Chapter 125

Olivia barely caught her balance. The adrenaline from her near-miss still coursed through her veins, leaving her chilled and shaken. When had Liam arrived? How much had he heard?

Her nervous gaze flickered up to meet Liam's. His obsidian eyes revealed nothing, a perfect mask of indifference.

Liam sensed Olivia's stare but refused to acknowledge it. Instead, he pulled her protectively behind him, advancing with deliberate steps toward the elderly woman and her grandson.

The old woman recoiled slightly but held her ground. "You must be her husband? Let me enlighten you. Your wife has been unfaithful, carrying on with some man who bought her that penthouse. She's even pregnant with his child!"

"Is that a fact?" Liam's lips curled into a mocking smile, his eyes turning glacial.

He continued sharply, "You sound so certain. That must mean you have proof."

The elderly woman straightened proudly, believing she'd successfully planted seeds of doubt.

But Liam's next words shattered her confidence. "Since you claim to have witnessed everything, describe this man to me. Tell me when he visits, and I'll check the security footage. If I find nothing, that means you've been spreading malicious lies - a crime punishable by law. The length of your jail sentence would depend entirely on my mood. And if I'm particularly displeased, criminal charges could ruin your grandson's future prospects, especially with you as his legal guardian."

Though bluffing, Liam's mention of the boy's future struck terror into the woman's heart.

Her voice trembled. "Why should I be arrested because of your wife's scandalous behavior? It's suspicious how someone with no visible income can afford the most expensive residence in town! And she's always covering her stomach - doesn't that suggest pregnancy?"

Before Liam could respond, Olivia swiftly typed on her phone, the mechanical voice declaring: "You have zero evidence of pregnancy. These are baseless accusations damaging my reputation. We'll let the police determine the truth."

"No!" the woman gasped, panic rising. "Whether you're pregnant or not isn't my concern! I merely observed you might be. That's all!"

Bystanders erupted in laughter at the woman's desperate backtracking.

Humiliated, the elderly woman dramatically collapsed to the ground, wailing and beating her thighs. "The world's gone mad! Young people assaulting elders, knocking over children without apology, now threatening jail! Where's the justice?"

Olivia couldn't suppress a scoff at the woman's sudden concern for "justice."

The crowd, recognizing the absurdity, offered no sympathy to the dramatic performance.

Exhausted by the spectacle, Olivia tugged Liam's sleeve, signing her desire to leave.

He glanced down at her, hesitating briefly before nodding.

"Who's harassing my mother?" A furious shout cut through the crowd.

A barrel-chested man pushed forward, oblivious to his mother's theatrics and son's wails. His threatening demeanor made onlookers shrink back nervously.

Olivia's eye twitched in frustration. Would this circus never end?

The man's furious scan of the crowd halted abruptly when he spotted Liam. His expression transformed instantly. "M-Mr. Blackwood?" he stammered.

Olivia shot Liam a questioning look. Did they know each other?

Meanwhile, the elderly woman scrambled up at her son's arrival, pointing dramatically. "These hooligans! Look what they did to your son! Don't you work for Blackwood Enterprises? Didn't you brag about the CEO favoring you? Deal with these brats!"

As his mother continued berating Liam, the man's eye twitched violently. He looked ready to strangle her.

His stern glances failed to silence her tirade, which only grew more venomous.

Liam's voice turned arctic as he addressed Donovan Prescott. "Mr. Prescott, is this how your family operates? My wife lives in the neighborhood's finest residence, so your son attacks her while your mother spreads vile rumors about infidelity. Should all your neighbors expect such treatment?"

Each word struck Donovan like a physical blow. He visibly shook before collapsing to his knees.

"Mr. Blackwood, I swear I knew nothing! I came immediately! My mother's mind isn't right, and my son... he's just a mischievous boy! This is all my fault!" Donovan babbled desperately.

As he spoke, he began slapping his own face repeatedly, terrified.

The elderly woman paled, finally sensing the gravity of the situation, and fell silent.

But her spoiled grandson shattered the tense moment. Pointing at Olivia, he shrieked, "Dad, why kneel to her? Grandma says women like her are trash! Grandma says I should teach her a lesson!"

Olivia stood stunned. What kind of environment bred such a disrespectful child?

Donovan looked ready to vanish into thin air.

Liam's expression darkened. "If your son speaks this way, it reflects your parenting. That he'd insult my wife to my face makes me wonder what he says behind my back. You'll take time off to properly educate your son."

This "time off" was clearly a dismissal in disguise.

Liam continued icily, "You seem ill-suited for this community. Perhaps returning to your hometown would help you learn basic decency."

"No, please!" Donovan begged desperately, recognizing his career's abrupt end.