CHAPTER 082
OLIVIA’S POV
As we walked up the path toward the main building, I stole a glance at Julian. He looked completely zoned out–lost in another world entirely. His brows were furrowed just slightly, his jaw tight like he was biting back thoughts he couldn’t voice out loud.
“What’s going on in that big brain of yours?” I whispered, nudging him lightly with my elbow. “Still waiting, strategist.”
Julian exhaled slowly, eyes still ahead. “We should probably just tell her the truth,” he muttered.
I froze for a second before catching up to him. “Seriously?” I whispered harshly. “I thought you were the genius planner here. I’ve considered telling the truth too, believe me, but what if she doesn’t buy it? What if she kicks us out–and bans us for good? If that happens, we lose everything. No access. No chance of digging up anything.”
Julian didn’t argue. He just rubbed the back of his neck and sighed again. “We’re cornered here… I got nothing.”
That admission hit harder than it should have. If Julian didn’t have a plan, then we were officially improvising in dangerous territory.
We stepped into the building. The woman who had met us at the gate walked briskly ahead, guiding us down a long, dim hallway. Her heels echoed softly against the old floor. It smelled faintly of lemon cleaner and something else.
She stopped in front of a small door and opened it, giving a polite, tight–lipped smile. ” Please, have a seat while I go get the forms.” She said gesturing for us to enter
Then, without another word, she left and shut the door behind her.
The office was… outdated, to put it kindly. The furniture looked like it had survived at least two decades of wear, and the blinds on the lone window were slightly bent. A rickety fan rotated lazily on the ceiling, more decorative than useful.
I sighed and pulled out a chair. “If you didn’t have a follow–up plan, I don’t think it was a good idea to say we were here to adopt at the gate,” I said, trying to keep my irritation in check. “We should have come up with another way in.”
Julian shrugged as he sat beside me. “Honestly? I didn’t even think it would work. I just… said it. Wasn’t really expecting to get this far.”
I gave him a sideways look. “Well, since we’re already this deep, we might as well ride. it through and pray she doesn’t kiss out”
Successfully unlocked!
“Hopefully,” he repeated, but he ad…ed.
There was a pause, and I took another look at him. His shoulders were tense. His fingers drummed lightly on the arm of the chair. That faraway look hadn’t completely
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left his face.
“Before we came in,” I began softly, “you looked lost in thought. Is finding the rest of them getting to you that much? Or… is it something else?”
He hesitated, then gave a half–smile. “Nah, not really. I mean, we’ve already found two of them. It’s just the last piece left now–the reporter you allegedly killed.” He made air quotes with his fingers as he said the word, casting a smirk in my direction.
I rolled my eyes. “Allegedly, huh? You make it sound like I’m some kind of black widow.” Julian chuckled but then grew serious again. “That’s where the problem lies though. The two we’ve got? They’re too loyal. Days in a locked room, barely any light or food, and they still won’t talk.”
Neaned forward, clasping my hands together. “Maybe it’s not just time they need. Maybe they need… fear. A real threat. Something that’ll crack that shell.”
Julian nodded slowly, “I was thinking the same thing. I need to scare them–make them believe this is their last chance. I’m just trying to think of something… believable and terrifying enough to get through to them.”
“That shouldn’t be difficult,” I said, smirking slightly, trying to lighten the mood with a bit of humor. Julian, however, didn’t laugh like I expected. He was still distracted, his eyes lingering on the closed door in front of us.
“If that wasn’t what was troubling you outside, then what was?” I asked again, softening my tone a bit.
He let out a long breath, almost as if he’d been holding it in for hours. “Family issues. My mom called me,” he finally admitted
I blinked. “Well, you’re not on bad terms with her, right? So… what happened?”
“It’s not about being on bad terms. I love my mom too much to ever be distant like that. It’s just the usual,” he said with a tired shrug. “She’s still pushing me to take over the company. Won’t let it go.”
“That’s why you were looking like you were carrying the weight of the entire world on your shoulders?” I asked, tilting my head slightly.
He raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
amy
“Well, when I saw your face and you mentioned your mom, I thought maybe she disowned you or something super dramatic.” I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms. “You looked that stressed.”
looked
A small smile crept up on his face. “As much as I stress her out, she’d never go that far. I’m all she’s got. It wasn’t anything too serious, really. Don’t worry.”
I paused for a moment, then said, “You know, it’s kind of funny. I’ve never met your
mom. Or anyone from your family, actually.”
Julian raised an eyebrow at me, clearly surprised by the sudden shift. “Really?”
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“Yeah, think about it. We’ve known each other for this long, You’ve met my people. But
I haven’t spoken to or met a single soul from your side.” I shrugged casually, but the thought lingered in the back of my mind more than I admitted.
Julian scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. “To be fair, my family’s… boring. My mom especially. You should be glad you haven’t met her.”
I laughed. “Why do you say that?”
“She’s an emotional rollercoaster. One minute she’s crying like the world’s ending, the next she’s barking orders like a five–star general. She’s mastered the art of emotional manipulation. Uses it to guilt trip me constantly. If you knew her, trust me, she’d pull the same moves on you.”
“She actually sounds like a lot of fun. I’d love to meet her someday,” I teased.
“Did you not hear what I just said, woman?” Julian said with mock exasperation, and we both laughed quietly.
Then, his tone shifted slightly. He leaned in and gently poked my stomach with his index finger. “Hope you’re not letting the stress get to you too much. You’ve got this little guy to think about.”
I placed á hand over my belly instinctively. “I try my best. But if things keep going at this rate…” I trailed off, exhaling slowly, “I might just lose it.”
He gave me a look that said he understood more than words could.
Just as he opened his mouth to say something else, the door creaked open, snapping us out of the moment. The woman from earlier stepped in, holding a small stack of papers in her hand.
“Sorry for keeping you waiting,” she said with a polite smile as she approached the desk. “Shall we begin?”
Julian straightened up, exchanging a glance with me.
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