Born Into Villain's Family: I Have a 200\% Rebate System-Chapter 542: Siya

For Olivia, he ordered a delicate photo bouquet, filled with captured memories.

For Aurora, he selected a rose bouquet, vibrant and bold.

For Mary, he chose a silk rose bouquet, elegant and everlasting.

As he confirmed the orders, he felt strangely at peace.

As for Adriana, she was given a chocolate bouquet.

Theodore had chosen everything carefully, matching each gift to their preferences as if arranging pieces of a puzzle that only he understood.

For Olivia, he had not chosen chocolate, nor real flowers, nor even silk ones. She never cared for such things. She loved memories, moments frozen in time, small fragments of happiness that could be held close.

That was why he gave her a Polaroid bouquet, each picture clipped together like petals made of nostalgia.

Mary loved roses, yet she disliked watching them wither away beside her.

She preferred something lasting, something that would not abandon her after a few days. So he chose a silk rose bouquet, soft to the touch and eternally in bloom.

Adriana adored chocolate, so hers was filled with carefully arranged confections.

Aurora loved roses, vibrant and alive, so she received a fresh rose bouquet, their fragrance strong and comforting.

When Theodore saw the smiles bloom across their faces, something warm unfurled inside his chest. He smiled too, the tension he had carried for so long easing without him realizing it.

’These are the women who matter most in my life.’

’Only after them,’ he thought, would he consider love.

He trusted them completely. They would never mistreat the person he chose to spend his life with.

He knew this because of the way they treated Jules, welcoming her as if she were already family, never once drawing boundaries or showing hesitation.

That alone was enough reassurance for him.

’They have already done so much for me. It is only right that I place them first too.’

With that thought, he took them out for a day together.

The four of them wandered through the shopping district.

Theodore insisted on paying for everything, waving away their protests with casual confidence.

After all, his career had exploded.

Since becoming a sensation, offers had poured in endlessly.

Endorsements, film contracts, collaborations, and appearances stacked up faster than he could review them.

Some paid modestly, others paid staggering amounts.

One big-budget film alone promised him a salary of ten million dollars per week, with advance payments already transferred and shooting scheduled to continue throughout the year.

The total earnings would be enormous.

Spending money on them felt insignificant compared to that.

"Do not hold back," he told them lightly. "Buy whatever you like today."

Even Aurora, who possessed wealth far beyond his own, found herself swept up in the thrill of shopping.

Perhaps it was because Theodore was the one insisting on spending. The simple act carried a different meaning, making the experience unexpectedly enjoyable.

They moved from store to store, hands brushing fabrics, examining jewelry, laughing over small disagreements, completely immersed in the moment.

Just as they were enjoying themselves, a voice suddenly called out.

"Olivia!"

Olivia stiffened but did not turn around. She had no intention of responding.

The voice came again, louder this time, persistent enough to draw attention from nearby shoppers.

"Olivia, wait!"

She exhaled slowly, irritation crawling up her spine. ’If I ignore it any longer, it will only become more troublesome.’

When she finally turned, her expression froze.

Standing there was Siya.

Her once best friend.

The air between them felt colder than the mall’s conditioned breeze.

Olivia’s stomach tightened as memories resurfaced, sharp and unwelcome.

Their friendship had shattered the day Siya chose silence, refusing to defend her, refusing to stand beside her.

Now, seeing her again, Olivia felt nothing but a distant chill.

She turned, intending to leave without a word, but Siya hurried forward and blocked her path.

Olivia sighed inwardly.

’Trouble always finds me even when I avoid it. First Louis’s mother, then Louis, then Mateo, and now her. Does life ever plan to let me rest?’

Siya stood there, visibly flustered.

Back then, when Olivia had been humiliated and beaten while others watched, Siya had stayed silent.

She had been afraid of Rose and her group, too afraid to step in.

Guilt had gnawed at her for a while, but as time passed, she convinced herself that things would return to normal if she simply acted as though nothing had happened.

Instead, Olivia began ignoring her.

That cold indifference was something Siya could not tolerate, and eventually she responded with distance of her own.

Three years ago, Olivia had been far poorer than Siya. Siya used to think beauty meant nothing without money. In her eyes, Olivia had been nothing more than a pretty but powerless girl who would never surpass her.

Siya’s family was wealthy, though not extraordinarily so. They were not middle class either, and she took pride in believing she stood above Olivia.

But now...

Watching Olivia shop in this luxury mall, memories and doubts collided in her mind. She had also heard about Theodore’s meteoric rise, how Olivia’s brother had become the nation’s sweetheart.

And when she saw Theodore standing nearby, tall and composed, she felt her heart pound unexpectedly.

In high school, she had dismissed him as an aimless delinquent.

Now he looked entirely different.

The same face, yet sharper, more confident, undeniably handsome.

’If I could get his contact information... perhaps even date him...’

She had tried to find him before, only to discover he had changed his number. Meeting him had proven impossible.

Seeing Olivia here, she assumed Theodore must have brought her. Otherwise, how could Olivia afford such an expensive place?

So Siya forced herself to act polite.

The moment Olivia faced her, Siya spoke carefully, "I just wanted to talk."

Olivia’s expression remained calm, almost indifferent. "I am not in the mood to talk. It would be better if you leave."

Siya attempted to step closer, reaching for Olivia’s hand as if to stop her.

Olivia smoothly pulled her hand back, her gaze steady and distant, offering neither warmth nor hostility.

Just absence.

Seeing Olivia withdraw her hand so calmly, Siya frowned, the crease between her brows deepening as if she had been personally wounded.

"I am sorry," Siya spoke, her voice trembling in what sounded like sincerity.

"I was wrong. I did not think about your feelings back then. I remained silent when I should have stood beside you. I did not support you when you needed me the most."

Her lashes lowered, casting faint shadows across her cheeks. "It was my mistake. A terrible one."

Olivia finally looked at her fully, her gaze cool and steady. "What is your motive?"

Siya froze, as if slapped.

Olivia tilted her head slightly. "You are not the type to apologize without a reason. So tell me, what do you want?"

Siya’s eyes widened, moisture quickly gathering at the corners. "How can you accuse me like that? How can you even think of me in such a way?"

Tears rolled down her cheeks, catching the light.

Olivia chuckled softly, though there was no warmth in it.

"From what I remember, you stopped even looking at me when you realized I was still poor and being beaten up by everyone." Her voice did not rise, yet every word struck precisely.

"When I received compensation money, it was you who spread the rumor that I was nothing more than a punching bag. You told people that as long as they had money, they could hit me and get away with it."

The faint hum of escalators nearby filled the brief silence.

Siya’s face turned deathly pale.

She had never imagined Olivia would know the origin of that rumor. She had spoken those words carelessly, believing they would remain hidden.

Taking a shaky breath, Siya forced herself to meet Olivia’s eyes. "It was childishness. I was immature. I truly apologize for that."

Olivia’s lips curved faintly. "Is your apology worth anything from my perspective?"

Her tone was almost conversational.

"It is not," she answered herself before Siya could speak. "If you are sincere, then leave."

Siya clenched her fists at her sides. Her nails dug into her palms, and she deliberately pressed harder until the sting coaxed fresh tears into her eyes.

Her shoulders began to tremble.

Olivia was momentarily taken aback by the sudden display.

Before she could step back, Siya’s voice broke into a choked whisper.

"I do not have any friends anymore. I was forced to spread that rumor, Rose started targeting me too. She threatened me. She told me that if I did not cooperate, she would make sure I could not live peacefully."

Her breathing hitched dramatically.

"I regret it every day. The reason I stayed away from you was because I felt too guilty to face you."

She lifted her head slowly.

"I only want your forgiveness. If you think I deserve punishment, I can tell you everything I have suffered. Karma exists. I am already facing it."