The next morning, Olivia left the hospital before her daughter woke, after having a conversation with the doctor about Laurel's medical needs.
She had scheduled a private meeting with a top-notch lawyer. Olivia had known Attorney Salvador for several years. The woman was one of Sebastian's most trusted legal advisers, so naturally, Olivia had become quite familiar with her as well.
"You're early." Attorney Salvador remarked as Olivia walked into her office.
"I'm in a hurry to get back to my daughter." Olivia replied, taking a seat in the large well-furnished office.
"Let's go straight to the point then." The brilliant brunette lawyer said, straightening her posture. "I've seen the viral videos and reports of what transpired between you, Mr Gilbert and Mr Wrightwood at the Colbert's event, just like everyone else."
Olivia rubbed her forehead with her fingers. Her mind was so occupied by the news of her daughter's cancer, she had almost forgotten about the huge scandal which was doubtlessly making headlines across the country.
"It's not about that, attorney." Olivia too, straightened her posture. "This is about a divorce."
Attorney Salvador's eyes widened slightly, as they always did whenever she was surprised. "I can try to counsel your husband. Affairs and scandals are nothing new amongst the rich and famous. A divorce is in nobody's interest, especially yours---"
Olivia cut in. "I'm divorcing Sebastian, not the other way around." She clarified.
The brilliant attorney Salvador stared at Olivia for several seconds, confused. "You're divorcing Mr Gilbert?" She repeated. Olivia affirmed with a nod of her head. "Mrs Gilbert, you are married to a billionaire. Divorcing your husband would be a tedious, complicated process---"
"I'm not changing my mind." Olivia stated firmly. She was growing irritated by the woman's attempt to dissuade her.
Attorney Salvador did not stop. "I must advise you, legally of course, to reconsider." Her tone was laced with pity. Olivia hated it when people pitied her, it made her feel pathetic.
"I do not need advise, what I need is a divorce." Olivia snapped.
Attorney Salvador sighed. "Are you completely prepared to deal with the terms of your prenuptial agreement?"
Olivia was immediately alarmed. "What prenuptial agreement?" She asked. "I didn't sign any."
The attorney immediately started searching for files on her computer while Olivia sat, as attentive as a hound.
"Here it is." Attorney Salvador said. "You agreed that if you were to initiate a divorce in less than twenty years of marriage, you would not receive any alimony or settlements. And your partner, Mr Gilbert will only contribute 50% of child support."
Olivia's jaw dropped. "There must be a mistake." She insisted. "Those terms are ridiculous and wicked. I would never sign that."
Attorney Salvador peered at the documents closely. "On the contrary, your signature is very much present." She took off her double rimmed glasses. "I have never seen a prenuptial agreement as rigid and enslaving as this. Who advised you to sign this?"
Olivia, throwing her manners and etiquette to the wind, rushed over to the other side of the desk to get a proper look at the document on the lawyer's computer.
One look at the document and she could recall when and who made her sign it. Priscilla Gilbert!
Coincidentally, her phone rang immediately. It was none other than her crook of a mother-in-law.
"Priscilla, you maniac bitch!" Olivia cursed as she answered the line.
"I assume you've consulted a lawyer." Priscilla spoke, with unmasked satisfaction.
Olivia's anger was at its peak. "You are one sick psychopath to trick me into such an agreement and I swear on your late husband's fucking grave, I will be the end of the Gilbert empire!" She threatened.
Priscilla laughed mockingly. "Tell me more at the mansion in exactly half an hour, dear." Priscilla taunted. "Don't be late. With your daughter's imminent death, it's going to be an interesting conversation."
"Screw you!" Olivia hung up, then let out a frustrated scream. She was trapped.
It took Olivia less than half an hour to get to the Gilbert mansion. She was surprised to see several bags and boxes containing her and her daughter's property, out on the lawn. She did not let it faze her.
Walking through the open front door, she spoke. "So you're also throwing your sick daughter out of the house?"
Priscilla and her son, Sebastian, were seated in the living room, waiting for Olivia. Caroline was not far either, lurking in the kitchens. Olivia did not bother to have a seat.
"That was my brilliant idea." Priscilla said, taking a sip of her tea. "I'm getting rid of the vermin."
"You're the vermin!" Olivia shot back. "You tricked me into signing a horrible prenuptial agreement on my wedding day."
It had been a billion dollar wedding, with many documents being signed by her and Sebastian on that day and a rush to their massive reception. Priscilla had hurriedly pushed the document to Olivia, labeling it 'a partnership deed'.
"You think I would let you marry my son, who owns a billion dollar empire without a prenuptial agreement?" Priscilla laughed. "You're not very bright, dear."
"Did you know about this?" Olivia asked Sebastian. At the time, he had been very much in love with her_ or so she thought_ so she would be surprised if he was party to his mother's deceit.
"It doesn't matter." He said dismissively. "Get your things and get out."
Olivia felt bile rising in her throat. "What about Laurel?" She asked. "She's your daughter and she's very ill!"
"She's not just ill, she's dying." Sebastian stated. His eyes were sharp but devoid of emotion. "I'm paying 50% of the child support for the rest of her short life."
Olivia wanted to attack Sebastian with teeth and nails. Listening to him talk about their daughter's life in that manner broke her heart.
"You are a failure of a father, Sebastian!" Olivia spat.
She noticed Caroline creep out of the kitchen and join them in the living room. "He won't fail this one." She said, cradling her stomach. There was no bump, but it was obviously a way of announcing a pregnancy.
"Since your daughter's death is imminent, I'm happy to be expecting a new grandchild." Priscilla said, flashing one of her self-satisfied smiles.
Olivia knew that it was time to leave. She would not give them the satisfaction of seeing her tears.
"I will come to pay my last respect to Laurel when the time is right." Sebastian said.
Olivia dashed out of the house, hurt and horrified. Sebastian and Priscilla were monsters! Worse, she was stranded. With her and her daughter's belongings thrown out of the house, she had no place to go. She had no money either, except the change in her purse. Sebastian did not allow her to have savings or own a bank account while they were married. He said it was unnecessary because he paid for everything. Now here she was, no house, no money and a sick daughter to take care of.
She remembered that someone had promised to help her. Desmond. She cursed at herself for rejecting him at every turn. She pulled out her phone and dialed his number. She could only hope that he would answer.
He did. "Hello?" She spoke first.
"Blondie." He acknowledged. "How may I help you?"
"Is your offer to help still on the table?" Olivia enquired. "Because I desperately need your help."
Twenty minutes after explaining her situation to Desmond, a G wagon and a Rolls Royce arrived at the Gilbert mansion. Two men walked out of each car, none of whom was Desmond.
She immediately recognized a ginger as the man whose birthday party she and Desmond had attended.
"Olivia." He called. "I'm Robb. Desmond is occupied right now so I'm to take you to the house."
"Thank you." Olivia muttered, embarrassed, as they packed all her stuff into the cars. She wished Desmond had come to pick her up himself, instead of delegating his friend.
But Robb seemed kind enough. He helped the other three men to pack her stuff without a word of complain, then opened the door and let her into the Rolls Royce.
The drive back to Desmond's home was quiet. Once again, Olivia had a feeling of déjà vu. Robb just seemed so familiar. She did not ask him if they had met before, deciding that she would figure it out by herself.
Desmond's house was nothing like the Gilbert mansion. Sure it was big, but not as massive as the Gilbert's. It also had a very unique, modern touch to it. It screamed 'new money'.
Olivia was impressed by the interiors. The living area looked like a museum. From the portraits and many art pieces kept in the living area, Olivia could tell he was artistic. She realized that she did not know much about Desmond Wrightwood.
"Blondie!" Came an excited voice.
She whipped her head around to see him descending the stairs.