She is a natural disaster.

Chapter 53 Love Story in Greentown

The pollution outbreak is a near-unsolvable crisis.

The large study became oppressive because of this heavy topic.

Iniz Blatt, a survivor of the pollution outbreak, still feels lingering fear and can't forget the devastating disaster that destroyed everything.

Mike Montagu remained silent, gripped by an unprecedented fear of "pollution" that even stirred dangerous thoughts within him.

Fortunately, this dangerous thought came and went quickly; Mike couldn't bring himself to kill everyone on board with a single blow.

At this moment, Bill Montague picked up the bell on the desk again, beckoned the manservant, and whispered a few instructions to him.

Before long, the well-dressed male servant returned. He placed a glass of whiskey on the rocks in front of Anastasia and then offered Iniz Blatt a glass of red wine.

This time, even Mike wasn't left out; he got a glass of brandy on the rocks.

Feeling frustrated, Mike raised his glass and took a big gulp. The alcohol and the rich fruity aroma eased his frustration considerably.

As Bill Montague swirled the wine in his glass, he slowly walked toward the giant portrait in his study. He raised his hand and gently stroked the canvas and paint, as if caressing a lover's cheek.

"Olivia is the best girl I've ever met. She's beautiful, kind, gentle, and generous. What's most attractive about her is her strength and optimism."

Bill spoke up at the opportune moment, skipping over the heavy topic of the pollution outbreak and recounting his past with Olivia.

In Bill's words, Olivia Montague, or rather Olivia Blatter, was a woman unparalleled in the world, and her beauty was the least noteworthy of her virtues.

Olivia is a kind and gentle person who cherishes the elderly and the weak, and always takes care of those around her in her own way.

Olivia is a grateful person. She takes the initiative to take care of Father Lawrence's daily life in order to repay the priest for adopting her and her brother.

Olivia is a strong and optimistic person. The tragic fate of losing her parents did not break her. She lives her life as usual, as if none of the misfortunes had ever happened.

"Back then, I was very young, and my privileged family background fostered a willful nature in me," Bill continued. "When misfortune struck, I was devastated. The sudden death of my parents and the bullying and strife from my uncles and aunts made it hard for me to breathe."

The deaths of the elderly Montagues were too sudden, and Bill was too young at the time. He was like a child carrying a gold nugget through a bustling city, and all his uncles and aunts wanted to take a bite out of him.

"Back then, I chose to escape, spending every day in church, sometimes even staying overnight," Bill continued. "I even considered joining the church, becoming a clergyman, and serving God for life."

Anastasia glanced at Bill, then at Mike; her thoughts had drifted a little off track.

Although the evangelical church does not prohibit clergy from marrying, most clergy members remain unmarried throughout their lives, especially the nuns who consider themselves the brides of God.

If Bill Montague had actually joined the church and become a clergyman, there probably wouldn't be a Mike Montague in the world. He might be on a bed sheet, on a wall, or in a wastebasket.

"During that time, Olivia was always comforting me, like she was taking care of a clueless younger brother," Bill said with a nostalgic laugh. "Even though I was the older one!"

"But you didn't listen to a word of your sister's advice, and you're still acting like you're half-dead," Iniz Blatt said, seemingly trying to sabotage the conversation.

“Yeah, who’s a good listener when they’re young?” Bill said. “Like Mike, he didn’t really listen to me either.”

“I’m not like you. I just don’t like your forced arrangements, that’s why I’m thinking of rebelling,” Mike suddenly said. “I can tell right from wrong, unlike some people.” He added.

Hearing Mike's heartfelt words, Bill shook his head helplessly, while Iniz Blatt gave Mike a thumbs up, indicating that he had done a great job.

Anastasia looked at the three grown men in front of her and was puzzled: Weren't they getting along well? How did things turn out like this?

"After yet another failed attempt to persuade her, I experienced Olivia's formidable power for the first time, and realized for the first time how terrifying a gentle person could be when she got angry," Bill continued his story.

Iniz Blatt seemed to remember something as well, and inexplicably began picking at his nails, presumably recalling the fear of being dominated by his sister Olivia.

That night, she kept hitting me, even though it didn't hurt at all, but I felt a lot of pain.

Bill gently stroked the canvas and paint again, and continued, "She told me loudly that everyone dies, countless people die every day, it doesn't matter, as long as we don't forget, those who died will always be with us."

As soon as he finished speaking, Iniz Blatt sniffed and continued fiddling with his nails, while Mike picked up his glass and tilted his head back to gulp down the little brandy left in it.

Anastasia raised an eyebrow; to be honest, she had developed a certain admiration for the prematurely deceased Lady Montague.

"That night, I fell hopelessly in love with Olivia and vowed to marry her," Bill said. "Don't laugh, but I even planned where I'd be buried after I died."

After a slightly melancholic joke, Bill Montagu continued to tell his story with Olivia.

Two young people who had both lost their parents fell in love. Nourished by love, Olivia smiled more and more, and Bill stopped running away and returned home like a man, bravely facing his greedy uncles.

As time passed, Bill, having emerged from the shadows, revitalized his family business, and the Montague family's factories and hotels flourished. Olivia, immersed in happiness, remained strong and optimistic, doing her best to care for those around her, waiting for her beloved to marry her.

Just then, the people who were trying to break up the couple appeared; Father Lawrence firmly opposed the marriage between the two young people.

"I was absolutely furious. I didn't understand why the priest was against my marriage to Olivia," Bill said. "I even suspected him of being after Olivia's youth and beauty."

Anastasia's lips pressed into a thin line once again. She often assumed the worst about Father Lawrence, wondering if the old man had some peculiar yet common hobby.

"No matter how much Olivia and I pleaded, the priest was adamant in his disapproval of our marriage," Bill continued. "That was the first time I saw Olivia cry; she desperately wanted the priest to bless her love."

After her parents tragically passed away, Father Lawrence adopted the homeless Olivia and her brother.

For Olivia, who knows how to be grateful, her wedding with Bill would not be complete without Father Lawrence's blessing.

"I kept asking the priest why he was preventing our marriage. Even if he was against it, he should at least have a decent reason," Bill continued. "The priest didn't tell me a reason; he just kept repeating his opposition."

"So you had a huge fight with the priest and never went to church again," Iniz Blatt said. "You chose to run away again, Bill. Cowardly behavior."

It was clear that Iniz Blatt was very unhappy with Bill's avoidance.

“Yes, I ran away again, fled in disarray,” Bill said. “For three whole months, I didn’t go to church once, and I didn’t see Olivia once.”

“I originally supported your marriage to your sister, but because of your escapism, I decided to stand with the priest,” Iniz Blatt said. “To this day, I still cannot forgive you for your escapism back then.”

"But—" Mike hesitated, unsure how to begin, "you two ended up together, didn't you?"

Upon hearing this, Anastasia looked at Mike, her eyes filled with pity and concern for the mentally challenged man.

Anastasia's gaze seemed to say: Child, be confident. If those two weren't together, you wouldn't be sitting here; you'd be in the wastebasket.

“It was Olivia. She was much stronger and braver than me,” Bill said. “Olivia defied the priest’s objections and insisted on choosing me, a coward, and we got married in the prime of our lives.”

"Excuse my bluntness, Mr. Montague, but your performance at the time was really unworthy of Mrs. Montague's courage," Anastasia said. She saw Olivia's efforts and sacrifices, but she didn't see what Bill had done. In fact, Bill's performance was terrible.

Of course, this could also be because the narrator is Bill Montagu himself.

In Bill's memory, Olivia was the best girl in the world, while he himself was just a cowardly wretch whose guilt towards his deceased wife made him feel inferior.

"You're right, Anastasia. I didn't have the courage to be worthy of Olivia," Bill said. "So I secretly vowed to make Olivia happy. I wanted to prove that I was capable of making her happy and that her choice was right."

Bill Montague was a man of his word; he kept his promise, loved Olivia with all his heart, and gave his wife the best of everything.

With a happy family and a thriving career, Bill even spent a fortune to buy an estate and gifted Olivia an artificial swan lake.

"In fact, you did, and your sister is doing very well," Iniz Blatt said, "except for one thing."

“Yes, we never received the priest’s blessing,” Bill said. “I knew Olivia went to church often in private, and I thought the priest would sincerely bless us after seeing her happiness.”

Father Lawrence never offered his blessing to the wedding, nor did he ever state his reasons for opposing the marriage.

"Later, Olivia got pregnant, and we were going to have a child," Bill said, glancing at Mike. "It was only then that I understood why the priest had opposed my marriage to Olivia."

Mike stared wide-eyed in surprise; he couldn't quite understand what he was saying.

The wife is pregnant and the baby is about to be born. This should be a wonderful thing. How could it be related to the priest's opposition?