Claimed by the CEO I Forgot

By the rooftop pool of the Crown Hotel, Olivia Harper gingerly touched her still-bleeding forehead as consciousness gradually returned to her.

"Alive, are you?" James Kent's gaze was icy, as if it could pierce through her.

Olivia slowly raised her head, seeing nothing but disgust on James Kent's face.

"Isabella is kind-hearted enough not to hold a grudge against her own sister, but this matter cannot be swept under the rug," James said coldly.

"Bow down and apologize to Isabella right now. Aren't you fond of attention? Then do it in front of everyone. Her hand injury has cost her the competition, and you must compensate her. That downtown property your mother left you should suffice as restitution."

He lifted his chin contemptuously, "Refusing? Then don't blame me for reconsidering your position as my future wife."

What?

Having just regained consciousness with her memory a complete blank, Olivia hadn't yet grasped the situation. As she processed James's words, she pressed her dry lips together and touched her throbbing forehead.

Isabella Harper, who stood behind James, spoke in a gentle voice, defending her. "James, it's alright. Perhaps my sister didn't push me into the water intentionally."

She raised her swollen right hand and smiled innocently. "My hand isn't badly hurt. The doctor said it's just a minor fracture that won't affect my painting in the future."

But the more she tried to absolve Olivia, the more protective James became. He put his arm around Isabella's shoulders, chiding her with concern. "Why are you so naive? She clearly doesn't treat you like a sister!"

Their affectionate exchange felt like a blunt knife, inexplicably torturing Olivia's heart.

She curled her fingers, and facing James's accusations, her body instinctively wanted to bow her head in apology.

Frowning slightly, Olivia controlled this reflexive behavior, not revealing any unusual reaction.

She pondered silently about who these people might be. Her sister? Boyfriend? Why would they demand she kneel? Why did her heart ache so much?

Olivia didn't hide her confusion, frowning as she stared directly at them, hoping to find some clues in her chaotic mind.

But this unabashed stare took on a different meaning to James.

"Can't hear me?" The tender expression on James's face instantly vanished, returning to its cold state. "Playing dumb to get away with it again?"

Olivia ignored James's brewing anger, slightly lowering her head, trying hard to conceal the inexplicable sourness rising within her.

"You selfish, spoiled daughter!"

An angry shout came from the entrance.

"How dare you push Isabella into the pool in public? You've completely disgraced the Harper name!"

"I..." Though Olivia didn't recognize the middle-aged couple who had suddenly appeared.

Her heart still skipped a beat, instinctively denying weakly, as if this was something she often did.

"You disgraceful daughter! Apologize to Isabella." Jonathan Harper stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze cold, his tone an undeniable command.

"And starting today, your credit cards are frozen! Don't bother coming to the company! You'll stay at home for the next two months, learning proper etiquette, instead of embarrassing us in public!"

Jonathan pursed his lips, recalling the laughter and subtle mockery from competitors moments ago, his expression growing colder.

How could he have such an uncouth daughter!

"Don't be so harsh. Although Isabella had a good chance at this competition, sisters shouldn't hold grudges. Isabella won't stay angry at her sister!" Victoria Harper seemed to soften her husband's stance.

Olivia's eyelashes trembled, her eyes involuntarily misting over. She wanted to cry, but hearing those accusations, she bit her lip, forcibly suppressing the panic and grievance threatening to burst from her throat.

Stiffening her neck, she struggled to stand up and said, "You all accuse me without any evidence. Where's your proof? I don't know any of you, and if you continue with these baseless accusations, I'll call the police!"

From the conversation so far, she had vaguely understood their identities: parents, sister, boyfriend.

But since they arrived, everyone had focused solely on getting justice for her sister, using every harsh word to scold her, demanding her property, forcing her to apologize; no one cared to ask if she was alright.

The scab on her forehead seemed to bleed afresh.

Her nails dug into her palms, the stinging pain forcing Olivia to suppress the sourness in her heart again, leaving only coldness on her face.

Seeing Olivia daring to talk back, Jonathan grew furious, raising his hand to strike her.

"How dare you! Everyone witnessed what happened. Even now you deny it? How could I possibly have a child as shameless as you!"

Victoria pretended to intervene, simultaneously fanning the flames, urging Olivia to stop making trouble and quickly admit her fault.

"Olivia, just apologize. Your father has a quick temper, and James is a kind-hearted boy. If you apologize and give that property to Isabella, I'm sure James will still marry you. You've liked James for so long, you wouldn't want all your efforts to be in vain, would you?"

Hearing these self-righteous words, Olivia couldn't help but laugh.

She finally understood—the real purpose behind this staged drowning incident was the downtown property her mother had left her.

She turned to Isabella, who still cowered in James's embrace like a frightened deer, and said bluntly, "Sister? Fiancé? All I see is a pair of shameless adulterers!"

Then she turned to Jonathan and Victoria. "And you two are nothing but biased accomplices!"

"Truly disgusting." She smirked, disregarding their reactions, and walked away quickly, leaving their outraged insults behind.

She wanted nothing to do with such a family!

Her head hurt terribly.

By the time she reached the elevator, Olivia finally relaxed her tense body. The tears she had been restraining so tightly flooded out. She sniffled, taking uneven steps as she exited.

Her head ached, her heart ached—she felt uncomfortable inside and out.

She shook her foggy head, urging herself to leave this place of trouble.

She walked unsteadily, not noticing the sudden elevation in the steps ahead, and missed her footing!

Instinctively, she fell toward a dark silhouette in front of her.

The expected collision didn't come. Two hands steadied her swaying body.

A familiar scent of pine wood entered her nostrils, inexplicably comforting Olivia. She looked up into yet another unfamiliar face.

Yet vaguely, she seemed to glimpse intense concern and pain in his eyes.

"Thank..." She was about to express gratitude when her vision suddenly darkened, her consciousness dragged into endless darkness.