Chapter 135

Liam's words hung heavy in the air as he shot Richard a suspicious glance. "I can see right through you. You're using my name to cause problems with the Whitmores while planning to make me take the fall, aren't you?"

Richard's accusation made Sebastian Montgomery stifle a laugh behind Liam.

The sound only infuriated Richard further, his eyes turning glacial. Nothing angered him more than feeling mocked. Was Liam implying he wasn't clever enough to see through such schemes?

Just as Richard's temper reached its peak, Liam finally stopped smiling and exhaled sharply. "Why are you so quick to blame me? If I truly wanted to cause trouble, do you think you'd still be standing here unharmed?"

Richard's mouth snapped shut, his cheeks flushing crimson. The uncomfortable silence stretched between them as Liam's words sank in. Maybe there was truth in what Liam said. But what exactly was he implying?

Liam drummed his fingers rhythmically against the table, each tap echoing like a heartbeat in the tense room.

"Listen carefully," Liam said, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You've been betrayed by someone closest to you. Instead of suspecting me at every turn, perhaps you should look closer to home." His piercing gaze locked onto Catherine, conveying volumes without words.

Catherine visibly trembled, her grip on her daughter tightening so hard she nearly dropped the child.

At first, Richard missed the implication. Then realization struck like lightning. He whirled on Catherine, his face darkening with barely contained fury. "You fool! What have you done?"

Catherine's eyes darted nervously before she lifted her chin in defiance. "How dare you accuse me based on his insinuations? After all these years together, raising your child, caring for your mother - is this how you repay my loyalty? I know nothing about business matters! Why point fingers at me?"

Her voice broke as tears streamed down her face. In her distress, she suddenly noticed Olivia standing nearby.

A malicious glint entered Catherine's eyes as she pointed accusingly at Olivia. "Or maybe it's Olivia who's meddling! She's always felt wronged by the Winslows. Lately she's been cozying up to the Whitmores. She's clearly trying to stir up trouble where none existed!"

Richard's expression darkened further as his gaze flickered between Olivia and Catherine.

Suddenly, Olivia gasped in pain and looked down.

Catherine's daughter had wriggled free and was now stabbing Olivia's thigh with a sharp hairpin she'd somehow gotten hold of.

"Stupid mute! Dirty slut!" the child spat with shocking venom, her sweet face contorted with hatred far beyond her years.

Olivia's hands shook with rage - both at the child's cruel words and at Catherine for poisoning such a young mind. Gritting her teeth against the pain, she gently pushed the girl away.

The child fell dramatically to the floor and immediately began wailing.

"You bitch!" Catherine screamed, lunging at Olivia with her hand raised.

But Liam moved faster, catching Catherine's wrist in an iron grip before shoving her away. She stumbled and fell hard, biting back a scream under Liam's murderous glare.

Seeing the blood staining Olivia's dress, Liam's expression turned arctic. He turned to Richard, whose face had gone pale with shock.

"If you refuse to believe your precious wife is behind this," Liam said in a voice like frozen steel, "I can produce the evidence right now."

He took a threatening step forward. "And if you're still blind to the truth, I'll be forced to discuss with the Winslow elders whether someone so easily deceived should remain in charge of our international logistics division."

Without waiting for a response, Liam took Olivia's hand and led her from the room.

Left alone with Catherine, Richard backhanded her across the face with enough force to snap her head back. "They have proof and you're still lying to me? Fine. We're getting divorced!"

The words hit Catherine like a physical blow. Despite her family's wealth, they lacked the Winslow name's prestige. Since marrying Richard, she'd endured endless snubs due to her inferior background.

Margaret Winslow had been a constant thorn in her side, forcing Catherine to tread carefully. Only after Olivia married Liam had Catherine gained some standing - at least she could speak, unlike the mute Olivia.

Now with a daughter, Catherine had finally secured her position. A divorce would destroy everything she'd worked for.

Tears streamed down Catherine's face as she confessed, "It was my cousin's fault! I only found out yesterday. There was an issue with that shipment - he took his team drinking, certain nothing could go wrong after years on the job. But the truck nearly overturned and the goods were damaged."

She grasped Richard's arm desperately. "The Whitmores are longtime clients - they approved the shipment without inspection. No one knows! We just need to blame them and it becomes their problem!"

Richard felt the room spin. He'd once been secretly pleased when Liam married Olivia, believing their children would be mute like her - strengthening his own heir's position. He'd thought Catherine superior in every way.

Now he realized Liam had the true advantage - at least his wife wasn't a complete fool like Catherine.

Richard could barely breathe through his rage. "You idiot! Did you really think this could stay hidden? If Liam knows, how long before everyone knows?"

Catherine blinked in confusion. "But I covered it so well—"

Richard's raised hand fell limply to his side. "Get out of my sight for the next week," he ordered coldly.

As Olivia walked away, Catherine's sobs and Richard's furious shouts followed them down the hall.

Olivia considered asking Liam how he'd connected everything to Catherine, but one look at his stormy expression silenced her.

Once in the car, Liam exchanged a meaningful glance with Sebastian.

Understanding immediately, Sebastian programmed Mercy Hospital's address into the navigation system.