Chapter 126

The murmurs from the crowd grew louder as Olivia Sinclair stood frozen in place.

"That family finally got what they deserved," a middle-aged woman muttered, adjusting her glasses. "They've been terrorizing this neighborhood for years."

A man in a leather jacket nodded vigorously. "Just last week, their brat of a son keyed my brand new Mercedes. When I confronted them, that old hag threatened to sue me for harassment!"

"My granddaughter came home crying yesterday," another woman chimed in, clutching her purse tightly. "That boy pushed her off the swings and laughed when she scraped her knee. The grandmother actually applauded him!"

Olivia's initial sympathy evaporated as she listened. These weren't just minor disputes - the Kensington family had systematically made everyone's lives miserable. Liam Blackwood hadn't been cruel; he'd done the entire community a favor.

The Kensingtons' desperate pleas for mercy fell on deaf ears as Liam turned away, his expression unreadable. Without warning, his hand shot out and clamped around Olivia's wrist.

She stumbled as he dragged her forward, her free hand flailing for balance. Shooting him a venomous glare, Olivia twisted her arm, trying to break free.

Liam's icy gaze didn't waver. "After that ridiculous phone call where you gestured like a deranged mime, I let it slide," he hissed. "If not for me today, you'd be picking up the pieces of your dignity from the pavement. A little gratitude would be appropriate."

Olivia's hands flew up in furious signs, her movements sharp and precise. Helping her today didn't erase his past wrongs - the two things weren't connected.

A dark chuckle escaped Liam as he grabbed her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. "Wrongs? Enlighten me, Olivia. What exactly are these terrible crimes I've committed?"

Her expression shuttered, eyes dimming like lights being switched off. What was the point? Even if she explained, he'd never understand.

Liam's grip tightened as anger surged through him. The words came unbidden, explosive and raw. "You assumed I helped Evelyn with those keys? Do you really think I'd bother with something so trivial? Am I the only person who could access your apartment?"

Olivia listened impassively, then took a deliberate step back, putting physical distance between them. Her hands moved in quick, precise gestures: Then how did Evelyn get them?

"The butler gave them to her without my knowledge," Liam snapped.

Olivia's fingers flew faster now, her signs accusatory. Why would the butler obey Evelyn unless he believed it was Liam's wish? As the head of Blackwood Enterprises, wasn't Liam ultimately responsible for what happened in her apartment?

Liam stiffened, then his voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "You're twisting facts to fit your narrative."

A soft, bitter laugh escaped Olivia as she turned on her heel and walked away.

For a long moment, Liam remained rooted to the spot, torn between pursuit and pride. Finally, with a grimace, he yanked out his phone.

The butler answered on the second ring. "Mr. Blackwood, how may I—"

"You're fired." The words were glacial. "Pack your things and be gone within the hour."

"But sir, I—" The line went dead, leaving the butler pale and trembling. "It's over," he whispered to the empty room, knowing better than to question Liam's wrath.

Meanwhile, Olivia stormed into her apartment, slamming the door hard enough to rattle the frames. Between the Kensingtons and Liam, she'd failed to get groceries, and now hunger clawed at her insides. Her hands trembled as she pressed them to her queasy stomach.

Then came the inevitable knock.

Peering through the peephole confirmed her suspicions - Liam stood there, his expression thunderous. Olivia held her breath, praying he'd leave.

"Don't play games," his voice sliced through the door. "Open up or I'll find another way in."

With a frustrated growl, Olivia yanked the door open, signing sharply: What will it take for you to leave me alone?

"Let me in," Liam commanded.

She shook her head vehemently, bracing herself against the doorframe.

In one fluid motion, Liam scooped her up and over his shoulder. Olivia's startled yelp turned into a whimper as she instinctively cradled her stomach, her entire body tense with fear.

Liam frowned at her unusual reaction. Since when did she recoil from his touch like this? The realization that she might genuinely despise him sent a strange pang through his chest.

Depositing her gently on the couch, he noted how she immediately curled into a protective ball, one hand splayed across her abdomen. The sight of Olivia - usually so fiery - looking so small and vulnerable unsettled him.

"Are you sick?" Liam's brow furrowed as he reached out.

Olivia scrambled back, signing quickly: Just a stomachache. Nothing serious.

Liam's sharp eyes scanned the empty kitchen, the lack of groceries. "Have you eaten at all today?" His voice held an unfamiliar edge of concern.

She shrugged, signing that she'd been busy and it wasn't his concern anyway.

To her astonishment, Liam's expression softened. "Do you want me to cook for you?"

Olivia blinked, certain she'd misunderstood.

His jaw worked as he forced out the next words. "What would you like to eat?"

She shook her head, signing that she could manage on her own.

Liam's patience snapped. "Fine," he growled. "We'll do this the hard way. How does a hospital IV sound for dinner?"

The threat hung between them as Olivia's eyes widened in alarm.