Chapter 3 The Golden Couple
1361 Words
The elevator doors slowly opened, and Olivia Moore took a deep breath, following the Blackwood brothers into the core area of Blackwood Group. The spacious and bright office space spread out before them, busy employees bustling about, the air filled with the scent of coffee and an atmosphere of tension.
"Welcome to our little kingdom," Alexander smiled, his gaze sweeping across the entire floor.
Ethan gently held Olivia's hand, as if silently asserting his claim. "Let me show you around, darling."
As they walked through the office area, all eyes were involuntarily drawn to them. Olivia felt the gazes - some envious, some curious, some doubtful - but she maintained an elegant smile, as if she naturally belonged here.
"This is our trading room," Ethan said, pointing to a huge space surrounded by glass walls. Inside, traders sat staring at multiple monitors, their eyes rapidly scanning constantly changing numbers and charts, fingers dancing across keyboards.
Olivia marveled at the scene before her. "It's truly impressive," she said sincerely.
Alexander stood behind her, his deep voice carrying over. "Here, millions of dollars change hands every day. Sometimes, a small decision can change the fate of a company."
Olivia turned to look at him, a spark of interest in her eyes. "Sounds exciting."
"And dangerous," Ethan interjected, a note of warning in his voice. "That's why we need the best talent."
The gazes of the three met in the air, a subtle tension rising.
Just then, a middle-aged man in an impeccable suit walked briskly towards them. "Mr. Blackwood, Mr. Blackwood," he nodded first to Alexander, then turned to Ethan, "The report on the Morgan project is ready."
Ethan frowned slightly. "I'll be right there." He turned to Olivia, apologetically saying, "Sorry, darling, I need to handle something. Alex, can you continue showing Olivia around?"
Alexander nodded with a smile: "Of course, my pleasure."
After Ethan left, the atmosphere suddenly became subtle. Olivia and Alexander walked side by side, maintaining a polite yet distant space between them, but the invisible attraction grew stronger.
"So, Miss Moore," Alexander said softly, "what do you think of our little kingdom?"
Olivia smiled in response: "Impressive. But I'm more curious about what roles everyone plays in this kingdom."
Alexander raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised and appreciative of her answer. "A clever question. Here, everyone has their place, but the real art is in finding balance in this complex game of chess."
They arrived at a spacious conference room with a panoramic view of New York through floor-to-ceiling windows. Alexander gestured for Olivia to sit down, while he leaned against the window.
"You know, Olivia," his gaze deep and captivating, "in this world, the outward glitter and glamour often mask inner struggles and contradictions."
Olivia felt her heart rate increase, but she maintained a calm exterior. "Sounds like you have deep insights into this world, Mr. Blackwood."
Alexander chuckled lightly: "Call me Alex. After all, we'll soon be family."
Just then, Ethan's voice came from the doorway: "I hope I'm not interrupting any important conversation."
Olivia quickly stood up and walked towards Ethan. "Of course not, darling. Alex was just explaining how the company operates."
Ethan put his arm around Olivia's waist, but his gaze lingered on his brother. "We should go, we have an important dinner to attend."
As they left the Blackwood Group building, Alexander's meaningful words echoed in Olivia's mind. She knew she was stepping into a world full of temptation and danger, and she had to carefully find her place.
The dinner was held at New York's top restaurant. When Ethan and Olivia entered hand in hand, all eyes were drawn to them. They looked like a perfect golden couple, shining with enviable radiance.
"Ethan, my boy!" A chubby middle-aged man approached enthusiastically, "This must be your fiancée? She's heavenly beautiful!"
Ethan proudly introduced, "Uncle Jack, this is Olivia Moore. Olivia, this is my father's old friend, Jack Thompson."
Olivia extended her hand gracefully: "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Thompson."
"Call me Uncle Jack, dear," Jack said with a jovial smile, "I hear you've achieved quite a lot in the PR field?"
Olivia humbly replied, "I just try my best to do my job well."
"Don't be too modest," Ethan chimed in, "Olivia is one of the youngest PR directors in New York."
The people around them expressed admiration, and Olivia felt more curious and scrutinizing gazes. She knew this was an opportunity to prove herself.
During the dinner that followed, Olivia displayed amazing social skills. She gracefully handled every question, wittily responded to every compliment, and quickly won the favor of most people present.
Ethan proudly watched his fiancée, occasionally whispering compliments in her ear. But Olivia felt a hint of unease, knowing that more complex emotions and relationships were hidden beneath this perfect facade.
Just as the dinner was about to end, Alexander appeared. He elegantly made his way through the crowd to Ethan and Olivia.
"Sorry I'm late," he said with a smile, "There were some urgent matters at the company that needed attention."
Olivia noticed Ethan's expression instantly becoming tense. "It's alright," Ethan said, trying to remain calm, "What matters is that you're here."
Alexander's gaze lingered on Olivia for a moment before turning to the guests around. "Ladies and gentlemen," he raised his glass, his voice resonant, "Let's toast to Ethan and Olivia's upcoming wedding!"
Applause and cheers erupted, and Olivia felt Ethan's arm tighten around her waist. She forced a smile, unable to suppress the complex emotions welling up inside her.
When the dinner ended, Ethan drove Olivia home. At the foot of her apartment building, he gently kissed her lips. "You were amazing tonight, darling. Everyone loves you."
Olivia smiled in response: "Thank you, I just wanted to make you proud."
Watching Ethan's car disappear into the night, Olivia let out a long breath. She walked into her apartment, took off those expensive high heels, and sank into the soft sofa.
Suddenly, her phone vibrated, and a message popped up:
"Your performance in this world is impressive. But I wonder, what is the real you like? —— A"
Olivia stared at the screen, her heart racing. She knew this message was from Alexander, and she also knew what consequences replying might bring. But her fingers moved uncontrollably across the keyboard:
"Maybe one day you'll find out. Good night, Alex."
After sending this message, Olivia immediately threw the phone aside, as if it had suddenly become too hot to handle. She closed her eyes, her mind constantly replaying everything that had happened today.
The wealth and power of the Blackwood family, Ethan's deep affection and trust, Alexander's subtle ambiguity, and her own indescribable inner conflict and desire.
Olivia knew she was standing at a crossroads in her life. On one side was the high society life and career success she had always dreamed of, on the other was her heart's true desire and a longing for the unknown.
She stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the brightly lit New York. This sleepless city seemed to silently speak of countless people's dreams and struggles.
"What do I really want?" Olivia asked herself softly.
The neon lights outside flickered, as if responding to her question. Olivia knew the answer wasn't simple. But she had already set foot on this path, and whatever lay ahead, she had to face it bravely.
She took a deep breath, casting aside all doubts and unease. Tomorrow would be a new day, and she, Olivia Moore, would continue to play her role perfectly. As for her heart's true desires, perhaps only time could provide the answer.
As the night deepened, Olivia lay in bed, unable to fall asleep. She knew that from today on, her life would never be peaceful again. But perhaps this was the excitement and meaning she had been looking for all along.
With these thoughts, Olivia finally drifted off to sleep. And in her dreams, she saw herself standing before a giant maze, two paths stretching out before her. One led to light and stability, the other disappeared into the mist, full of the unknown and danger.
- Writer
