Chapter 459 The Heartbroken Olivia
Seeing Oscar’s return, Olivia appeared surprised. “Oscar, why did you come back?”
Despite looking slightly grim, the man tried to suppress his emotions as he calmly uttered, “Mom, where’s Stephanie?”
At once, Olivia felt a chill down her spine. “Did she do something wrong again? Or did she talk back to Amelia again?”
Upon casting a glance upstairs and not seeing Stephanie’s presence, Oscar sneered, “Mom, any idea what your beloved daughter said to your grandson? She said it’d be great if Tony doesn’t exist and that he shouldn’t have been born since he only brings down the reputation of the Clintons.”
Olivia could not believe what she heard. “That’s impossible. Stephanie adores Tony so much. Even though Tony isn’t close to her, there’s no way she would say those words.”
“Mom, do you know that’s what Tony told us? Or are you trying to say that a two-year-old is telling lies?” Oscar retorted.
Of course, Olivia trusted her precious grandson. She believed there was no way such a young child would tell lies, and neither would he be so conniving to make up stories.
“Caleb, go get Ms. Stephanie here. Tell her that I have something to ask her,” Olivia grimly instructed.
“Got it, Mrs. Clinton.” A young boy’s voice sounded.
In no time, Caleb returned with Stephanie. And as expected, Noah followed behind her too.
“Noah, I have something I have to say to Stephanie. Can you head back first?” Olivia tactfully ordered him to leave.
Being no fool, Noah smiled politely. “I’ll head back first, Mrs. Clinton.” Finishing his words, he turned to Stephanie and said, “Be good, Stephanie. Listen to Mrs. Clinton; I’ll come back again and bring you out tomorrow.”
Stephanie pursed her lips but did not say anything further.
“Drive safe.” Stephanie showed a rare side of her being nice.
Noah nodded in acknowledgment.
After he left, Stephanie took a peek at her brother. “Oscar, why are you back?”
“What did you tell Tony?” Oscar asked straightaway.
Her gaze flickered upon hearing that, but she continued to feign ignorance. “What are you talking about, Oscar?”
At the sight of the imposing man leaning forward, Stephanie staggered a step back and stuttered, “O-Oscar, w-what… What are you trying to do?”
Oscar moved even closer to her and said grimly, “Stephanie, save those despicable ideas to yourself. Save the adults’ problems to the adults instead of the kids. Don’t become a heartless creature that is beyond hopes. Remember, Tony is your blood-related nephew. I don’t want to think that having you as my sister is my biggest shame.”
At once, the smile on Stephanie’s face froze and gradually faded away, looking as though she was deep in thought.
“Oscar, did Amelia say weird things in front of you again? I feel so unjust that you’re scolding me without any reason.” Stephanie took a deep breath before she refuted agitatedly.
“I’m talking to you about the matter regarding Tony,” Oscar bellowed. “Stephanie, I’m already being very lenient toward you. I’ve been tolerating you once and again on account of Mom, and in turn, that has caused a lot of unfairness to Amelia and Tony. Now that I’ve finally found them back, why are you so pressed on making life difficult for them? Why did you send that parcel to Amelia’s company? Do you know how much fear your prank has caused her?”
This time, Stephanie was truly baffled. “Oscar, what parcel are you talking about?”
“Stop pretending. Can’t you grow up and learn to be more mature?” Oscar coldly berated.
“Oscar, you need to have proof before you say that. I admit that I’ve said mean things to Tony, but I meant no harm. Even though I did scold him, he has already taken his revenge by biting me twice! You can take a look at the marks!” Stephanie pulled her sleeve up, revealing two bite marks. “I’m stern toward Tony, but that’s because he disrespects me first, so I couldn’t hold myself back and said those things. I’m definitely not a lunatic who’ll put my nephew in harm. As for the parcel you’ve mentioned, I swear I have no idea what’s that.”
Evidently, Oscar could not bring himself to trust her. “I’ll investigate that issue myself.”
“Stop quarreling, the two of you,” Olivia suddenly interrupted.
Stephanie’s eyes were red from aggrievement.
“Mom, Oscar’s the one who kept finding trouble with me. I admit that I’ve done many bad things in the past, but I’ve changed my ways after I got together with Noah. I’ve been trying to learn how to be more understanding too. As much as I dislike Amelia, I try to turn a blind eye and refrain from saying anything mean to her. But Oscar is here to condemn me simply because he has heard something from her. I guess he doesn’t care about me anymore after having his wife,” she remarked indignantly.
Olivia rolled her eyes at Stephanie. She felt her breaths quicken as rage surged within her.
Taking a deep breath to calm herself down, she questioned, “Tell me, Stephanie. Did you tell Tony that he’s better off not existing in this world?”
Stephanie was instantly rendered speechless, and that had indicated her silent agreement.
Without hesitation, Olivia strode up to Stephanie, raised her hand, and served the latter a tight slap. “Stephanie, I’m so disappointed in you. I thought you’d learned after two years, but it turns out that you’re still the same as in the past. You should know that Tony is my precious baby. Why did you say such things in front of the small child? You’re his elder; do you not know that you’re responsible for setting him an example? I’m utterly disappointed.”
Stephanie covered her cheek as beads of tears began to roll down uncontrollably.
“M-Mom, y-you hit me again.” Stephanie choked on her words.
“Stop crying.” Olivia had barely been so stern before. “I’ve always forgiven those harmless troubles you’ve done in the past. But how can you even treat kids that way? I’m still alive, and you’re already doing that. So are you going to sell him away when I die?”
Stephanie shook her head profusely and grew even more emotional. “Mom, how could you think of me that way?”
“Isn’t that the case? You could even hire someone to take action on the pregnant Amelia back then. It wouldn’t be a surprise if you’d sell Tony away. You’re a total disappointment. I thought you’ve grown up, but I guess I was wrong. Indeed, a leopard never changes its spot. You’re still you.”
Stephanie fixed her eyes on Olivia numbly.
“Go back to your room upstairs and reflect on yourself. Apologize to Tony when you’ve thought things through. I’m afraid you’ll only bring shame for the Clintons after marrying into the Walker family with this temperament of yours.” It was the first time Olivia had said such harsh words to Stephanie.
“Mom…”
“Go up.”
Stephanie lifted her hands to wipe away the tears at the corners of her eyes as she ran back to her room.
Meanwhile, Olivia looked at Oscar and asked, “Oscar, you too. Stop being so stern toward Stephanie. She has actually changed a lot over the last two years. Besides, she’s already at the stage of marriage with Noah. Save her some dignity.”
“Mom, you’re still protecting her at this point? Will you only realize that your adoration for Stephanie has spoilt her when something happens to Tony?” Oscar remarked in a hoarse voice.
Olivia’s face turned gloomy immediately.
“Oscar, are you blaming me now?”
Oscar shrugged and responded, “Mom, I’m sorry. I apologize that I’ve let my emotions take control of me. But I still think Stephanie is a ticking bomb that’ll go berserk any time. If you miss Tony, then come over to visit us. I can’t be at peace if I send him here. That’s it for now. I’ll head home first.”
As soon as he finished his words, he turned and left.
“Stop right there!”
The man stopped in his tracks.
“Oscar, are you trying to deprive me of my right to spend time and play with my grandson?”
“That’s not it, Mom. I only want to let you know that we’ll take care of our child if you want to protect your daughter. I don’t want to put Tony in a vulnerable position.”
Olivia felt her body tremble in anger. She could not believe that Oscar would utter such a callous remark.
“Good, good. That’s amazing. My son, whom I’ve painstakingly brought up, has learned to threaten a poor old woman like me.” Olivia laughed bitterly.
At that sight, Oscar turned and rushed up to her and held on to her swaying body. “Mom, don’t be like this. I don’t mean that. But if it’s unbearable for you to teach Stephanie, I’ll do it instead. If we continue to let her be, I believe she’ll do something to Tony sooner or later, judging from her wilful nature. Look, she even dared to take action on a pregnant woman. Aren’t you afraid that you’ll see your grandson’s cold and motionless body one day?”
His last sentence was so impactful it shattered Olivia’s line of defense, causing all of her strength to leave her body as though she was about to collapse.
In truth, she knew her daughter very well. That was why she would react that way because she figured that Stephanie would be capable of doing such things.
“Do what you want, then. But she’s your sister after all. Don’t be too hard on her.” It felt like it was after a long time when Olivia finally compromised.
“Mom, thank you so much,” Oscar replied from the bottom of his heart.
“Go home now. You two shall take care of Tony tomorrow since it’s the weekend. I’m old and can no longer tell you to do something anymore.” At that point, Olivia’s heart was full of sorrow from the irreparable damage inside her.
Oscar figured he had broken Olivia’s heart.
Of course, he was not feeling any better.
