His Dangerous Love On Ice Chapter 219: Olive's Pov

"What problem?" I asked, already dreading whatever Jessica was about to say because nothing good ever started with "we have a problem."

Jessica shifted her weight from one foot to the other, her fingers still doing that nervous crossing thing, and I watched as her face went through several expressions before settling on something that looked almost apologetic.

"Well," she started slowly. "I've been informed that the project will be launched this week—the Quantum AI campaign that we've been working on. The one with all the photoshoot concepts and celebrity endorsements."

I nodded, not understanding yet why this was a problem.

We'd been working on that project for weeks now, Zane, Antonio and I, have been collaborating on ideas late obviously each person on different days, because I wasn't mentally capable of working closely with both of them at the same time, and we have been building something that they were both honestly proud of.

"Okay," I said carefully. "That's good news, right? We're ready for launch."

"Yes, but—" Jessica bit her lip. "Sophia has requested that we pair up with someone. A popular celebrity girl. To perhaps bring out more inspiration for the shoot and give the board more confidence in the campaign's direction."

My stomach dropped.

Sophia.

Of course, this had something to do with Sophia.

"And let me guess," I said flatly. "The board accepted her suggestion?"

Jessica nodded, looking genuinely uncomfortable now.

"She submitted her strategy and—well—they aren't just going to use your original concept anymore. They want you and Sophia to work together. Collaborate. The board approved her idea, and now you'll both be working with this celebrity she's bringing in."

I felt something cold settle in my chest, spreading outward until my hands went numb.

The woman who hated me. Who'd made it clear from day one that I didn't belong at the Mercer Company. Who looked at me like I was some kind of disease infecting her perfect world.

"You're joking," I said, even though I knew she wasn't.

"I wish I were," Jessica said quietly. "The meeting is scheduled for later today. Nina wants everyone there—you, Sophia, the celebrity Sophia chose, and the full creative team. It's mandatory."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to process this.

All those late nights working on concepts with two Mercer annoying brothers, where one was repelling and the other...Well Zane. And all those ideas we'd built together. All that effort.

And now Sophia was swooping in to take credit, to insert herself into the project, to make my life a living hell.

I wasn't surprised either at the latest developments, her father was the fucking VP.

"Who's the celebrity?" I asked, opening my eyes. "Did they tell you who Sophia chose?"

Jessica shook her head.

"No idea. It's all very secretive. Nina just said it's someone high-profile. Someone with major influence. Sophia apparently pulled some serious strings to get this person on board."

Of course she did.

Because Sophia always got what she wanted. Always found a way to win.

I pressed my fingers against my temples, feeling a headache starting to form.

"When's the meeting?"

"Three o'clock," Jessica said. "In the main conference room. Nina specifically requested that you be there, that this project moving forward depends on everyone being present and professional."

Professional.

Right.

Because I was supposed to sit in a room with her and pretend everything was fine. Pretend this wasn't some calculated move to undermine everything I'd worked for.

"Okay," I said finally, my voice coming out more defeated than I intended. "Okay. I'll be there."

Jessica gave me a sympathetic look.

"For what it's worth, I think your original concepts were brilliant. Everyone on the team thinks so. This—this is just politics. Corporate bullshit that has nothing to do with your actual talent."

I managed a weak smile.

"Thanks, Jessica. That actually helps."

She nodded and turned to leave, then paused at the door.

"Olive?"

"Yeah?"

"Be careful," she said quietly. "I don't know what Sophia's planning, but—just be careful. Okay?"

And then she was gone, leaving me alone in my office with dread coiling in my stomach and the overwhelming urge to scream.

I sat there for a long moment, staring at nothing, trying to figure out how this had become my life.

My phone rang, shattering the silence.

I grabbed it without looking at the caller ID.

"Hello?"

"Olive." Walter's voice came through the line, sounding strained and urgent. "I need you to do something for me. Please don't end the call!"

I frowned, sitting up straighter.

"Walter? What's wrong?"

"Your mother is here," he said, and I could hear the tension in every word. "At my house. She showed up about twenty minutes ago, and—look, Annie is coming home soon with the twins. I need you to come pick her up. Please."

My mother.

At Walter's house.

Where his wife Annie lived. Where his perfect family existed.

"What?" I said, my brain struggling to catch up. "Why is she there? What happened?"

"I don't know," Walter said, and he sounded genuinely worried. "She just showed up. Said she needed to talk. But she's—Olive, she's not doing well. And I can't—Annie can't see her like this. Not before—"

He stopped himself, but I already knew what he was going to say.

Not before Anne arrives with the kids from her trip.

Because god forbid Walter's new wife had to witness the broken version of his ex-wife showing up unannounced at their door.

Anger flared hot and immediate in my chest.

"So you want me to clean up your mess," I said coldly. "Again."

"Olive, please—"

"Ok" I interrupted. "I'll come get her."

"Thank you," he said, relief flooding his voice. "I know this is—"

"Save it," I said, and hung up before he could finish.

I sat there for a second, my phone still in my hand, feeling like my entire world was actively trying to suffocate me.

Work disaster with Sophia and some mystery celebrity.

My mother is having some kind of breakdown at Walter's house.

Diane was probably falling apart because her husband had cheated with my best friend and now she was pregnant and alone and I couldn't fix any of it.

And I was supposed to what? Handle all of this? Be the stable one? Keep everyone else together while I was barely holding myself up?

I stood up, grabbed my keys, and headed for the door.

The meeting with Sophia and her mystery celebrity could wait a few hours.

My mother couldn't.

And honestly? Dealing with Diane's breakdown seemed infinitely more manageable than sitting in a room with Sophia and whatever scheme she was cooking up.

At least with my mother, I knew what I was walking into.

With Sophia?

I had no idea what was coming.

But something told me it was going to be bad.

Really, really bad.