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    Olivia didn’t even nce at Lucas, her mind clearly elsewhere as she answered offhandedly, “Just curious.”

    Setting his fork down, Andrew said, “I met her once, fifteen years ago. She was a really smart little girl. An engagement was arranged between us, as our families have been close for generations.

    “From the moment she was born, her whole family doted on her. Even my grandpa was smitten. If Samuel hadn’t stepped in, he probably would’ve tried to steal her away and raise her himself.

    “But then she was taken, and no one has any idea where she is now.”

    Andrew looked genuinely wistful as he said this. He’d only talked to Ivy a couple of times as a kid, but she once gave him a cheese pastry. In his eyes, Ivy was a warm, sweet little girl.

    All these years, Andrew had tried to help look for Ivy, but the clues were always scattered, and it was impossible to tell what was real and what was just a rumor. They never managed to find her.

    “An engagement?” Olivia echoed. For some reason, out of everything Andrew had just said, that was the only thing she heard.

    Afraid Olivia might get the wrong idea, Andrew quickly said, “I’ll make sure the engagement is canceled. My grandpa already promised me–once she’s found, the engagement will be over.”

    Olivia just gave a soft “mm” and didn’t say anything more, but she couldn’t help feeling a bit lighter inside.

    Andrew finally sensed something was off and asked tentatively, “Ms. Summers, how do you feel about engagements like that?”

    Not even looking up from her food, Olivia replied, “It’s just forcing people into something against their will.” She thought, ‘If anyone ever tries to arrange a marriage for me, I’d definitely beat them up.

    Andrew took off his sses and rubbed his brow. He said, “Ms. Summers, you and I do think alike. Honestly, I’ve barely met Ivy Summers. The whole engagement was rushed just because of some fortune–teller’s reading.”

    As soon as he brought up fortune–telling, Olivia instantly got interested. She asked, “What kind of reading was it?”

    Andrew exined, “A fortune–teller said my whole life was doomed–no romance, weak

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    health, constant disasters, and I’d never make it past 28. The only way to break the curse was to marry Ivy Summers and borrow her good fortune to ward off my bad luck.”

    Olivia raised an eyebrow and said, “That’s really something. So why are you still trying to cancel the engagement? You’re just going to throw your life away?”

    Andrew paused for a moment, his fingers twitching slightly. He then said, “I don’t believe in fate.”

    Besides, Andrew thought, ‘If I just marry Ivy to save myself without ever asking what she wants, that’s way too unfair to her. She deserves better than that.‘

    Popping another piece of meat into her mouth, Olivia said, “You’re quite the rebel, huh?” The room grew warm, so she started fanning herself. She reassured Andrew, “Rx, as long as I’m here, you’re not dying on my watch.”

    With his eyes full of amusement, Andrew picked up a folding fan and gently fanned her. He said, “Seems like I’ll be counting on you then, Ms. Summers.”

    Olivia wasn’t just making it up—she’d actually done a fortune–telling for Andrew herself. Her reading said he’d pass away at thirty, not twenty–eight.

    She thought, ‘His illness is pretty rare, but it isn’t like there’s no way to fix it. Getting him back to full health is just a matter of time.’

    Lucas watched Andrew, rolling his eyes so hard it was a wonder they didn’t get stuck. He grumbled inwardly, ‘Always kissing up to Olivia. What a phony!‘

    Suddenly, something clicked for Ethan. He stared at Olivia, her face tugging at his memory- she looked so familiar. Out of nowhere, he murmured under his breath, “Olivia Summers, She’s a Summers, too.”

    AD