Chapter 140

Olivia Sinclair felt a cold wave of terror wash over her. Every instinct screamed at her to flee.

She took several hurried steps backward, only to find her escape route cut off by a wall of bodyguards. There was no way out now.

Catherine Winslow watched Olivia's pale face with barely concealed satisfaction before turning back to Margaret Winslow. "Richard is determined to divorce me now," she continued dramatically. "It's terrifying for both me and our child. What will become of us? The media will destroy Richard's reputation. Margaret, your granddaughter calls you 'Grandma' every day—you must intervene! I can't imagine what I've done to make Olivia hate me enough to tear our family apart."

As she spoke, Catherine shot Olivia a venomous glare.

Olivia understood immediately. The recent incident had driven a wedge between Richard and Catherine.

She didn't know how they had tried to resolve things, but clearly, it had escalated to the point of divorce. And now, Catherine was blaming her.

Margaret's expression darkened as she listened, her fury palpable. "Olivia, come here!" she snapped, her voice sharp with barely restrained anger.

Olivia steadied herself as she approached, typing with deliberate precision. "I'm aware of their situation, but I'm not the cause. If Richard is furious, I'm sure Catherine knows exactly why."

A flicker of guilt crossed Catherine's face, but Margaret ignored it.

She stood abruptly and struck Olivia across the cheek.

"You have no right interfering in their marriage!" Margaret hissed. "Don't play innocent. With Liam pushing for divorce, you're just stirring trouble. Yes, Catherine made mistakes, but she's still family. You're meddling for the Whitmores' benefit!"

Margaret's voice dripped with contempt. "Olivia, this is disgraceful. I know all about your affairs. As long as you're legally married to Liam, I have every right to discipline you."

Olivia clutched her stinging cheek, her heart sinking.

Footsteps approached.

She turned to see a bodyguard advancing, gripping a thick baton.

Her back slick with sweat, Olivia stared at Margaret in disbelief. She typed frantically.

"You're condoning violence? That's illegal! Do you really think I won't call the police?"

Margaret laughed, the sound harsh and mocking. "Go ahead. Let's see who they side with—me or you. Even if Liam showed up now, he wouldn't lift a finger to help you. This is a family matter. If you can't behave, I'll make you."

Years of resentment had festered in Margaret, and now, with revenge within reach, she wouldn't let it slip away—even if she knew, deep down, it was wrong.

Morality no longer mattered to her.

Meanwhile, Catherine wiped away her crocodile tears and smirked. She handed her daughter to a nearby maid. "Take her outside to play. Things here might get... messy."

As Olivia watched the scene unfold, despair settled heavily in her chest.

Elsewhere, Liam Blackwood arrived at city hall on time, waiting for Olivia at the entrance.

An hour passed with no sign of her. His patience wore thin.

He hadn't come early to spite her—his anger had simply taken over. If Olivia wanted a divorce so badly, maybe he should just give it to her.

He sent message after message, but none were answered.

Olivia hadn't shown up, and Liam's frown deepened. What was she playing at? Did she think she could dictate the terms of their relationship?

Was their marriage just a game to her?

Furious, he dialed her number again.

Just then, Olivia's phone rang from inside the mansion, startling the bodyguards.

Margaret snatched it, freezing when she saw the caller ID. Liam was the last person she expected.

Olivia realized who it was and tried to struggle, but she couldn't speak, and they didn't understand sign language. Helpless, she watched as Catherine took the phone.

Catherine's eyes gleamed with determination as she whispered instructions to a bodyguard.

The man hesitated. "Are you sure about this?"

Catherine scowled. "With Margaret and me here, what's there to fear? If there's trouble, we'll handle it."

Reassured, the bodyguard took the phone.

Liam's jaw clenched when the call finally connected. "Olivia, are you joking?"

Instead of her voice, a man answered. "Sorry, Olivia can't make it today. She's busy."

For a moment, Liam was stunned. His expression remained cold, but his fist tightened. "And you are?" he demanded, voice icy.

The man on the line sounded amused. "A close friend. We're heading to a resort today. She asked me to tell you she's free tomorrow."

Liam's fury simmered, though his brows remained furrowed. "Tomorrow? That's supposed to be a day off."

The man scoffed. "What does it matter? She's not coming today. That's all you need to know. She doesn't want to see you."

Liam let out a humorless laugh, his eyes darkening. "A resort, huh? Which one?"

The man carelessly dropped the name before hanging up.

After the call, Liam's anger had dulled, replaced by a chilling calm. He turned to Sebastian Montgomery. "Drive. We're going back to the mansion."

The resort the man mentioned belonged to the Blackwood family.

An uneasy feeling gripped Liam. Had Olivia gotten herself into trouble again?

Meanwhile, as the bodyguard hung up after feeding Liam lies, Olivia's last hope vanished.

For the first time, she hated her inability to speak. Why was she mute? Why couldn't she defend herself?

She was utterly powerless.

Catherine watched Olivia's despair with cruel satisfaction.

She had noticed Liam's protectiveness toward Olivia that day in the chamber.

It was undeniable—and Catherine couldn't stand it.

Her marriage was supposed to be perfect. How could Olivia, someone she looked down on, have a husband better than hers?

"Let's get this over with," Catherine said coldly.

The bodyguard raised the baton.

Olivia braced herself.

(To be continued...)