The CEO's Secret Obsession-Chapter 122: Olivia’s plan

[Hospital]

The room felt lighter than it had in days.

Not because the machines were gone entirely or because the ache in Alexander’s body had magically disappeared but because the worst had passed.

Alexander sat propped against the pillows, dressed in clean clothes instead of a hospital gown for the first time since the accident. His movements were slower, careful but his eyes were alert and steady again.

Evelyn stood close, pretending to focus on folding his discarded blanket while actually watching him from the corner of her eye. She was counting every breath, every blink, every small movement like reassurance she needed more than he did.

"You are hovering," Alexander said mildly.

She didn’t look up. "I am being attentive."

He smiled faintly. "You have adjusted the blanket four times."

"It was uneven," she replied without missing a beat.

Lucas, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, snorted. "If you adjust it again, I am calling the nurse to restrain you."

Evelyn shot him a look. "You are not helpful."

"I never claimed to be," he said easily. "But I am observant and you are about one breath away from carrying him bridal-style out of here."

Alexander glanced at her, amused. "Tempting."

She finally turned to face him, cheeks warm. "Don’t encourage him."

The door opened before the moment could stretch further.

Margaret walked in first with her cane tapping sharply against the floor, dressed as impeccably as ever.

Pauline followed, carrying a small container in her hands, her expression soft with relief the moment she saw Alexander sitting up.

"Well," Margaret said, assessing him from head to toe. "You look significantly less dead."

Alexander sighed. "Good morning to you too, Grandmother."

Pauline moved closer immediately, touching his shoulder, then his arm, as if confirming he was solid. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I survived," he replied honestly.

Margaret nodded once, satisfied. "As expected."

The doctor stepped in moments later, reviewing a clipboard and running through instructions—rest, medication, no driving, no work stress, no arguments.

Lucas muttered, "So basically a miracle."

Evelyn listened carefully, nodding, memorizing everything like it was sacred text.

When the paperwork was signed and the formalities were done, the doctor smiled. "You are cleared to go home."

For a brief second, the room went quiet.

Then Pauline exhaled shakily, relief finally cracking through her composure. Lucas straightened. Evelyn froze, then smiled, bright and unguarded.

"Home," she repeated softly.

Alexander reached for her hand without thinking and she took it immediately.

Margaret watched the exchange, sharp eyes softening just a fraction. "Good," she said. "Hospitals are dreadful places for thinking."

As they prepared to leave, Pauline pressed the food container into Evelyn’s hands. "It’s soup. He needs to eat properly."

"I will make sure he does," Evelyn promised.

Lucas grabbed the overnight bag. "I will drive, no arguments."

Alexander opened his mouth.

"Nope," Lucas cut in. "Doctor’s orders. You sit, I chauffeur."

As they stepped into the hallway together, the tension that had clung to them for days finally loosened.

It wasn’t gone but it was quieter.

And for the first time since the accident, it felt like life was inching forward again and none of them noticed yet that peace was only temporary.

.....

[Reid Mansion]

Jack was pacing again.

His phone vibrated in his hand for the third time in under ten minutes. Each buzz sent a sharp jolt through his chest, like a warning shot.

Olivia sat on the edge of the couch, watching him in silence.

"Read it," she said calmly.

Jack stopped mid-step. "You already know what it says."

"I want to hear it," she replied.

His jaw tightened. He unlocked his phone and shoved it toward her.

Unknown Number: You have forty-eight hours. Don’t make me repeat myself.

Another message followed immediately.

Unknown Number: I saw the discharge news. Congratulations. It would be tragic if your father learned how close he came to losing his favorite son.

Olivia’s fingers stilled around the phone.

And that did it.

This wasn’t just blackmail anymore, it was provocation.

"He is getting bold," she said quietly.

Jack laughed under his breath a broken, panicked sound. "Bold? He is insane. He is enjoying this."

"He feels safe," Olivia replied, eyes narrowing. "That’s dangerous."

Jack dragged a hand through his hair. "He wants ten million, cash. He keeps reminding me he can go public anytime."

"And you still haven’t paid."

"I can’t," Jack snapped. "Every financial move I make is under scrutiny. Dad’s assistant checks everything now. If I touch anything, I am done."

Olivia stood slowly. "Give me the phone."

Jack hesitated, then handed it over.

She scrolled through the messages carefully, her expression unreadable. No panic, no fear. Just calculation.

"This man isn’t planning to disappear after payment," she said finally.

Jack frowned. "What?" 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"If he were, he would take the money quietly and vanish," Olivia continued. "Instead, he is escalating, taunting and inserting himself into your life."

She looked up at him. "That means he wants leverage and control."

Jack’s chest tightened. "So what do I do?"

Olivia stepped closer. "You stop reacting."

She unlocked her own phone and opened a blank message.

"You are going to ask him for a meeting."

Jack stiffened. "A meeting? Are you insane?"

"No," she said calmly. "I am being practical."

"He could record me, set me up or kill me."

"He won’t," Olivia replied. "Men like him don’t kill leverage. They milk it."

Jack stared at her. "Why meet him at all?"

"Because I need to see him," she said softly.

Something in her tone made Jack uneasy.

"Why?" he asked.

She met his gaze. "Because I want to know if he is bluffing or if he is stupid."

Jack shook his head. "I don’t like this."

"You don’t have to like it," Olivia said. "You just have to follow instructions."

She typed quickly, then turned the screen toward him.

Message Draft: I don’t want this dragging on. Let’s talk face-to-face. One meeting. Then we settle it.

Jack swallowed. "Where?"

"A place with no cameras," Olivia replied. "Secluded and quiet."

His voice dropped. "Late at night?"

"Yes."

Jack hesitated. "Why are you so calm?"

Olivia smiled faintly.

"Because this is the moment where problems either grow or disappear."

A chill slid down his spine.

"You are scaring me," he said.

She reached out, adjusting his collar like a caring mother would.

"Good," she whispered. "Fear keeps you alive."

Jack stared at the phone, then hit send.

Three seconds later, it buzzed.

Unknown Number: Name the place.

Jack’s breath hitched and Olivia’s eyes gleamed — sharp, focused, satisfied.

"Good," she said softly. "He is predictable."

Jack looked at her, panic swirling behind his eyes. "What happens at this meeting?"

She turned away, already reaching for her coat.

"That," she said calmly, "depends on how cooperative he is."

....