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Chapter 700  Rivals?

"Ivy, what\'s cooking between these two?" He queried as he stared at them long and hard, not caring how creepy he seemed to others. Heck, he did not even care that the two men were aware of his and Ivy\'s presence.

Strange theories started popping up in his mind, ones which were unbelievable to even himself and Joshua shook his head to clear his thoughts.

"Say, Ivy, do you think they were rivals in the past, maybe had the same love interest or something?" He mused and Ivy\'s head snapped to him right away.

"What nonsense are you spouting?" She glared at him, ready to attack him if needed. "My Dad had only one woman in heart and that\'s my Mom, and as far as I know, Mr. Carter had someone else too."

"Hey, don\'t be annoyed. I was just stating my thoughts. Otherwise, why would there be such hostility between them?" Joshua shrugged and gestured towards the two men who had not spoken a word yet. "Why do they seem to want to murder each other, especially Dad?"

"I am wondering the same." Ivy\'s gaze returned to the two men and she leaned on the table, her brows furrowing into a frown. "Things sure seem complicated and I hate that I have no idea about it."

"Me too."

Ignoring the two youngsters\' gazes on them, the two men continued with their staring match, not one willing to back down. It was as though their pride was on the line and the moment they averted their eyes or showed any signs of weakness, they would lose out completely.

"May I know the reason behind your hostility towards me, Oliver?" Samuel could not tolerate the silence any longer and spoke first. But not once did he move his eyes away from Oliver.

"I would have revealed the reason behind it if I had all the evidence. Rest assured, it will not be long before you understand."

"Is it something I did in the past?"

"Maybe."

Oliver\'s reply was vague and Samuel frowned in confusion. "As far as I can recall, I did nothing to you."

"And I hope that\'s the truth." Oliver intervened.

"Then, why are you behaving this way?"

"After a near encounter with death once, it is not surprising that I am suspicious about everyone who might have been the reason behind my miseries. Other than my daughters, I trust no one in this world." Oliver did not hide the truth. Yet, Samuel was far from deciphering the meaning behind his words.

"Do you think I am somehow related to whatever happened to you?" Samuel\'s expression took a dark edge which Oliver noticed but ignored.

"Although you do not have any reason, I do not want to limit my suspicions and allow anyone to hurt my daughters or me again."

"But I would never do that, not when my son loves your daughter. So if I hurt Aria, it would be me hurting my son and I love him too much to do any harm to him."

"I trust you when it comes to Noah and I trust you when you say that you\'ll not hurt Aria for your son\'s sake. But that does not mean you\'d still not harm Ivy or me if a situation arises."

"Do you take me to be a monster? Why the heck will I harm someone innocent?" Samuel gritted his teeth in fury and Oliver\'s raised his brows slightly.

"What if that someone innocent is out to reveal your dark secrets and destroy you? What would you do then?"

"Look, Oliver." Samuel\'s voice rose, but he stopped suddenly when he realized where he was. "I have never done anything against my morals, nor will I ever do in the future. So, I have nothing to worry about." He lowered his voice but did not hide his exasperation.

"I have never harmed any innocent and it will be that way for life. I don\'t know what misunderstanding you have about me and why you doubt me and I do not care. Don\'t do anything that would hurt Noah or separate Aria and Noah. Consider it my request."

Samuel was fuming mad. He did not know what had gotten into Oliver and why he had suddenly gone defensive. Even though he understood why Oliver was dubious of everyone around him, he could not discern why he was being blamed and interrogated.

Oliver\'s reticent expression broke and his lips arched up into a relieved smile, one that had Samuel, Ivy and Joshua going into a state of total shock.

"I\'m pleased and comforted to hear that. Thank you." Oliver\'s entire demeanor changed and Samuel stared at him as though he was a lunatic.

"You must be wondering what happened just now, Samuel." Oliver leaned forward and rubbed the handle of the cup. "As I said previously, I am doubtful of everyone around me, including the people in my daughters\' lives. I do not want to take any risks with them."

Samuel understood where this was going immediately and his expression softened faintly.

"Your lives and ours are entirely different, like the North and South poles and I do not want the difference in our status to affect my daughter in any way." Oliver continued when he did not get any response from the other man.

"Although I trust Noah, there are still people around him who matter to him and I need to make sure that somehow they are not a danger to my daughter. I apologize for my impudent remarks previously. I hope you\'ll understand and forgive me for my behavior."

Oliver was not ashamed of his behavior but he was sincerely apologetic and Samuel saw it in his eyes. The remaining anger in him diminished right away and he let out a sigh. Being a daughter\'s father himself, he understood Oliver\'s concerns and he smiled faintly.

"You have nothing to worry about, Oliver. Neither Hailey nor I will ever interfere in Noah and Aria\'s lives. They are old and mature enough to handle things and unless they are doing anything that might harm others or themselves, we will never intervene. Rest assured, you have nothing to worry about."

That was all Oliver needed and his smile widened immediately, not noticing how astounded Ivy and Joshua were.