RISE OF OLIVER WILSON

Chapter 03

“I'm fine, mom.” Oliver let out a quiet breath, knowing this conversation would be harder than he imagined. His mother, Isabel, sounded so worried, almost frantic.

“Oh my goodness, where have you been? Do you know how long it’s been since anyone heard from you? Your father hasn’t slept properly, and he keeps asking when you’re coming home.” Isabel’s voice broke slightly, filled with relief and worry.

Charles Wilson wasn’t the type of man to show weakness, but this situation had broken him. Oliver couldn’t deny it. He had hurt his father deeply.

Oliver’s heart sank, knowing how much he’d hurt his family by disappearing without a word. He never intended to cause them so much pain, but everything had gotten so complicated.

“I’m sorry, Mom,” Oliver said regretfully. “I needed some time and space to live my life. But I regret those decisions now.”

“We thought something terrible had happened to you.”

“Mom, I promise I’ll explain everything when I come home,” Oliver said, hoping she could hear the sincerity in his voice.

“You better, come home as soon as possible,” Isabel replied. “We’ve all been on edge. Even the company… Everyone at the Wilson Corp is asking about you. Everyone’s wondering where you’ve been and why you haven’t been in touch.”

Oliver’s stomach twisted. He could imagine the looks of disappointment from the board members, from the employees, from everyone who’d always counted on him. He had been the heir to everything—the Wilson conglomerate, his family’s wealth, and he had just walked away from it all.

“I… I know, Mom. I’m sorry,” Oliver muttered. He had given up everything for a reason. A reason that still seemed too complicated to explain fully.

“Mom,” Oliver interrupted, trying to steer the conversation back. “I need a favor. It’s important.”

Isabel was silent for a moment, perhaps worried about where this conversation was going. “What favor, son?”

“I need you to buy Cono Hotel and Group for me. It’s a small company, but it’ll cost a few million. Can you do it for me?” Oliver asked.

“Como Group?” Isabel repeated. “That’s an odd request, but I’ll handle it. But you’ll have to come home soon, Oliver. Your father needs to see you. We all need to talk.”

Oliver responded. “I’ll come home soon. But please buy the Como Group and register it under my name. I’ll explain everything when I get back. I promise.”

“You don’t need to worry about that, I will do that right away, son,” Isabel said gently. “But please come home. We miss you. Your father misses you.”

“Thank you, Mom,” Oliver said quietly, trying to fight the tears that threatened to rise. “I love you.”

“I love you too, son. Take care of yourself.”

As soon as Oliver hung up the phone, he turned toward the entrance of the hotel. There she was—Emma, standing with Paulo.

“Olly!” Emma called out, her voice sounding sweet yet bitter to his ears. “We need to talk.”

But before she could approach him, Oliver looked at her blankly, unimpressed.

“I don't have your time, Emma,” Oliver said coolly, tucking his phone into his pocket.

Emma shot him a quick, pleading glance, but he refused to meet her gaze. He didn’t want to talk to her. Not now. Not ever again. She had chosen Paulo over him, and that was all that mattered.

“Please, Olly, just let it go,” Emma said softly.

Oliver didn't spare her another glance, feeling nothing but cold emptiness. He had no intention of speaking to Emma again. He didn’t care what she had to say. He jumped on his bicycle and peddled back home.

Emma stared at Oliver one more time. A sigh escaped her lips. Memories flooded her mind of when Oliver had been the love of her life. She remembered the gifts, the dates, and the way he had always treated her like royalty. Back in college, he had seemed like the perfect man. His charm, his attention to detail, and the way he made her feel special—it was everything she had ever wanted.

She thought he was rich. She thought they were both from the same world, the same elite class. She had come to their university through a scholarship, but it hadn’t occurred to her that Oliver might have been a scholarship student too. He never mentioned it.

When he proposed to her, she couldn’t believe it. He was everything she ever dreamed of. She said yes without hesitation, swept away by the idea of marrying someone who seemed to be just as ambitious and driven as she was.

But the truth came out soon after their wedding. Oliver wasn’t rich. He was struggling. He worked as a cleaner for a small company while she climbed the corporate ladder at the hotel. She was now the hotel’s operations manager, a position she was proud of, but one that had only made the gap between her and Oliver grow wider. She couldn’t ignore it any longer. Oliver was just too different from the man she had imagined him to be.

Her family had tried to warn her. They told her that Oliver didn’t have the money, the ambition, or the status that she needed. It was clear that he didn’t fit in her world. She tried to make it work, but the more she worked hard for her success, the more she resented him for not keeping up.

Then, Paulo came into her life. He was everything she needed. He was successful, confident, and wealthy. He could give her the life she had always dreamed of—a life full of luxury, designer clothes, and the freedom to live without limitations.

It wasn’t long before Emma realized that she needed someone who could give her everything Oliver couldn’t. It wasn’t about love anymore—it was about security, status, and wealth. When Paulo proposed to her, her family was thrilled. They didn’t need to say much. They knew the choice was easy.

Oliver had never been her type. She needed a wealthy man like Paulo, who could give her pearls, diamonds, and extravagant vacations. Not just a bouquet of cheap flowers and homemade dinners.

Emma thought she had made the smart choice by cheating on Oliver with Paulo, but she would soon regret it.