Chapter 102

Daniel stepped back, his concern for Olivia evident in his piercing gaze. "Call me the moment you need anything," he insisted.

Olivia gave a silent nod before following Evelyn up the marble staircase.

They reached a dimly lit landing where Evelyn suddenly whirled around. "Give it to me," she demanded, palm outstretched.

Olivia's grip tightened around the small package. She typed rapidly on her phone and turned the screen toward Evelyn: "This belongs to me. It was meant as a gift for Liam, but since he refused it, I'll keep it. You won't destroy what's mine."

Evelyn's laughter echoed coldly through the stairwell. She stepped closer, arms crossed. "How transparent. You're keeping it as leverage - to make Liam believe I've wronged you, then use this pathetic gift to worm your way back into his life."

Olivia's jaw clenched. She activated her phone's voice function: "You're mistaken. I'm done with Liam. That's why I agreed to meet today - to make this clear. After the divorce, we'll be strangers. Stay out of my life, and I'll stay out of yours."

Evelyn studied Olivia's face like a predator examining prey. She searched for any flicker of hesitation but found only steel resolve.

This wasn't what Evelyn had anticipated. She'd assumed Olivia's divorce talk was a ploy, but the woman before her seemed genuinely determined.

Lately, Evelyn had noticed Liam's growing indifference. The few times he showed warmth coincided with Olivia's presence - a pattern too consistent to ignore.

Evelyn had expected Liam to turn to her after the divorce announcement. Instead, he'd withdrawn completely.

Now Olivia's actions confirmed Evelyn's worst fear - it was Olivia who wanted the divorce, not Liam. Liam was being rejected.

The realization burned through Evelyn. She was the perfect match for Liam Blackwood! Olivia had stolen her rightful place, and now dared to act magnanimous in leaving?

Olivia remained oblivious to Evelyn's inner turmoil, only noticing how her smile had frozen into something dangerous.

Thinking Evelyn needed further assurance, Olivia typed again: "I won't contact Liam first. Just keep him away from me."

Evelyn's lips curled. "So if he comes crawling back, you'll graciously accept?"

The suggestion startled Olivia. Liam would never seek her out. She'd said her piece. With a final gesture, she turned to leave.

"Olivia!" Evelyn's voice cracked like a whip.

Then came the lunge.

Olivia's reflexes saved her. Instead of turning, she grabbed the banister and sidestepped just as Evelyn's hands shot out.

Evelyn's momentum carried her forward. She teetered for one horrifying second before her stiletto snapped. A scream tore through the air as she tumbled down the stairs.

The sickening crack of bone meeting marble.

Blood pooled instantly.

Olivia stood frozen, mouth open in a silent scream.

Daniel arrived seconds later, his shocked gaze darting between Olivia and the crumpled figure below.

"Are you hurt?" His hands hovered protectively as he scanned Olivia for injuries.

She shook violently, fingers trembling too much to dial emergency services. Someone below had already called for help.

The approaching footsteps were swift and organized.

Then Liam appeared.

Olivia's breath hitched as Daniel moved to shield her.

Liam's expression darkened when he saw Evelyn's unconscious form. His glare could have melted steel as he carefully gathered Evelyn into his arms.

Olivia tried to explain, but Liam cut her off with a venomous look at Daniel. "No excuse justifies attacking a defenseless woman. This was deliberate. The police will handle this."

Olivia's mouth fell open. She wanted to protest - only she and Evelyn had been present initially. The staff Evelyn brought could confirm this.

But Daniel squeezed her wrist in warning before addressing Liam with icy precision: "Your accusations are baseless. We arrived to find Miss Hartley already fallen. Neither of us touched her."

Liam's voice dropped dangerously. "The authorities will determine the truth. But mark my words - whoever did this will pay."

His words felt like daggers aimed at Olivia's heart. Why not accuse her directly? Was he protecting his reputation since they remained legally married?

The thought chilled Olivia to her core.

Paramedics swarmed in, efficiently stabilizing Evelyn.

Liam followed without a backward glance, treating Olivia like a stranger.

Tears blurred Olivia's vision as she noticed the shattered sculpture in the corner - its fragments scattered through Evelyn's blood. Her parting gift, destroyed.