Chapter 133

The moment Isabella mentioned needing to speak with Liam, Olivia felt a wave of uncertainty crash over her. Her relationship with Liam had become a tangled web of complications. Showing up unannounced might only drive him further away.

Yet Olivia understood the desperation behind Isabella's plea. The fact that her assistant had reached out at all spoke volumes.

After a brief hesitation, Olivia typed her reply: "I'll try, but I can't promise anything."

Isabella's response came quickly, laced with relief. "That's all I ask. Just try. There's always hope."

The exchange left Olivia's heart heavy as she opened her messaging app. Her fingers hovered over Liam's contact before freezing mid-air.

A realization struck her - Liam was currently vacationing with Evelyn. Bringing this up now could spark another round of misunderstandings.

Changing tactics, Olivia decided to message Sebastian instead. She briefly considered being subtle, then dismissed the idea. Liam had always been perceptive enough to see through her. He'd probably mock her efforts later anyway. Not worth the trouble.

Her message to Sebastian was direct: "Any idea when Liam returns? Need to discuss something important."

Sebastian was buried in paperwork when the notification chimed. His tired expression transformed instantly, a flicker of hope crossing his features.

Rather than replying, he grabbed his phone and practically sprinted to Liam's office.

Inside, Liam sat perched on the edge of his desk, absently swinging a putter. His chiseled features were set in a scowl that could curdle milk.

The door's creak made him glance up irritably. "What?"

Sebastian approached and murmured something that made Liam's eyebrow twitch.

"She texted you. Why the excitement?" Liam's voice dripped with feigned indifference.

Still, he extended a hand for the phone. Sebastian handed it over without hesitation.

Liam's fingers flew across the screen before shoving the device back at Sebastian, who immediately regretted peeking at the response.

"Why do you care when he's coming back?" Liam had typed.

Sebastian felt an instant migraine coming on. Wiping his suddenly damp palms on his trousers, he ventured carefully, "Mr. Blackwood, I'd never address your wife so... informally."

"My wife?" Liam's bitter laugh held years of resentment. "She's practically drafting divorce papers, yet you still treat her like royalty?"

Sebastian could only offer a helpless look. They both knew those words came from pain, not truth.

Olivia blinked at Sebastian's abrupt response, then sighed. Given Liam's obvious disdain for her, this reaction from his subordinate wasn't entirely surprising.

Still, she maintained professionalism: "Apologies for disturbing you, but this concerns Liam directly. It's urgent."

Watching the exchange, Sebastian weighed his options. "Should I say we'll schedule something when you return in a few days?"

Liam typed a terse reply and tossed the phone back. "No need to wait. If it's urgent, tonight."

Sebastian hesitated. "Sir... will you be meeting her personally?"

Liam's glacial stare could have frozen lava. "See her myself? You arranged this, remember. Not me."

Pressure built in Sebastian's chest as he tried to decipher Liam's unreadable expression. With no other options, he braced himself for damage control.

Meanwhile, Olivia arrived early at the designated location. Stepping from her car, she frowned at the exclusive club's facade.

An odd choice for a meeting.

The security guard stopped her at the entrance, explaining the club was closed for a private function. Invitation only.

After ten minutes of waiting with no sign of Sebastian, Olivia's patience wore thin. She dialed his number.

Through muffled background noise, Sebastian's harried voice came through. "Almost there!"

True to his word, he appeared moments later, slightly out of breath.

Olivia acknowledged him with a curt nod, her face carefully blank. That earlier message - questioning why she cared about Liam's return - still stung. They were still married, legally at least.

Noticing her tension, Sebastian cleared his throat. "Mrs. Blackwood, shall we?"

He led her inside to a private lounge, holding the door with exaggerated courtesy.

Olivia froze upon seeing Richard and Catherine inside. Catherine held a fussy toddler dressed in frilly pink, while Richard looked ready to explode.

It had been months since Olivia last saw the child. She marveled at how much Zuri had grown. Children changed so fast.

Her gaze lingered on the little girl, and without thinking, Olivia's hand drifted to her stomach. A pang of longing shot through her. What would her own child look like?

"You came," Catherine said flatly, passing the crying child to a maid. Though her tone was light, her eyes remained cold. "We were starting to think you and Liam had divorced already."

Her sharp laugh grated on Olivia's nerves.

Olivia's expression barely flickered as she greeted them with polite restraint.

Richard shot Catherine a warning look. "Mind your tongue. Even if they separate, Olivia will always be family. She was raised as a Winslow, after all."

Ignoring the backhanded compliment, Olivia turned to Sebastian, eyes narrowed. She typed on her phone: "Why am I here?"

Sebastian leaned close, whispering, "Richard controls the shipping division now. Maybe speak with him?"

A headache pulsed behind Olivia's eyes. Richard had always been difficult, and with Catherine's open hostility, this would be like walking through a minefield.

For a wild moment, Olivia wondered if Liam had orchestrated this whole charade.

Richard cut in impatiently, "Well? I'm busy. State your business."

Taking a steadying breath, Olivia began typing. She outlined the situation concisely: "There's been a misunderstanding between our families. The Whitmores and Blackwoods have collaborated for generations. It makes no sense to ruin that over baseless accusations."

Richard's reaction was volcanic. His face darkened like a thundercloud as he processed her words.

The tension in the room became palpable.