk making his side dimple show.

Hey stop that I said

Stop what?? He asked now staring at me

What made you think I won't be sleeping soon?? I asked obviously trying to change the topic

I don't know he said shrugging his shoulder and head

Maybe the files in front of you and your worried face,you obviously have something on your mind. You can share,I won't hesitate to help my little sis out yunno, he added

You're just looking for gist, it's obviously nothing more than that, I said my hand at akimbo and my back rested on the cushion.

Not today,ohh maybe today but not now,you look kinda pale and worried, he stated

It's just the project and I haven't really slept since the scandal stuff puff up.I said taking sips from my coffee cup

And now you are call back to business, you ain't still sleeping sis, he said calmly

How did you know I've been call back to work I asked

You told me during dinner remember?? He said

Ohhh yep, sure I replied in affirmation.