From a Wrong Turn to Mr. Right novel Chapter 81

Daniel Gill stood at the counter, his face unreadable and his hand resting on the edge. His eyes were devoid of any emotion as he asked, “Where’s Olivia Bennett?”

Helen Adams gave her usual answer. “She’s not here.”

Daniel tilted his head in Olivia’s direction, eyes fixed on the hallway. “Not here, or refusing to see me?”

His voice was so low, it was hard to tell if he was talking to her or to himself.

Helen paused, staring at him with a puzzled look. She parted her lips, as if wanting to say something, but in the end, she just let it go.

Daniel didn’t seem to care. His eyelids flickered, hiding whatever was going on behind those stormy eyes. Then he strode toward the hallway, following his gaze.

Helen snapped out of it a second too late. She darted in front of him, flustered and annoyed. “Hey! What do you think you’re doing? There’s a shoot going on in there. Please don’t go in and disturb everyone.”

Daniel shot her a look.

He towered over her by at least a head, and the way he looked down made Helen’s heart skip a beat. The pressure was almost physical.

“Move,” Daniel said, his voice as cold as a January wind off the Atlantic. “I need to talk to Olivia Bennett.”

Helen was rattled by his presence, but she straightened her shoulders and refused to budge. “Olivia’s not here.”

Daniel’s lips tightened. “I’ll know if she’s here or not the moment I look.”

He reached out, ready to push past her.

“Stop.”

The voice was crisp and cool, slicing through the air like a sharp knife.

Daniel froze, hand suspended mid-air. He looked up—and there she was, the person he’d been waiting to see.

Olivia stood there in a white button-down shirt, sleeves rolled up, her hair pinned back in a messy twist with a few strands falling loose around her face. Even without a hint of makeup, she looked striking—fresh, elegant, all business.

Helen glanced back at Daniel, worry etched across her face. “Olivia, maybe I should—”

Olivia patted her hand. “It’s fine. Go ahead. I’ll treat you all to coffee later.”

Helen nodded and reluctantly walked away, glancing over her shoulder every few steps.

Daniel’s gaze lingered on Olivia, his voice softening, almost pleading. “Olivia.”

She barely looked at him, her words sharp as a blade. “Don’t call me that.”

Without waiting for his reaction, she strode past him, her tone distant and annoyed. “I thought I’d made myself clear—I don’t want to see you. What’s this, anyway? Lavinia Bennett came by yesterday, and now you show up today. Is my studio some kind of tourist spot now? You all want to come by just to check the place out?”

By the time she finished, they were both at the door.

Olivia gestured toward the exit, her voice as icy as ever. “After you.”