THE DISABLED HEIRESS, MY EX-HUSBAND WOULD PAY DEARLY.

At that moment, Oliver could feel the frustration boiling in his chest, his hand unconsciously tightening around the phone. He could hear the irritation in Cora's voice, the exhaustion from dealing with William's antics, and it only made him angrier with his brother.

Then he sighed deeply, controlling his breath before responding.

"Cora, please, don't let this ruin your day," Oliver said firmly, his voice low but intense. "I'm really, really sorry about what happened. William has crossed the line this time, and I take full responsibility for not putting a leash on him sooner. You have every right to be upset, and I'll make sure this stops now."

Hearing Oliver words Cora didn't respond immediately, but the sigh she let out showed her irritation hadn't fully settled.

"It's the best thing, Oliver," she finally said. "That's what I've been trying to make him understand. I told him clearly that nothing is ever going to happen between us, but he refuses to listen. It's like he lives in his own fantasy where persistence equals love."

Oliver shook his head bitterly. "It's stupidity, that's what it is. A man should have pride, not desperation. Gone are those days when you think forcing yourself on someone will make them love you. If a woman says no, you respect it, you walk away like a man."

Cora agreed with a curt tone. "Exactly. But William? He's adamant. No matter how I spell it out, he just keeps doing this nonsense. But I'll tell you this, Oliver: if he tries it again, this public embarrassment, the stupid surprises, the dramatic scenes, I won't be so civil. I'll deal with him appropriately, no hesitation."

Oliver closed his eyes for a brief moment, inhaling through his nose to steady himself.

"You have my word, Cora. I'll make sure he hears me loud and clear. I won't let this slide."

At that moment, Oliver's fists tightened where they rested on his thighs, his knuckles whitening as he gritted his teeth. His mind was a battlefield, trying to figure out who he could even confide in about this. How could he tell Cora that the very man enabling William's disgraceful behavior was none other than their own father? The thought of admitting that to Cora made his stomach twist how humiliating it would be, not just for him but for his entire family name. It was bad enough that William was acting shamelessly, but knowing his father was silently fueling the madness made Oliver feel trapped, boxed in with no respectable path forward.

He couldn't betray his family secrets, yet he couldn't betray Cora's trust either. The weight of it was suffocating.

Then, as if sensing his internal struggle, Cora's voice came through gently yet firmly, "Oliver, no problem. I'll trust your words, okay? I believe you when you say you'll handle it. Please, just make sure you pass the message thoroughly. I don't want to be embarrassed again like this, not for anyone, not for your brother or anyone else."

Then Oliver swallowed hard, his throat dry, but he nodded even though she couldn't see him. "Thank you for trusting me, Cora. I'll handle it. I'll make sure he understands, this will never happen again."

"Alright," Cora sighed, her voice softening just a bit. "I believe you."

At that moment, Cora sighed heavily over the phone, the weight in her voice evident even through the distance. "I have something to tell you , but It's complicated, Oliver," she admitted, her tone soft but troubled. "I don't even know how to begin, but this whole thing has been weighing on my mind. I didn't just call because of William's madness this morning. Something else has been pressing on me and I need to talk to someone I trust."

Hearing that, Oliver's face grew serious, his back straightening instinctively as he walked into his room properly and shut the door behind him. His voice came through the line firm and steady. "Cora, what is it? Is it something dangerous? Is it something I can help you with? Or do you just want me to listen and give you advice? Tell me."

Cora paused for a while, the hesitation evident in her silence, as though she was choosing her words carefully. Finally, she spoke, her tone gentle but uncertain. "Honestly, Oliver... I think I'll need both from you. I might need your help to solve this... and at the same time, I'll need your advice too. I'm just... I'm stuck between options right now, and I don't know which one is the smartest to take."

Oliver, hearing the vulnerability in her voice, clenched his fist slightly. "You know you can always tell me anything, right? I've got your back, Cora. Whatever it is, just say it. Let's figure it out together."

There was another brief pause before Cora responded, "I will. I'll tell you everything. But... are you sure you're ready to hear it? Because once I do, you'll be involved whether you like it or not."

Oliver didn't even hesitate.

"Cora... what is it?"

Hearing what Oliver just said, Cora paused for a while. She found herself staring at the walls of her office, eyes distant, mind crowded with uncertainty. She held the phone tightly, but for some reason, her lips just couldn't part to speak what was really on her mind. She wanted to tell Oliver she knew she should, but something held her back. Maybe it was pride. Maybe it was fear of hearing something she wasn't prepared for. Or perhaps, deep down, she just didn't want to burden him with her worries.

She kept pacing slowly, her heels softly thumping against the tiled floor. In her head, the thoughts raced: What if he thinks I'm weak? What if he just brushes it off? What if... he's not even interested in helping me solve this? or something bad happens to him I the process.

It was frustrating because she knew Oliver had always been someone she could trust, but this time, the words just wouldn't come out.

Oliver, on the other side of the call, was beginning to feel the awkward silence. He furrowed his brows and glanced at his screen to be sure the call was still connected. "Cora... are you still on the phone?" His voice was firm but calm, laced with a concern he couldn't quite hide. "What's going on? You said there was something troubling you... What do you want to talk to me about? What is it you're seeking my guidance for?"

Cora froze, standing by the window of her office, watching the cars below. She pressed her lips tightly, sighed, and finally whispered into the phone, though her voice carried a hint of resignation.

"Well, don't mind. I think I will just sort it out myself for now. Maybe I will just let it go. It is not that really important."

Upon hearing what Cora just said, Oliver wasn't convinced at all. He knew Cora too well to be fooled by her dismissive tone and half-hearted excuses. She had this way of trying to downplay serious matters when she felt too overwhelmed to share, or when she thought involving others would only complicate things or perhaps land them into trouble.

But Oliver wasn't just "others." He was her confidant, the one who had stood by her through thick and thin. And now she was trying to shut him out?

He sighed deeply, rubbing his temple as he stood by the window, staring into the morning sky. He couldn't let this go. The distance in her voice, the reluctance, it all pointed to something bigger something eating her up inside.

"Cora," he called softly but firmly, "I'm not convinced. You can't just tell me to forget it and pretend you're fine. I know you. Something's clearly bothering you, and it's not like you to just hide things from me."

He paused, waiting for her to say something, but when she remained quiet, he pushed further.

"Why are you keeping it away from me? I mean… is it something you've decided I'm not worthy to know anymore? Is that it? Because if that's among the list of things you've locked away from me, I wish you'd at least tell me why. Why the sudden change of mind?"

The line was still silent, save for the faint sound of her breathing. Oliver shook his head, feeling a mixture of frustration and disappointment. He knew Cora had been dealing with a lot lately, but shutting him out was the last thing he expected.

Then, trying to lighten the mood just a bit, to ease her tension and maybe get a reaction from her, he chuckled faintly and added, "Hope it is not that incident of last night. It is not that celebrity of yours that was up to something that night, hope he didn't come back again."

At that moment, Cora let out a short sigh and said, "No, no, no, that is not it. That fool would not even dare come to me again. That is not it."

She paused briefly, shaking her head even though Oliver couldn't see her. "Oliver, just be reassured that what I wanted to say wasn't important."

But Oliver wasn't satisfied with that answer. He could tell from her tone that she was brushing it off, like she always did when she didn't want to talk.

Then Oliver asked her again, "Then, if that was not the case, then why? what is troubling you? I know something is troubling you, Cora. Talk to me."