A Billionaire's Vows To His Donor Bride

CHAPTER 8 Grandma Takes A Stand

OLIVIA

I suppose that Alexander left as he woke up, probably before the sun even rose. I cannot say I never expected it, but I was hoping that he would have breakfast with us before he goes to either work or Nichole; whichever it is.

His absence has proved to me that he has no guilty conscience. I thought he would come to his senses and apologise for harassing me the way he did last night. I was scared and I thought he was going to hurt me badly. Do I make him so angry that he would want to hurt me like that? But anyway, even if it was not my fault yesterday, I know he would want me to apologise for it because he thinks I am ruining his life.

I shake my head as I get out of bed and get ready for the morning.

I make my way downstairs and I meet Catherine who is also making her way to the breakfast table. I smile and hug her. She returns the hug before we continue our way to the dining area.

“You are early for breakfast today. How are you doing today?” She genuinely asks.

“I am very much better, thank you for asking. Did you have a good sleep?” I ask, conversing with her.

“I did.” We sit around the dining table and chat. She then tilts her head and sighs. Why is she looking at me as if she is suspecting something? “You seemed a lot better yesterday, but you look diverse today. Are you sure that you are feeling better?”

Oh, does my face show any sign from last night? Do I have any bruises or swollen face?

“Uhm, well… yes, I am sure, grandma. You have nothing to worry about,” I lie between my gritted teeth.

I did not check myself in the mirror today. I must be looking different.

“Mm, okay.” She says, doubtfully. “I remember you said you are a doctor, right? What doctor are you?” She changes the topic. She often does that when she notices how uncomfortable I get with certain matters.

“Yes, I am a neurological surgeon,”

She gasp and lets out a surprised smile.

“That is amazing, but big. It takes a lot of endurance and valour to reach that level, especially when you are a woman. You must have been smart in school,”

I smile when the old memories flash in my head. I remember when I was doing my first year, and things started getting serious in university, especially in anatomy lectures. Every time after lectures, I would head straight to Alexander’s place and cry in his arms because I wanted to give up, but he encouraged me to be strong and to be bold. He told me that I shouldn’t be afraid because he will always be there for me.

I made him a promise that with me by his side, he would never get sick because I would always be there to make him feel better, and he promised not to leave me.

Yet he has forgotten me today.

My eyes start to burn from tears. I quickly blink them away and respond to Catherine,

“Fortunately, I am strong and bold. That is why I achieved one of my goals,” I firmly say.

“I am glad, and I know girls courageous like you are not easily intimidated. I am proud of you,”

Not easily intimidated. Only if she knew how my childhood was, she would not be saying that.

Taylor, the assistant from the family company comes in and says her greetings before she sits down and sighs as if she is bearing heavy news.

“I am sorry to interrupt you so early while you were having breakfast, but I need to report about work. Investors are threatening to leave the company, and also clients. They want to cut ties with us because of bad publicity that is always being reported about Mr. Wayne and his private life. He has not even shown up at work for the past three days and he has been counselling his meetings. Everyone is mad,” She explains.

“Oh, what!? And I am only finding out today? Where is the PR and why has he not been doing anything to help him about his publicity?” Catherine exclaims, wrathfully.

“He tried, but Mr. Wayne is not easy to influence. His mind seemed to be somewhere rather than work. He is always with his woman,”

I look down upon hearing that.

“How can he be so stupid!? When I told him to follow his heart, I never thought he would leave everything including the family company!” Megan enters the room, angry at her son.

“If it is like that, then he needs to voluntarily step down, or we will have to force him down. Call him,” Catherine orders.

“What? Mother, you cannot fire my son. He is just going through certain things that she put him through!” Megan points at me.

“He should know better not to mix his feelings with work!” Catherine sneers. “I will not sit here and watch him take down our legacy. He needs to learn a lesson,”

“His phone is off, Ma’am. We have been trying him all morning,” Taylor says.

“I guess we have no choice but forcefully remove his title as the CEO of WIH. We will announce it at our orphanage opening ceremony tonight,”

Oh, no. I do not like this for him, but he is being incompetent. Catherine cannot lose this company because of him. Walker Investment Holdings is the legacy that should be passed on to the next legacy and needs to be passed on to the next generation of the Walker family.

“A ceremony? Can I come too?” I anxiously ask, hoping to go.

“Of course. It was Alexander’s idea to open an orphanage and today will be the launch of it,”

I frown.

“Do you think it will be alright that you announce his dismissal at the ceremony of the orphanage he worked hard for?”

“Wow. Even with the treatment you get from him, you still care about him. You have a good heart, Olivia,” Catherine announces with a big smile. “I hope you knock some senses in that boy’s head someday. For now, I will refrain from firing him,”

It is actually fascinating to see that not only I am achieving my goals, but Alexander is too. I remember him talking so boldly about opening an orphanage some day and he would make sure that no child would have to suffer the same way I did. Now, it is happening today, and I am so happy to be here to witness his achievement as I said I would back then… he just wouldn’t know that I would be there because the girl promised him that is now different that he cannot recognise.

“What are you going to wear? I hope you won’t be wearing rags and embarrass our family,” Megan rudely spits, unbothered.

I bet it will be a sophisticated celebration, and truth is, I have nothing to wear. I do not want to embarrass myself, and I know there will be paparazzi, and everyone is curious about me. They will expect me to look elegant. What am I going to do?

“Megan, just stop with your silly remarks. Do not worry, Olivia; I got you. Taylor, can you please call our fashionista and tell her it is urgent. My granddaughter-in-law needs her help. She must also bring the glam team too,”

I smile in amusement. All this trouble for me? I am so grateful for this. Now that is settled, I can’t wait to attend the celebration.

***

The evening has come, and my look is complete. I am so emotional, standing in front of the mirror, looking at myself. The glam team made sure that I look part of this family. From head to toe, I look like a princess. My hair is styled and tied so beautifully. My makeup is on point, and the lashes are extravagant, popping my brown eyes, and the makeup has enhanced my caramel skin. The red lipstick compliments the green jumpsuit that is fitting me like a glove. I had to top up this look with my black block-heeled ankle boots and a white jacket. I love this look. I haven’t looked this good in ages, all thanks to Catherine.

We all get to the orphanage, and as expected, the reporters have been waiting for us to walk on that red carpet and take family photos while they fire us with questions. The bodyguards are there to protect us and keep the journalists distant from us.

“Mrs. Walker. Why isn’t your husband walking in with you? Are you coming separately? Is he bringing the other woman? Is it true that he does not come to his home because of you?”

I am trying so hard not to let this get to me, but if this is how my night here will be, I would rather go home. People are not even here for what brought us here, but for gossip. Will this be over? I bet not when Alexander always gives them something to talk about.

Catherine holds my hand while Megan is gladly smiling.