HIDDEN LEGACY : THE FAME OF THE FORGOTTEN HEIR

Chapter 4 : Go away! I'm sick of you!

Elizabeth fell silent for a moment, her eyes fixed on the large vase right beside Matthew.

"Come on, Grandma. Matthew must be really waiting," Olivia coaxed again, gently shaking Elizabeth's arm, while Matthew remained silent, occasionally swallowing hard.

As Olivia hoped, her grandmother nodded and agreed to her request, so Elizabeth gently let go of Olivia's hand and walked towards Matthew, who was already trembling.

"Damn it, Olivia is so annoying," thought Matthew, swallowing hard as Elizabeth, with her slow steps, came to a halt right in front of the vase.

Everyone felt the tension, especially when the 72-year-old woman stared at the vase with an expressionless face.

Elizabeth seemed like she wanted to touch the vase, but she refrained, for some reason her fingers halted just inches away from the large vase.

She then lowered her hand. She didn't speak, leaving everyone puzzled and even more curious about the authenticity of the luxurious object.

Without saying a word, with an impassive face, Elizabeth looked at Matthew, then briefly turned her gaze towards Olivia and Ben.

Meanwhile, Matthew turned even paler, especially when he heard Dave's voice again. "Well, Grandma. It's genuine, right?” Dave appeared curious, then glanced towards Benjamin, pointing with his index finger. “I told you guys, this homeless guy was just bluffing, only to embarrass Matthew."

Elizabeth looked at him. "What do you mean?" she asked, making Olivia anxious. There was a possibility that Elizabeth's dislike for Benjamin could distort the facts, but Olivia was confident that her grandmother was objective enough.

"Hopefully Ben won't run into any more trouble," Olivia thought to herself.

Meanwhile, Benjamin remained silent, standing with confidence, unafraid of whatever response might come from his wife's grandmother.

Dave responded promptly. “He accused Matthew of giving a fake vase as a gift and adding poisonous substances to it,” Dave pointed towards Benjamin.

"I'm not accusing, it's a fact. I'm speaking based on what I know according to my knowledge," Ben retorted, earning a sharp gaze from Elizabeth directed at him.

A commotion ensued, the room suddenly filled with guests engaged in discussion. They chatted and whispered amongst themselves, much to Elizabeth's evident irritation.

The old woman raised her left hand to shoulder height, signaling her displeasure with the commotion. The entire room fell silent instantly.

"Don't any of you remember the rules of this house?" Elizabeth asked, further quieting the room.

"No one is allowed to make a commotion, unless they're willing to be kicked out," she continued, turning and leaving Matthew and his gift vase behind.

"You! Begin the event!" she ordered Edward Davis. Matthew's father nodded in response.

Now, Elizabeth had stepped forward and led the way to her seat. There was no more talk about the vase.

Meanwhile, Edward and his wife made their way towards the stage. Before doing so, he shot a sharp glance at Benjamin, who could only let out a heavy sigh.

Olivia looked restless, her gaze darting from left to right. She observed and listened to the guests around her. It turned out they were still gossiping and talking about Ben.

"It turns out he's not just poor, but he's also got a big mouth. How could he slander his own brother-in-law like that? He must be planning to get rid of Matthew and take over the wealth and power of the Campbell family.

"Poor Olivia, it's not just unfortunate that she married a poor man, but she's also naive and careless for easily believing in a manipulative homeless husband." The guests' words were heard in whispers.

Olivia's face turned red, while Matthew let out a sigh of relief. He also smiled broadly, feeling victorious in the argument.

Then, this man approached Olivia and Ben. "What now? Still want to accuse me? You're a coward who has no sense of shame!" he sneered at Benjamin.

Benjamin remained silent, while Olivia, unable to contain herself any longer, finally she walked away from Matthew and everyone in the Hall.

The guests noticed, as did Elizabeth. However, the event continued as Edward and Victoria stood before the guests to give a speech, officially starting the long-awaited birthday celebration for their mother.

***

Matthew chuckled with Dave standing beside him, and they raised their glasses for a toast. "Looks like they're embarrassed," Dave remarked to his cousin.

"That's for sure. Olivia probably won't be able to show her face after this. But who cares, it's her own fault anyway," Matthew replied with a smirk.

Their conversation continued, punctuated by occasional sips from their respective glasses.

Meanwhile, Olivia ran into her room, then slammed the door hard right in front of Ben's face, who had apparently been following her since earlier.

Benjamin stood still in front of the door, hesitantly gripping the handle. He appeared to be filled with guilt, knowing that his actions had caused his wife to bear the embarrassment.

Ben let out another heavy sigh. He slowly turned the doorknob, and as the door creaked open, his eyes met Olivia's furious gaze as she stood in front of the bed.

The pillows were now scattered around, and the man entered with slow steps, picking up the pillows from the floor as he went.

"I'm sorry," Benjamin said softly, in a whispered voice, causing Olivia, who had previously had her back to him, to turn and look at her remorseful husband.

"Why do you always cause problems for me? Why, Ben, why? Aren't you tired of humiliating me in front of the family? Now you're embarrassing me in front of everyone!" Olivia's voice rose, making her husband sigh heavily as he arranged the pillows on their bed.

Now Ben stood in front of his wife, his face slightly lowered. After a moment, he raised his gaze, locking eyes with Olivia, who now had tears in her eyes.

"Forgive me, Olivia. It wasn't my intention. I never meant to embarrass you, I didn't even - never hoped you'd be embarrassed because of me. So, I beg you, don't be angry with me, please! I promise ... I will fix everything," pleaded Ben, trying to touch his wife's hand with both of his, but it wasn't that easy. Olivia, instead, roughly swatted it away.

"Don't dare to touch me! Do you think I want you to touch me?" she scolded, her husband's disappointed expression cutting deep. Ben took a step back, his head lowered, and his eyes closed for a moment.

"Am I not valuable in your eyes? I have even tried my best," he replied softly, but instead, an infuriating response could be heard coming from the direction of the door.

"What have you been trying? Trying to humiliate my sister like this? I've said it before, Olivia, you shouldn't have to defend this man. Isn't it true that you're only with him because of the testament? After grandpa passed, you should have gone your separate ways," Matthew spoke, causing Ben to clench his fists tightly, holding back his anger.

"Why did this annoying man come here?" Olivia muttered, only audible to her and Ben.

Matthew took a step closer, his grin turning into a sly smirk. "But, why are you two arguing? Didn't you appear affectionate and supportive in front of the guests? I believe ... now my sister regrets defending a pitiful man like you, Ben."

"Why did you brazenly enter my room? Have you forgotten the etiquette that Elizabeth taught you? My room is my privacy! You should knock and not enter if no one permits you!" shouted Olivia.

Matthew's hand swung to touch his younger sister's shoulder. "Wow, I'm impressed by you, my little sister. Now you're brave enough to lecture me. Truly... the influence of this homeless man is strong on you!" Matthew taunted, his irritated gaze directed at Ben, who was still restraining himself from hitting this annoying man.

Growing angrier, Olivia brushed her brother's hand off her shoulder. “Stop meddling in everything, get out of my room now!” She pointed her finger towards the door."

Matthew grinned crookedly. "No need to kick me out, I didn't plan on staying long anyway. I just came to deliver a message, for you and your poor husband here," he paused briefly, his eyes glancing towards Ben.

"Elizabeth and our parents have been waiting for you and your homeless husband in the family's private room. Remember, don't be late! Unless you want Elizabeth to strike your name off the family registry," he continued, causing a moment of silence.

Olivia's face looked frustrated. "I don't care," she replied to Matthew, her voice sounding faint.

"Okay, I'm going! See you there, loser!" Matthew retorted to Benjamin, the man who seemed reluctant to respond to all the insults that came out of his irritating brother-in-law's mouth.

Matthew has left, while Ben and Olivia are still standing in their places.

Olivia stayed silent, her hands folded in front of her, avoiding eye contact with her husband. She then sat down on the edge of the bed for a moment.

This woman bowed her head, exhaling heavily. Meanwhile, Ben remained silent, simply sitting beside her, observing the disappointment in his wife's expression. "Forgive me, Olivia," he thought to himself.

As if him words in his heart were heard, Olivia spoke. "Go away! I'm sick of you," she said, her voice low but painful for Ben to hear.

"I said go away! I don't like you, even seeing you in my room makes me nauseous and want to vomit. You're an annoying man! Your presence is only a burden to me!

"You're a useless man and that will never change. I hope to never see your face again. If I could turn back time, I would never have agreed to my grandfather's request to marry a foolish man like you.

"Forever and ever ... I will never love you, and that fact will never change. Get away from me!" Olivia shouted at him again, but this time it was particularly painful. It made Benjamin rise from his seat, not saying a word as he walked out of the bedroom door.

"Ben has truly gone," she whispered, using both hands to wipe the tears from her cheeks. Then, she covered her face with her palms, crying in heavy sobs.

Meanwhile, Ben stood behind the door with a disappointed face and a wounded heart. "Is there no place that would accept me? Even the wife I love never liked me," he thought to himself, bowing his head and closing his eyes.

The opened door broke Ben's reverie as he stood in front of it. Olivia walked past Ben, paying him no mind at all. Without waiting for approval, he followed his wife into the private family room.

They finally met Elizabeth and other family members.

***

Olivia and Ben are now standing in front of the entire family, with Edward and his wife comfortably seated on the sofa.

Meanwhile, Matthew stands near Elizabeth's chair, which is right behind the table, especially designated for Elizabeth when she is there. (The table is located right in the corner of the room and near the window.)

All eyes looked scornfully at Ben, only Olivia bowed her head and remained expressionless.

After a long silence, Elizabeth finally spoke. “Olivia!” her call made her granddaughter fall silent. Matthew suppressed a smile.

"Do you know why I asked you to come here?" Elizabeth asked, making Olivia shake her head.