CHAPTER 27: OLIVIA’S GOSSIP

[Reid Mansion]

The sunlight filtered weakly through the tall windows of the Reid mansion and everything gleamed, much like the woman who now stood at the far end of the dining table, swirling honey into her tea as though the world revolved around her fingertips.

Olivia Reid had always looked the part, refined, poised and every inch the picture of elegance.But behind that soft smile was a woman built of ambition and envy, the kind that learned early on that beauty and timing could open doors money never could.

Twenty years ago, she had walked into Benjamin Reid’s life as a young socialite who was clever, striking and hungry for power and money.

Olivia Grant was an event planner’s daughter with dreams too big for her bank account but she was quick to learn the ways of men like Benjamin.

She had laughed at his jokes, listened when his wife didn’t and stayed long enough after one late-night charity gala to make sure she wasn’t forgotten.

Now, she had everything she had once wanted, the mansion, the name, the status and yet she felt like a guest in someone else’s home.

Because no matter how many years passed, she could never erase Pauline Reid’s shadow.

Pauline was graceful, adored and still the name that Benjamin slipped into conversation when he wasn’t thinking.

Olivia’s smile faltered as she stirred her tea harder than necessary.

The rustle of a newspaper drew her attention.

Benjamin was seated at the head of the table. He was impeccably dressed as always and his silver cufflinks caught the morning light.

He didn’t look at her when she entered. In fact, he rarely did anymore.

"Good morning," she said smoothly, her tone polished but distant.

He hummed in acknowledgment without looking up.

Olivia took her seat across from him, watching him over the rim of her cup. "You seem unusually calm today,"

"You are late," he said without looking up.

She smiled faintly. "It’s only ten and you know I don’t start my mornings with numbers and ink."

Benjamin hummed, eyes still fixed on the paper. "No, you start them with gossip and ambition."

"Someone has to keep the social circle alive," she replied easily, pouring herself tea. "Otherwise, who would tell you what the world whispers about your family?"

That caught his attention. The paper lowered slightly. "Is that what you came for? Whispers?"

Olivia took her time, adding honey, stirring and letting the silence stretch before she dropped her words like bait. "Your mother invited Evelyn to Pauline’s house yesterday."

Benjamin didn’t react immediately but there was a faint shift of his eyes.

"Evelyn Carter?" he repeated, his voice low. "Gregory Carter’s daughter?"

"The very same," Olivia said in a tone which was a blend of sweetness and poison. "And as luck would have it, Alexander was there too. Isn’t that fascinating?"

Benjamin folded the newspaper carefully and set it aside, finally looking up. "Alexander was there?"

Olivia smiled thinly. "He was and apparently, your mother thought it would be delightful to reunite everyone under the same roof. I mean my charming mother-in-law, your dear first wife, your eldest son and your youngest son’s former girlfriend is quite the family portrait."

Benjamin leaned back in his chair with his fingers steepled. "How did you hear all this?"

"Oh, Benjamin," she said with a soft and mocking laugh. "You think I don’t have friends in that circle? People talk, especially when your family makes it impossible not to."

He regarded her quietly for a long moment. Then, with a tone that was too mild to be casual, he asked, "And? What exactly happened between them?"

Olivia blinked. "Between who?"

"Alexander and Evelyn," Benjamin said simply and his eyes didn’t waver from hers. "Were they seen together? Talking? Anything notable?"

The question caught her off guard. "Why do you care?" she asked slowly, narrowing her gaze. "I thought you didn’t even like when their names are mentioned in the same sentence."

Benjamin’s expression didn’t change but something sharp glinted beneath his calm. "It’s not about liking or disliking, it’s about understanding where this is headed."

Olivia frowned, setting her teacup down with a soft click. "You mean the gossip and the scandal."

"Perhaps," Benjamin said, almost absently. "Or perhaps I am just curious how far my mother intends to go."

Olivia studied him carefully. He was too calm and too composed.

She had lived long enough beside Benjamin Reid to know that when he was quiet, he was thinking and when he was thinking, he was definitely plotting something.

"You are taking this rather lightly," she said, her tone light but edged. "I expected you to call Pauline or your mother and well—" she shrugged, "Shout at them and that is usually your way of keeping order."

Benjamin smirked faintly. "Yelling never fixed anything in this family."

"No but it keeps people in their place," she countered. "And right now, mother seems determined to step out of hers."

He turned his gaze to her."Let her be, she enjoys her games." He then smirked, "I am just happy she has found something to entertain herself."

Olivia raised her brows. "So you don’t mind being played?"

When he shrugged his shoulders, Olivia asked. "And what if she is not playing with you this time? What if she is playing for someone else?"

Benjamin tilted his head slightly. "You mean Alexander."

Her smile froze for half a second before she recovered. "If you already know then why ask?"

"I wanted to hear how you say it," Benjamin replied. "You have a talent for making truths sound like threats."

Olivia leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand and studying him. "And you have a talent for pretending not to care until it benefits you. So tell me, Benjamin, why are you so interested in whether Alexander and Evelyn might be involved?"

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he reached for his coffee, took a slow sip and finally said, "Because if they are, that changes everything."

Her eyes narrowed. "Everything?"

He met her gaze and for a brief moment, Olivia felt the old, familiar chill that used to draw her to him. The calculating quiet of a man who could turn love into a weapon and make it look like strategy.

"Yes," Benjamin said softly. "Everything."

The room went quiet.

Olivia sat back and her fingers tightened subtly against her cup. She hated that tone, the knowing one. The one that made her feel like she was always two steps behind him.

"You are hiding something," she said at last.

Benjamin smiled faintly. "Am I?"

She watched him rise, pick up his paper again and start for the study as though she weren’t even there.

"You usually are," she murmured under her breath.

He paused at the doorway, his back to her. "Maybe—" he said, without turning. "But then again, Olivia, so are you."

And with that, he left.

Olivia’s smile vanished completely. She stared at the doorway for a long time.

Margaret. Pauline. Evelyn. Alexander.

One by one, she repeated their names silently, her eyes narrowing.

If Benjamin wanted to watch how far this went, she would make sure it went far enough to burn them all.

....