Transferred to another life

*Chapter Fifty-Six: The Hidden Invitation**

*

Olivia paced her study, the soft flicker of candlelight casting shadows on the ornate wood of the fireplace. The lingering doubt about Vincent's sudden return gnawed at her. She had learned long ago that in Darkwood Manor, trust was a fragile and dangerous thing. And yet, here he was—back, when everything had begun to unravel.

The family didn't know Vincent had returned. In fact, no one knew but her.

She had kept his arrival secret, biding her time, waiting for the right moment to decide what to do with him. But now, after everything that had happened, she felt it was time to confront him head-on.

Olivia took a deep breath and made her way out of her study, glancing cautiously down the hall. The estate was quiet, the rest of the family preoccupied with their own schemes and suspicions. As she moved toward the staircase, she spotted Vincent waiting in the shadows, just where she had told him to be.

"Vincent," she said softly, her voice low. "Follow me. We need to talk."

He stepped forward, his ever-present smirk lighting up his face. "As you wish," he replied smoothly, his gaze never leaving hers.

Without another word, Olivia led him down the winding corridors of Darkwood Manor, her heart beating steadily as she walked. She had chosen the parlor room, tucked away in a quieter part of the estate, for their conversation. It was a private space—somewhere they could speak without fear of interruption.

When they reached the parlor, Olivia opened the door and gestured for Vincent to step inside. He did so, his eyes scanning the room as if measuring it for its worth. She closed the door behind them, sealing them in the quiet elegance of the dimly lit space.

Vincent took a seat near the fireplace, crossing his legs and leaning back as if he owned the room. "This feels familiar," he said, his tone light but tinged with amusement. "Tea with you in Darkwood Manor. It's almost nostalgic."

Olivia forced a small smile. "Yes. Nostalgic indeed."

She moved to a small table by the wall, where the tea tray had been carefully prepared. Pouring two cups, she carried them over and set one in front of Vincent, before sitting down across from him. For a moment, they sat in silence, the only sound the soft crackle of the fire.

She studied him, looking for any sign of his true intentions. He was as charming as ever, his easy confidence radiating from him like a well-practiced mask. But Olivia had learned to see beyond appearances. Vincent wasn't here for idle conversation or pleasantries.

"Why did you come back, Vincent?" she asked finally, her voice steady but probing.

Vincent took a sip of his tea, his eyes meeting hers over the rim of the cup. He set it down, leaning forward slightly. "I came back because I heard the family was in chaos. I wanted to make sure you were all right."

Olivia raised an eyebrow. "You've never been one for concern. So let's not pretend that's the reason. What do you really want?"

Vincent's smirk returned, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Straight to the point, I see. I suppose I should have expected as much from you."

He leaned back again, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest of the chair. "I heard rumors, Olivia. About your family. About you. And I knew that now was the time to return. After all, you and I always had a... unique connection, didn't we?"

Olivia felt her stomach tighten. She had expected a smooth lie or perhaps even some attempt to weave himself back into her life under false pretenses. But this—this was Vincent admitting, in his own cryptic way, that he had always been playing a game.

"And what exactly do you hope to achieve by coming back?" she asked, her tone sharp.

Vincent's eyes flickered with amusement. "Achieve? You know me better than that. I'm not here for some grand plan or to play the villain in your family's drama. I'm here because I think you and I... well, we have unfinished business."

Unfinished business. The words hung in the air between them. Olivia's mind raced. She knew she had to play this carefully. She couldn't let him see the unease creeping into her thoughts.

"Unfinished business," she repeated slowly, leaning back in her chair. "What makes you think I want to continue any business with you?"

Vincent laughed softly, shaking his head. "Oh, Olivia, don't play coy. We both know you're more cunning than that. Your family has turned against you, hasn't it? Your brother, your father—they all think you're some sort of monster, don't they?"

Olivia's heart skipped a beat, but she kept her expression neutral. "They think what they want to think. But that doesn't mean I need you to come in and rescue me."

Vincent's smile deepened. "I'm not here to rescue you, Olivia. I'm here because I believe we can help each other. You know better than anyone that power is what matters in this world. And I think you and I could be a very powerful combination."

Olivia sipped her tea, using the moment to steady herself. He was playing his cards, but he was also revealing something more—his ambition. His desire for power. He had returned because he saw an opportunity. And it wasn't just the estate he wanted; it was control over her, or perhaps through her.

"I see," Olivia said after a pause. "And what exactly is it that you're offering?"

Vincent's gaze locked with hers, his smile fading into something more serious. "Loyalty. True loyalty, Olivia. You're in a precarious position right now, whether you realize it or not. Your family is plotting against you, and they won't stop until you're out of the picture. You need someone on your side. Someone who knows how to play the game."

Olivia's mind raced. She could hear the sincerity in his voice, but she also knew Vincent was a master manipulator. He wasn't offering his loyalty out of kindness or concern. He was offering it because he saw her as a piece in his game—a piece that, if played correctly, could give him what he wanted.

She took a deep breath, weighing her options. "And what do you get out of this... partnership?"

Vincent's smile returned, this time colder, more calculating. "What I've always wanted, Olivia. Power. Influence. And, perhaps, a place by your side. Together, we could control not just this estate, but the future of the entire family."

Olivia's heart pounded in her chest. She had to be careful. Vincent's offer was dangerous, but turning him away could be even more so. For now, she needed to play along, at least until she understood his full plan.

She smiled, raising her cup to her lips again. "We'll see, Vincent. We'll see."

The fire crackled softly in the background, as the game between them began in earnest.