Trapped in a Secret Marriage with a Dangerous Billionaire - Chapter 77

Chapter 77: Stella’s Bait

As soon as Olivia and her mother stepped into her bedroom, Stella closed the door behind them and turned to her daughter, her brows furrowed with irritation. The silence in the room was thick, broken only by the faint murmur of music from the reception at the other wing of the house.

Stella’s sharp gaze fixed on Olivia, her voice low but piercing as she spoke. “What were you thinking with that vow, Olivia?” she demanded, crossing her arms tightly. “Do you have any idea how you embarrassed our family in front of those guests?”

Olivia’s lips tightened as she turned away, giving a dismissive shrug. “I didn’t embarrass anyone, Mum,” she replied, her tone flat.

Stella’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, really? And you think our guests are fools who wouldn’t understand the meaning behind your words? Most of them must have seen that article about Owen by now, so I have no doubt they caught on quickly to the real message in your vow.”

Olivia’s silence spoke louder than words. She glanced at her mother from the corner of her eye, her posture stiffening as she looked away again, refusing to engage. Stella shook her head, her disapproval weighing heavily in the air.

“Your attitude is reckless, Olivia,” Stella continued, her tone more severe. “Do you realize that stunts like that make us look small in the eyes of the other powerful families? Our reputation doesn’t end with you and Owen—it affects all of us.”

Olivia let out a huff, her arms folding across her chest. “Well, someone had to get back at him for what he did. No one else seemed willing to help me with that, so I did it myself.”

A small, knowing smile crept onto Stella’s face. She leaned in, her voice dropping to a murmur. “And what makes you think no one avenged you?”

Olivia’s eyes narrowed in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“If I didn’t care about what happened to you, do you think Owen wouldn’t have come alone yesterday instead of with his parents?” Stella’s gaze darkened, a hint of pride in her tone as she watched Olivia absorb her words.

For a long moment, Olivia was silent, processing her mother’s statement. Then she tilted her head slightly, her curiosity piqued. “What did you do to him?”

A sly smile curved Stella’s lips as she replied, “I sent a few men to teach him a lesson. Nothing he would be proud to report of course.”

The disbelief in Olivia’s eyes quickly turned to admiration, though she tried to hide it. “You… you actually did that?”

“Of course,” Stella said, unfazed. “No one crosses my daughter and walks away unscathed.”

Olivia’s face softened for a moment before her mother’s expression shifted, more serious now as she issued her warning. “But Olivia, remember this—you can’t take your revenge out in the open like you did earlier. Do you want to make a mockery of our family?”

Olivia’s gaze dropped slightly, her jaw tensing as Stella continued, “If you want to keep your dignity and control, you have to learn to move quietly, without announcing your every intention. That’s how you stay one step ahead.”

Olivia nodded, and a faint sense of calm settled over her. She knew her mother was right, even if she resented hearing it. Just then, a knock on the door broke the tension, and Olivia’s team entered to get her ready for the reception. Stella slipped out with a final approving nod, leaving her daughter in their capable hands.

The stylists worked swiftly, changing Olivia’s look with practised ease. Her hair was let down into loose waves that cascaded down her back, while a fresh layer of makeup brightened her features. When they helped her into the red ball gown, Olivia felt every bit the star, its rich crimson hue perfectly complementing her skin as it swayed with each step.

An hour later, Olivia descended the staircase and walked down the long hallway connecting to the East Wing making a grand entrance into the hall, where a wave of applause rose to greet her.

The guests turned to watch, enchanted by her radiant appearance, while Owen stood near the dance floor, his expression unreadable as she approached.

The soft notes of a waltz began to play immediately, signalling the first dance. Without speaking, Olivia took Owen’s hand, letting him lead her across the floor, his hands firm around her waist.

Owen tried a few times to catch her eye and start up a light conversation, but she kept her gaze fixed elsewhere, forcing a polite smile as they swayed in rhythm. It was as though a glass wall separated them—close in proximity, yet distant in every other way.

As the dance ended, they turned to the crowd, a smattering of polite claps echoing around them. The master of ceremonies raised his glass to announce a toast, and the guests followed suit, raising their glasses high.

When the toast concluded, Owen and Olivia linked arms and began moving from table to table, offering pleasantries and polite smiles as they clinked champagne glasses with the guests.

Stella had been meticulous with the reception’s arrangements, and only Vintage Cella’s exclusive champagne was served—a subtle jab at Aurora, whose Fruit Punch Champagne was notably absent, a choice overseen by Stella herself.

As Olivia moved through the room, offering forced smiles and empty words, she suddenly caught sight of a familiar face lingering in the back of the hall—Victor, the notorious playboy. A wave of annoyance crossed her face, and her smile faded instantly. Owen, noticing the change, leaned in with a puzzled expression.

“What’s wrong?” he murmured, but she simply handed her champagne flute to him and slipped away, ignoring his question entirely.

Olivia found her mother chatting with a few friends and pulled her aside to the balcony, her displeasure clear. “Mum, what’s that playboy doing here?” she hissed, gesturing back toward the hall. “Why would you invite someone like Victor to my wedding? Are you trying to ruin it?”

Stella glanced at her daughter calmly, unruffled by her outburst. “Calm down, Olivia. I have my reasons. Victor’s presence here is for a purpose.”

Olivia arched a brow sceptically, crossing her arms. “What reason could possibly justify him being here of all places?”

Stella leaned in, lowering her voice. “Relax, I invited him here to use him as bait to lure the man behind your sister out. If Aurora doesn’t remember Victor’s face at all, surely that man who saved her on the night of your engagement would recognize him and confront him. But if that man doesn’t recognize him first, Victor will.”

The explanation did little to ease Olivia’s frustration. “You’re certain this won’t cause us any trouble?”

Stella’s expression softened into a confident smile. “Trust me, Olivia. I’ve thought this through. We’re safe. The only thing you should worry about is your father accidentally spilling the secret about Aurora’s biological father. He nearly did so earlier, and if I hadn’t interrupted, your sister would have his name by now.”

“What? He almost told her?” Olivia’s eyes widened, her hand flying to her mouth in shock. “Mum, Aurora had indeed come to find out about her biological father’s identity because Dad had finally agreed to give the information. We can’t let them be alone.”

“I won’t,” Stella promised, her eyes narrowing into splints.