The General's Replacement Doctor Wife

Chapter Twenty-two

The dinner went off without a hitch. After clearing the last course of the meal, the precious wine everyone had been waiting for was poured.

Leanne gracefully rose from her seat, her glass raised to propose a toast. Everyone turned, and the chatter faded into a respectful silence.

“Thank you all for being here and making this celebration a success,” she announced, her lips stretched into a bright smile that made the chandelier appear dull in comparison. “To Sarah, I want to congratulate you on finishing art school. I’m proud of you, my daughter. Welcome home!”

Everyone raised their glass and cheered for Sarah.

Olivia lowered her glass before discreetly taking a sip from her orange juice. Her eyes were drawn to Leanne, who walked over to Sarah.

There was something beautiful in the way Leanne instinctively held Sarah close, as if she were the most precious thing. 

Olivia could tell that while Leanne may have been a strict parent, there was never any doubt in her heart about her love for her daughter.

She admired mothers who showed love so openly. It was a kind of love that seemed unreachable for Olivia. Mrs. Hilton would die before she could ever express something like that to her.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a subtle pat on her shoulder. She turned to her husband, seated next to her with a glass of wine in his hand.

“Should I get you some wine?” Clayton offered, tilting his head and staring at her orange juice with furrowed brows.

Olivia swallowed nervously, taken aback that he had noticed she was the only one abstaining from the wine. She fought to keep her voice steady as she replied, “I’m perfectly fine with this.”

Clayton's expression suggested he was about to interrogate her, but just then, a male acquaintance arrived, eager to discuss business with him. He shot her an apologetic glance, but she merely flicked her fingers dismissively, signaling for him to go.

Only when he was out of sight did she release the breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

She got up and walked toward the buffet table to get herself a glass of water. Just as she was returning to her table, a figure whizzed by her side, causing her to spill a few drops of water on her dress.

She snapped her head to see the remorseless culprit who had bumped into her.

Marian Oliver, the daughter of one of Mrs. Hilton’s closest friends, stood in front of her. She was the last person Olivia wanted to cross paths with tonight, or any night for that matter.

“I’m so sorry, Olivia!” Marian exclaimed. “I didn’t see you there.”

Now, Olivia understood why Marian had bombed her audition for a TV show. If she couldn’t even pull off a believable fake apology, how was she supposed to convince anyone she could act?

"It’s fine," Olivia muttered, wiping her dress with her hand. She felt fortunate that water, and not wine, had been spilled on her dress. At least the dampness was less noticeable.

She wanted to escape and find a place where she could be alone, but as soon as she saw two of Marian's friends approaching, the hope slipped away like quicksilver.

Olivia didn’t even need to remember their names; she simply tagged them Spoiled Brat and Daddy’s Little Princess.

One was the type who had never lifted a finger to earn a dime and believed she was superior to everyone. The other was convinced she could get away with anything just because of who her father was.