Chapter 197: Chapter 197

As the first tear fell on the piano keys, the bedroom door was pushed open. Flora quickly lowered her head, using the back of her hand to wipe away the tears. She could guess that the person entering was Oliver, and she couldn't let him see her crying, worrying him.

However, the more she tried to hold back her tears, the more uncontrollable they became. Tears flowed continuously from her eyes, dropping like broken beads onto the piano keys and the carpet.

"Flora, what's wrong with you?" Oliver quickly walked to her, lifted her tear-streaked face, and asked. Then, he used his fingertips to wipe away the tears that could never be completely erased. Why she was crying, he knew without asking. He just hoped she would confide in him, speak out about her unhappiness, and maybe alleviate a bit of the pain.

"Second Young Master, I know I shouldn't think about him, but I can't help it," Flora stared at Oliver with teary eyes, sobbing softly. Should she blame herself for being so weak? She felt truly pathetic!

Oliver's arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her up from the chair and embracing her. His forehead rested against hers as he whispered soothingly, "I know, Maxwell is a jerk. It's him who made you cry. Flora, please don't cry, okay?"

Flora continued to cry, letting him hold her. At this moment, she needed a warm embrace more than ever. How could he expect her not to cry?

Ultimately, Oliver couldn't control his actions. His palm lifted her chin, and he gently kissed away the tears on her face. The sensual lips moved lower, covering hers. A gentle kiss turned into a deep one, greedily savoring the long-missed taste that belonged to her.

Flora finally stopped crying, and she even forgot to shed more tears. Her body stiffened suddenly in his embrace. With wide eyes, she stared in astonishment at the familiar handsome face in front of her. Oliver had kissed her—how could he?

Flora raised her fists against his chest. As she prepared to struggle, the familiar taste between their lips made her hesitate. Why did Oliver's kiss feel so familiar? Why could she sense Maxwell's presence in his kiss and embrace? This was clearly the kiss she had longed for!

She almost wanted to believe that the person in front of her wasn't Oliver but Maxwell. However, Maxwell probably would never appear in front of her again, especially after she had caused the death of his child!

Although she didn't dare to believe that the person in front of her was her beloved, she still pushed him away with a glimmer of hope. Stepping out of his embrace, she looked at him with teary eyes.

Oliver hesitated, starting to regret his impulsive actions. How could he kiss her like that? He shouldn't and couldn't dare to let her know his true identity now!

Examining her tearful eyes, Flora felt increasingly convinced that he was Maxwell. She considered it self-deception and decided to let herself go mad for once. She sobbed softly, then suddenly threw herself into his arms, wrapping her slender arms around his neck and hugging him tightly.

Through misty eyes, she sought his lips and initiated a kiss for the first time in her life. Excitement trembled through her body, causing both her lips and tears to quiver. Tears slid down her cheeks, falling into their intertwined lips, leaving a bitter taste.

Oliver froze for several seconds, then hugged her tightly, turning from passive to active as he kissed her trembling lips again. There were no words, and he didn't know what to say at this moment. What would be the consequences of his impulsiveness?

As the primal desire within him surged, he had to suppress it. If Flora hadn't been over seven months pregnant, he might not have been able to control himself and would have taken her right there. Luckily, he remained rational.

After a long time, their lips finally parted slightly. Oliver held her, gently stroking her hair as he whispered in her ear, "Flora, tell me, who am I?"

"Maxwell, you're Maxwell," Flora murmured softly. She felt it, she hoped it, but was he really her Maxwell? Leaning against his chest, she felt dizzy, her consciousness slowly slipping away.

"No, I'm not... Flora, I'm Oliver." In her ear, he whispered.

At the last moment before losing consciousness, Flora surprisingly heard these disappointing words. Had her hope been shattered like this?

"Flora, forgive me. I didn't mean to deceive you." Oliver kissed her on the lips, then carefully lifted her and placed her on the bed in the bedroom, covering her with the blanket.

Oliver didn't leave, sitting by the bed quietly watching the sleeping Flora. He gazed at her for a long time, accompanying her until the sunset.

The last rays of the setting sun outside the window streamed through the curtains into the bedroom, casting a golden glow on the black piano, making it dazzling. On the large bed, Flora was still asleep, and Oliver had hardly left her side.

Oliver gazed at the sleeping figure, considering waking her up for dinner but hesitating to disturb her peaceful slumber. These days she hadn't been eating well and had trouble sleeping; maybe it was time for her to get a good rest.

Reaching out, he gently grasped her hand, holding it in his palm and softly caressing it before bringing it to his lips for a kiss. Unexpectedly, Flora woke up after that kiss, and her long eyelashes fluttered.

Startled, Oliver quickly released her hand, momentarily unsure of where to hide. The next second, he realized there was no escaping, as Flora had opened her eyes and was staring at him intently.

Feeling a bit uneasy, he rubbed his nose and smiled at Flora. "Flora, are you awake? If so, let's go downstairs for dinner. You must be starving, right?"

Upon seeing Oliver for the first time, Flora's face began to blush in embarrassment. Before falling asleep, she had mistaken him for Maxwell and even initiated a kiss. How could she do such a thing?

Had she gone mad from missing Maxwell? How could she casually mistake Oliver for him?

"I'm sorry," Flora sat up, burying her face in her knees, murmuring with a sense of heartache.

Oliver was on the verge of wanting to hug her again. After his outstretched hand hesitated in the air, he pressed it gently on her back, patting and asking, "Flora, what's wrong? Why are you apologizing?"

Flora took a deep breath, hands in her hair. "I feel so ashamed and rude, always causing trouble for others and mistaking you for him. I'm really foolish. Knowing he couldn't possibly appear in front of me, I still daydream with my eyes wide open."

"Alright, don't think too much. Let's go downstairs for dinner," Oliver took her hand and led her out of bed, deliberately avoiding the topic he wanted to escape.

Flora had no appetite, but to avoid worrying Oliver, she reluctantly followed him downstairs to the dining room.

Walking beside him, Flora deliberately moved to the side, her face still flushed. She felt she couldn't go on like this, alone with Oliver in this mansion.

After sitting down at the dining table, Flora looked at Oliver and cautiously asked, "Second Young Master, I want to move to my friend's place. Is that okay? It's very safe and quiet there."

Safe? She dared not think about it. The only place she could go to was Chloe's, but unfortunately, Philip had found that place last time. If she went there again, would it be dangerous?

Upon hearing that she wanted to leave, Oliver felt a sense of urgency and asked, "What's wrong? Is it too dull to stay here?"

"No, I just want to leave," Flora said somewhat incoherently.

Seeing her uncomfortable expression, Oliver understood what was happening. It must be troublesome for her with his identity causing issues.

He took a deep breath and earnestly said to Flora, "Flora, we are friends, and this place is relatively safe. You should stay here for a while longer, alright?"

Feeling helpless, Flora didn't know how to decline further, so she reluctantly nodded in agreement.

Feeling a bit confused about her next move, not knowing where she would go next, she wondered if she had to hide here forever. Even if Oliver was willing, she felt too embarrassed.

With these complicated thoughts, Flora mechanically chewed on her dinner without tasting it. After finishing the meal, she took a hot bath and, having just slept in the afternoon, didn't know what to do next.

At that moment, a maid entered and respectfully said, "Miss Flora, Master Oliver is calling you to come to the front door after changing. He's waiting for you."

Flora was puzzled and asked instinctively, "What's happening?"

Why did Oliver call her to the front door at this time? Although she was curious, she went along with it and changed into another set of clothes. With the maid's guidance, she walked downstairs.

At the entrance of the main house, Oliver stood by his own Ferrari, and as Flora approached, he smiled at her, saying, "Flora, there's a grand piano concert at the W City Grand Theatre tonight. Let's go."

"We're going to the theater now?" Flora was surprised. She had seen advertisements in newspapers and on TV, and she knew there was a piano concert tonight, featuring some of her favorite pianists.

In the past, she would have done everything to attend, but today she had no interest. Her heart was already scarred, so where did she find the inclination to appreciate those refined things?

What surprised her even more was that Oliver, who had always prevented her from going out, had decided to take her out tonight. Suddenly, she remembered their conversation at the dinner table. He must have thought she was feeling bored, so he decided to take her out to the concert!

Unintentionally, a trace of warmth surged in her heart. Despite her resolution to keep her distance and not let his actions affect her emotions, she was still moved by every small gesture he made. She really shouldn't have!

"What's wrong? Don't you want to go? I've already booked the tickets," Oliver raised the admission tickets in his hand, shaking them in front of her with a smile. He knew Flora liked the piano, and he believed she must want to go.

Flora looked at the admission tickets in his hand, but she couldn't bring herself to refuse. In the end, Oliver carefully and forcefully stuffed her into the car, and the car slowly drove out of the mansion.

It was the first time Flora had a clear view of where she lived. Surprisingly, it was in the same affluent area as the White Family, where she had lived for 20 years. Flora was stunned, looking at the familiar scenery outside the car window and the familiar streets.

She had no emotional attachment to the White Family, except for Henry, of course. Realizing that she hadn't missed Henry for a long time, she wondered how he was doing now. It had been almost a year since she last saw him. At that moment, she suddenly missed him a bit.

Seeing her melancholy face in the rearview mirror, Oliver sensed her thoughts and accelerated, driving the car faster. This was the reason he had been reluctant to take her out; he was afraid she would be sentimental at familiar places.

After leaving the affluent area, Flora shook her head, straightened her body, and decided not to think about Henry anymore. It didn't matter even if she missed him; she had no face to see him again in this lifetime.

When they arrived at the Grand Theater, the concert had already started, making the underground parking lot seem quiet. Oliver locked the car and habitually took Flora's hand, heading towards the elevator.

Flora quietly withdrew her hand, and Oliver didn't say anything, continuing to walk ahead.

Just as the two were about to reach the elevator, the door of a car next to them suddenly opened, and a familiar figure emerged. Flora was startled; it was Kevin.

Did he also like attending piano concerts? Flora scrutinized him with suspicion. At this moment, Kevin's face was filled with a strong coldness, gazing at her and Oliver with his eagle-like eyes.

Just as Flora was about to greet Kevin, she suddenly noticed that Oliver's face turned pale, even showing clear signs of horror. What was wrong with him? Could it be that Oliver was meeting Kevin for the first time? Was he frightened by the face that looked exactly like his own?

"Flora, let's go. Let's not watch anymore," Oliver pulled Flora over, feeling impatient. As if Kevin were a plague, he swiftly carried her towards the direction of the car. To him, at this moment, Kevin was scarier than a plague!

"Second Young Master, what's wrong? Put me down; I can walk myself," Flora asked in surprise, her gaze passing through Oliver's shoulder, seeing Kevin coldly watching Oliver with a smirk.

What on earth is going on? Even if he sees someone who looks like himself, it shouldn't be that frightening, right?

"Let's talk about it later, Flora. I'm sorry; I'll accompany you to see other performances another day," Oliver opened the car door, intending to put Flora inside when a suddenly thrust hand slammed the door shut.

Startled, Oliver angrily shouted at Kevin, "Kevin! Get lost!"

He was agitated, never having been so anxious before. He knew why Kevin had come, but he was afraid. Flora, he couldn't let Flora come into contact with Kevin. He couldn't let Flora hear anything Kevin said!

Kevin assessed the present Oliver with a faint smile. "Mr. Maxwell, if you want me to leave, should I leave? I'm here to find Flora, and you should be the one to leave."

He had been hoping for Flora's appearance for a long time, and today he finally got the chance. The Flora in front of him was no longer the same as before; she had become thin and haggard, with a pale complexion and a melancholic air between her brows.

He dared not imagine what Maxwell had done to her. He wanted to help her, help her leave this fickle rich man's world!

Flora struggled to slide down from Oliver, and although Oliver had fulfilled her wish, he still domineeringly protected her in his arms. As if with one reach, Kevin would take Flora away.

Feeling awkward, Flora moved her body slightly and, to conceal her discomfort, smiled and explained to Kevin, "Mr. Kevin, you've got the wrong person. He is not Maxwell but Oliver."

Unexpectedly, Kevin had also mistaken the identity. Mistakes were always made, and she often confused herself too!

"Miss Flora, are you sure?" Kevin raised an eyebrow at Flora, tauntingly addressing her.

Flora was startled, her mind suddenly a bit confused. She looked at Oliver and then at Kevin. What did Kevin mean by that question, and why did she understand it?

Angrily, Oliver shouted at Kevin, "Kevin! Shut up! Everything I do is for Flora's good. I've never thought of harming her. Please stop meddling in this!"

"Is that so?" Kevin sneered, glancing at Flora before mocking, "You don't want to harm her, but you've been doing it all along. Everything you do is for her good, but is she better now? What improvement do you see in her?"

Flora, who was already confused, became even more bewildered by the dialogue between the two. Why would Oliver say such things? Why did Kevin suddenly appear here to defend her? A sense of unease began to creep into her heart.

Oliver had never done anything to hurt her. The one who had hurt her... had always been Maxwell! Her mind suddenly buzzed, looking at Oliver—no, it should be Maxwell!

Maxwell knew that further concealment was useless. Facing Flora's astonished gaze, he was momentarily at a loss. How should he explain, and where should he start? It was chaotic—so chaotic!

Flora was only skeptical and not yet certain. Seeing that Maxwell opened his mouth but didn't say anything, she turned to Kevin, asking in confusion, "Mr. Kevin, what did you mean just now? Oliver hasn't done anything to me. He has been helping and caring for me these past few days."

"Flora—!" Kevin couldn't stand it and interrupted her, grabbing her arm and pulling her out of Maxwell's embrace. He held her shoulders, almost wanting to shake her awake.

Looking down at her earnestly, he said, "Everything you see now is fake. There is no Oliver in this world! Oliver was abandoned by the Smith Family twenty-five years ago. Wake up!"

Flora became even more confused, shaking her head in bewilderment. "I don't understand." Did Kevin speak too quickly just now? Why didn't she understand a word? She seemed to hear Kevin say there was no Oliver in this world, but...

She gazed faintly at Maxwell, who had a grim expression on his face. Wasn't he Oliver? She frequently saw Oliver at the Smith Family mansion, and they spent these days together. Could he really be?

Kevin understood her thoughts and pointed at Maxwell, saying to her, "What you're seeing now is not Oliver at all; it's Maxwell! He has been deceiving you. Every time you saw Oliver, it was him pretending!"

Flora's mind suddenly felt like it was being pierced by needles, excruciatingly painful, buzzing. Her body swayed, falling into Kevin's arms. When Maxwell reached out to catch her upon seeing her legs give way, she avoided him.

Feeling a pang of pain, he withdrew his hands, opened his mouth, and could only utter these few words, "Flora, I'm sorry."

"Why is this happening?" Flora stared at him blankly, tears beginning to swirl in her eyes and drop to the ground. Deception is always the hardest thing to accept!

"Flora, listen to me. I—" Maxwell urgently reached out to pull her, but she shrugged him off.

With all her strength, Flora shouted one word at him, "Go!"

Maxwell's heart sank. He hurriedly explained, "Flora, everything I did has a reason. Give me a little time to explain before deciding whether to get angry or not. Don't be angry!"

Her body couldn't be too agitated now; he had never told her the truth, and partly because of this. He knew she would be furious, would be too agitated to remain rational.

"Flora, let him explain," Kevin supported her and comforted her. He wanted to hear what reasons Maxwell could come up with. No matter the reason, it shouldn't involve deceiving someone he loves.