Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan) novel Chapter 237

My tone of speech was incredibly familiar, making it sound as if I wasn’t treating Olivia as an outsider, but rather like a member of my own family.

A smile spread across Olivia’s face and she wrapped her hand around my arm, “Aaliyah, don’t worry! I know my limits. We’re all friends here, right?”

“Yes, and it’s because we’re friends that I’m warning you!”

“Don’t worry, my lips are sealed!” She boasted, somewhat smug.

I stifled a scoff, ‘sealed lips’ was not something I had observed from her!

“When is Nettie heading back?” I asked casually, hinting at my extensive knowledge about the Bradlee family. I needed to get a read on this Nettie. There was more to her than meets the eye.

Olivia took the bait and quickly replied, “Well, she decided not to leave, she wants to stay and work here!”

“Oh… did she graduate?” I asked, feigning surprise. “Well, your easy days are over then.”

Olivia shot a wary look at me. I immediately slapped my hand over my mouth, “I shouldn’t have said that!”

She nudged my arm, “No, it’s fine. We don’t have secrets between us. As for Nettie… well, she hasn’t spent much time here. We barely know each other. Her sudden decision to return was quite a surprise, and I was not prepared for it at all!”

“How does she get along with her father?” Catherine cut to the chase.

“They get along fine, I suppose. After all, he’s spent a ton of money on her!” Olivia’s voice betrayed her true feelings.

“She’s not home, what could he possibly spend money on!” Catherine retorted.

“You think studying abroad for several years is cheap?” Olivia shot back, clearly not pleased.

“It’s normal. She is Irving’s daughter after all. If he doesn’t spoil her, then who would do so?” Catherine had a ready answer.

“Does her decision to stay here have anything to do with her mother?” I asked, bombarding her with questions from both sides, leaving her no room to think.

“Is there something he can’t let go of?” I interjected.

“No way!” Olivia sprang up as if she had been stung by a bee. Realizing she had overreacted, she quickly tried to laugh it off, “There’s nothing he can’t let go of. He’s just like that. I always feel that the one who is not loved should leave. It’s no fun for anyone to keep dragging it on.”

Annoyed by Olivia's words, Catherine rolled her eyes at her. I quickly signaled her to calm down, then turned to Olivia, “Well, everyone has their own perspective on these matters.”

“Come on, Aaliyah, am I wrong?” Olivia complained, “I usually don’t bother arguing with them, and I don’t want to trouble Irving either.”

I laughed to myself, thinking that she had a high opinion of herself. Irving was not someone she could trouble. I suspected that the only reason he married her in the first place was because she gave him a son!

“Why would troubling him do any good? If there’s no love left, they should just split. Irving has done more than enough. Janetta can barely keep herself alive, and it’s Irving who’s paying for her medical bills. I have no complaints about that. He’s spent a fortune over the years!”

“He could just stop paying!” Catherine couldn’t hold back, “What’s he thinking?”