The Golden Mirage

3. Agreement

The Holland Group building stood tall like a gigantic pillar of glass and steel, as if challenging the sky itself. To Olivia, walking into this place felt like stepping into a lion’s den while wearing her finest silk suit. Today was the first meeting for the logistics integration, and she could not afford to look weak—especially in front of Michael.

However, the drama began even before she reached the meeting room on the fifty-third floor.

In front of the executive elevator, a young woman in an overly flashy designer dress, wrapped in a sharp, overpowering perfume, stood with her arms crossed. She was Elena Holland, Uncle Mark’s spoiled daughter who acted as if she owned the entire building.

“Oh, look who’s here,” Elena sneered when she saw Olivia approaching.

She scanned Olivia from head to toe with a contemptuous gaze.

“Wow, a designer? My God, a local designer trying to beg for capital here? How funny. Do you really think Holland Group is a charity bank for your little business?”

Olivia remained silent. She stared at her own reflection in the elevator doors, ignoring Elena as if the woman were nothing more than noisy traffic outside. To her, dealing with someone like Elena was a complete waste of energy.

“Hey! I’m talking to you!”

Elena stepped forward, blocking Olivia’s way.

“Don’t dream of becoming my cousin’s business partner. Michael is a perfectionist. He doesn’t have time to deal with trash like you. At best, you’ll end up as nothing more than decoration in this lobby.”

Olivia tilted her head slightly and gave a thin, icy smile.

“Are you done barking? The elevator’s open. Move.”

Elena’s face flushed red. Feeling humiliated at being ignored, she lost control.

“Who do you think you are, daring to talk to me like that! You must be some low-class woman hoping Holland will help you. Women like you are good at licking boots! I bet your parents told you to seduce my cousin. God, do you think Holland is like any other company?”

Smack!

The sound of the slap echoed through the silent hallway. Olivia’s hand still felt hot, but she stood straight with her chin lifted.

“Never dare to insult my parents or my work again. You’re nothing but a parasite in this company who can’t even make a proper financial report.”

Elena staggered back, her eyes wide in disbelief.

“You—how dare you! What do you know about me, you bit*h!”

With a hysterical scream, Elena shoved Olivia’s shoulder with all her strength.

Olivia, unprepared and wearing high heels, lost her balance. She closed her eyes, bracing herself for the cold marble floor. But the pain never came. A pair of strong arms caught her around the waist just in time.

“Are you okay?”

A calm baritone voice sounded close to her ear.

Olivia opened her eyes and looked up at a handsome man wearing thin-framed glasses. His face resembled Elena’s, but his aura was far calmer and more professional. He was Julian Holland, Elena’s older brother, who worked as Michael’s personal secretary and right-hand man.

Julian helped Olivia stand upright again, then shot his sister a sharp look.

“Elena, watch your behavior. This is an office, not your playground.”

“But, brother! She slapped me!”

Elena protested angrily, unable to accept being hit.

Olivia ignored Elena and turned to Julian instead. She gave him her first sincere smile that day.

“Thank you so much. You saved me from a very bad day.”

Julian returned her smile politely.

“It’s my duty to make sure Mr. Michael’s guest is safe. I’m Julian Holland.”

He extended his hand for a handshake.

Just as Olivia was about to take Julian’s hand, a chilling, oppressive aura suddenly wrapped around the hallway. Heavy, steady footsteps approached.

“Disperse. Don’t cause a scene here. Julian, you go ahead. I’ll take Olivia to my office now. I want to speak with her before the meeting.”

The voice was low, deep, and completely emotionless, yet full of command.

Everyone in the hallway obeyed instantly.

Michael Holland stood there in a perfectly tailored black suit. His devastatingly handsome face was flat, without even the hint of a smile, but his eyes were fixed sharply on Julian’s hand, which was still hanging in the air.

Everyone held their breath.

Michael didn’t look at the crying Elena. He didn’t look down the hallway.

He only looked at Olivia with a gaze that was hard to interpret—a mix of authority and something far darker.

Olivia followed Michael’s steps toward his office.

Could they get along in the same room?

Of course not. There would definitely be a clash.

Bang!

The sound of the office door slamming shut rang clearly.

Michael was obviously the one who did it.

“What were you doing, Olivia?”

That heavy voice sounded like he was interrogating her.

Olivia took a slow step backward as Michael stepped forward, until she was cornered against the wall.

That sweet smile appeared again—of course, the smile that was utterly terrifying to Olivia.

“You’re very clever. Already trying to start the game, huh?”

That large hand lifted her small chin, forcing her beautiful face to keep looking at him.

“What do you mean?!”

Her beautiful eyes turned sharp, as if she wanted to kill him right then and there.

But to Michael, it was very entertaining. One of his hobbies was making Olivia so annoyed she exploded in anger. To him, it was pure amusement.

“Honey, you’re stealing the lead already, aren’t you? Getting all friendly with Julian just now. Do you like him, hmm?”

It wasn’t a question. It sounded more like an accusation.

That big hand even caressed Olivia’s small face.

Olivia immediately slapped his hand away.

Facing Michael alone in one room would drain all her energy, no matter what.

“Tch! Watch your mouth, Michael! What do you want? Hurry up. I don’t want to stay in this room any longer.”

It delighted him—just like that, and Olivia was already starting to lose her temper.

“I just want to give you this. Sign it. Take it with you for now. If you’re done or have any objections, just contact me.”

Olivia accepted what looked like a proposal. She read it first, then opened the first page. Her eyes widened in shock.

“A marriage agreement?”

“Put it away for now, sweetheart. We’re going into the meeting. Everyone’s already waiting,”

Michael said as he closed the papers and opened the door.

He left the office first, leaving Olivia behind, still shocked by everything that had just happened.