Reborn to Dodge the Bad Marriage novel Chapter 302

Chapter 302 Careful What You Offer

After all, Constance had watched Olivia grow up.

Finished

Olivia kept pleading, but Harlan wouldn’t listen. He had the frame in his hands, and now he raised it over his head, ready to smash it

“Uncle Harlan!” Olivia threw up her hands to stop him. “Please don’t smash Grandma Weston’s picture, if only for my sake. What do you want me to do? What will it take for you to treat what Nora said as a joke?”

Then, she turned to Nora, looking frantic. “Nora, come help me talk him down! Just say something nice to

him!”

Saying something nice sounded harmless enough, but what Olivia really meant was that Nora should hurry up and beg Harlan.

Nora looked up at Harlan coolly. “If there’s so much as a scratch on Grandma’s picture, you’d better watch out, Uncle Harlan.” She glanced pointedly at the top of his head. “I’m sure you’d hate to end up bald.”

She said it so coldly that Harlan felt a chill on the back of his neck. For a split second, it seemed like she didn’t want to shave his head so much as twist it right off and kick it around like a soccer ball.

It was the same pressure he felt under Julian’s stare. Harlan’ stood there holding the frame high over his head, too scared to bring it down but just as afraid of looking weak.

Olivia looked anxiously at Nora. “Nora, why are you provoking him? You should be talking to him nicely.”

Then, she turned to Harlan, pleading. “Please don’t take it out on the picture. Nora didn’t mean it. If you could do it for my sake…”

She hadn’t even finished when Harlan, who’d already lost his nerve, jumped at the way out and lowered the frame. “Fine, I’ll do it for you, Olivia. Mother’s still my mother, after all.”

Olivia’s smile turned awkward. This wasn’t the outcome she’d wanted. She’d wanted Nora’s words to make Harlan so furious that he smashed every picture on the wall, so Julian could see exactly who had ruined everything.

Harlan might have spared the photos, but he was still dead set on kicking Julian and the others out of the main house.

“Move all their stuff out and bring mine in. I’m the man of this house now. And don’t call me Mr. Harlan anymore. It’s Mr. Weston!” With that, he picked up his mother’s memorial portrait, ready to hang it where Constance’s photo had been.

Since Harlan had done her a favor, Olivia figured that was a good sign and tried again. “What will it take for you to treat what Nora said as a joke?”

Harlan’s face fell again. “Olivia, we signed a contract. This is serious business, not a joke!”

Olivia pressed her lips together. “All you really want is the shares, isn’t it? As long as you leave Grandma Weston and Julian alone, I’ll give you one of the Blithe family’s hospitals, plus my shares. How’s that?”

10:53 am CT

Chapter 302 Careful What You Offer

Finished

Constance stared at Olivia in shock. “Olivia, what are you doing? You don’t have to do this.”

Olivia looked up at Constance and smiled. “I grew up by your side, she said gently. “You’re like a grandmother to me. When you’re in trouble, I’ll do everything I can to help you through it, even if you can’t stand me anymore.

“Besides, my grandma’s getting old, and she made a mistake in a moment of bad judgment. I want to apologize to you and Julian for it. This is the least I can do.”

She spoke so gently and sincerely that anyone listening would have believed her and been moved by every word.

Even Constance couldn’t help making excuses for her. Cordelia had done all of it, and Olivia hadn’t known a thing, so none of it was her fault. Constance opened her mouth to reassure her,

Before she could, Nora spoke up, her tone cool. “Ms. Blithe is making a huge sacrifice here, Uncle Harlan. She’s willing to give up a hospital and her shares. Aren’t you going to consider it? This is the Blithe family we’re talking about.

“If I were you, I’d at least do it for her sake. First, you’d get to look like the good guy, so nobody could call you heartless. Second, you’d walk away with the biggest payday, and the Blithes would owe you one. That’s a pretty sweet deal.”

At first, Harlan hadn’t even considered it. He’d been planning to turn her down flat. But Nora’s pointed remark gave him an idea.

Harlan looked at Olivia. “I’m not after your hospital or your shares. I just really like you, Olivia.

“So how about this? Give me one hospital, and I’ll pass on your shares. You marry Theo, and then we’ll be family. I’ll even listen to what you have to say as my daughter-in-law.

“If you’re willing, then for your sake, I’ll let Mother and Julian stay in the main house.”

Olivia’s face froze again. She’d never imagined Harlan would actually agree, much less change the terms and ask her to marry Theo!

This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. No matter how much she begged, even if she offered him the entire Blithe family, Harlan was supposed to turn her down flat.

That way, Nora would take all the blame, and Olivia’s sacrifice would win back Julian’s and Constance’s good opinion of her.

But Harlan had actually agreed, and now she had no graceful way to back out.

“Well?” Harlan asked her.

Olivia had committed to the act, so she had to see it through. For now, she had no choice but to agree. “All right. As long as you’ll give Julian a chance, I’ll do whatever it takes.”

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