THE DISABLED HEIRESS, MY EX-HUSBAND WOULD PAY DEARLY.

At that moment, upon hearing what Cora just said, Oliver couldn’t help but laugh—not mockingly, but more like someone caught off guard by an unexpected question. It came out light and short, followed by a shake of the head. "Wait, what? Cora, what are you even saying right now?" He looked at her with a half-smile and furrowed brows, amused and confused all at once. "You’re asking if I feel anything for Malisa? Like, Malisa Malisa?"

Cora raised an eyebrow at him and crossed her arms, clearly not buying his reaction just yet.

Oliver chuckled again, rubbing the back of his neck. "Come on, Cora. Why would I? I barely know her. I’ve only seen her three times, and it’s not like we’ve had any deep conversations or anything. So no, I don’t feel anything for her. That’s just not true."

But Cora didn’t budge. Her gaze remained steady, a playful glint in her eye. "You sure?" she asked, leaning in a little closer, teasing him now. "Or are you just too shy to talk about it? If that’s the case, don’t worry. I’ll help you out. I’ll talk to her for you. I’ll make everything nice and smooth. You won’t even have to stress."

Oliver’s face scrunched up instantly. "What? No! Don’t make anything smooth for me," he said quickly, raising both hands in mock defense. "There’s nothing to make smooth. I don’t feel anything for her, alright? She’s your friend. She can be my friend. And that’s it. That’s the highest I’m willing to go. She’s cool, but I’m not looking at her in that way. Seriously."

Cora tilted her head, still watching him with a knowing expression that said she wasn’t fully convinced. "Hmm... I still don’t believe you," she said softly, as if talking to herself. "You’re just too calm for someone who’s always been... alone."

Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by NovᴇlFir(e).nᴇt

Oliver blinked. "Huh?"

"That reminds me," Cora added thoughtfully, narrowing her eyes. "I’ve never seen you with any other lady. Not even once. When I got married to that fool, James, you were there. You watched the whole thing. But even then... you never had anyone. You never followed anyone. You never brought a girl around. You were always just... by yourself."

She leaned back slightly, studying him more intently. "Over the years we’ve known each other, Oliver, you’ve never dated. Not even once. Or did I miss something?"

Oliver fell quiet for a moment. The playfulness faded from his face. He looked out toward the street for a second, then back at her. His voice was softer now. "You’re right," he said simply. "That’s really true."