They came to a nearby restaurant and asked for a room. Gentlemanly, Albert pulled the chair out for Olivia and made the orders. He wasn’t overly sycophantic; he was polite and caring. It felt nice being in his company. Even when the food was served, he let her eat without any interruptions.
River dug into his food quietly as well. When Olivia finally put down her cutlery, the men did as well, and Albert asked, “Do you want anything else?”
“It’s alright. I had my fill.”
“So, um, are the kids alright?”
“They are.” “I know it’s less than polite to disturb you, but this is urgent.” Olivia smiled. “If this is about the necklace, I’m sorry, but I can’t help. I have no idea why you would come all the way here for a necklace. It’s perplexing, to say the least.”
Before he told her why he came, she wouldn’t let him see the necklace. Jewel was right. Olivia was suspecting that the necklace she had was proof that she was heir to Eurosia’s throne. Judging from the color and craftsmanship, it looked like the real deal. However, this is not good news since it means the current queen’s necklace is fake. There’s no way both are real. In other words, she lied to her people and usurped the throne with a counterfeit, she deduced in her mind.
If she finds out I have the necklace, she might issue a kill order without finding out how I came to possess the necklace. As for Albert, I’m still not sure which side he is on. If he’s the queen’s enemy, he can use the necklace to snatch the throne away from her, and I’d be nothing but their pawn, Olivia thought to herself.
Even though she might be a descendant of Eurosia’s royalty, she didn’t care. Not when her life was on the line. So what if they were related by blood? Many people would kill their families for power, especially those born to royalty.
Albert was in a rut. He had been out for so long yet still made no progress. Olivia was his only lead, yet she refused to admit that she had the necklace and was trying to find out the reason behind his sudden visit. He was starting to wonder if she was simply curious or if she actually had the necklace and was just waiting for him to be honest before she would show anything.
“Miss Maxwell, you’re a smart and beautiful woman, and you’re Eugene’s girlfriend, too. I don’t think you would be interested in anything. that is none of your business. Thus, I believe. you do have the necklace, but you won’t admit it for some reason. Is it because of me? Do you wish to have more honesty from me?”
Olivia put on a perfect and dazzling smile. “Oh, this is very much my business. I used to be the owner of that necklace. Of course, I’d like to know why you’re searching tirelessly for it.” She sipped her glass of wine calmly, and Albert was a little miffed. He chuckled. “Are we friends, Miss Maxwell?”
She tilted her head, her eyes glinting with cunning. “Why are you throwing the ball into my court, Mr. Bleu? This is a hard question to answer. Everyone has different definitions of friends, after all.”
Albert frowned at that. “So, what kind of people do you consider as friends, Miss Maxwell?”
“Well, they don’t have to risk their necks for me, but I have to trust them with my own life. People who make small talk with me don’t get to be my friends.”
Albert knew things wouldn’t be easy, but Olivia was making it difficult to progress with her clear rejection. So, she’s saying she doesn’t see me as a friend, even though I think of her as one.
Before he could explain himself, River couldn’t hold it in anymore. He stepped ahead and shot Olivia with an icy look.
