Chapter 142

Margaret Winslow's eyes burned with fury as she watched Liam Blackwood walk away.

Her hands trembled with rage before she snatched the nearest vase and hurled it to the floor, shattering it into pieces.

Catherine Winslow, the instigator of the conflict, flinched at the sudden outburst.

Seeing Margaret's stormy expression, Catherine cautiously approached. "Don't blame Liam," she murmured soothingly. "It must be Olivia Sinclair whispering lies in his ear. That's the only reason he'd treat you this way."

She placed a comforting hand on Margaret's shoulder. "You're his mother. Deep down, he loves you."

Margaret's voice cracked with sorrow. "The way he looked at me... as if I meant nothing to him anymore."

A sly glint flickered in Catherine's eyes. "Honestly, his behavior was unacceptable. You've only ever wanted what's best for him, and this is how he repays you?" She sighed dramatically. "If Richard were in his place, he would never treat you like this."

Margaret blinked, her tears pausing as she studied Catherine with suspicion. "Isn't Richard about to divorce you? And yet you still defend him?"

Catherine forced a sheepish smile. "We've had our misunderstandings, but we're still together. I'm not giving up on him." Her voice softened pleadingly. "I need your help. Think of your granddaughter—she's so young. What would happen to her if I left?"

Margaret massaged her temples, her tone icy. "I'll help you this time. But if you drag Richard into trouble again, don't expect mercy from me."

Catherine nodded eagerly, her expression submissive. "I'll follow your advice, I promise."

Margaret exhaled slowly, her gaze drifting to the doorway, darkening with resentment. "You're right. Richard would never treat me this way." Her lips twisted bitterly. "Liam may be the brightest, but his sharp mind makes him impossible to control. He's never been as obedient as Richard, not even as a child."

Catherine hid a triumphant smirk.

Meanwhile, Olivia was barely conscious, her body wracked with pain. Liam shoved her into the car without gentleness.

The agony intensified, draining the color from her face as tremors wracked her frame.

Sebastian Montgomery hesitated, about to intervene, but one glance at Liam's glacial expression made him hold his tongue.

"Olivia," Liam growled, his voice taut with suppressed fury. "Even if they had beaten you to death today, you still wouldn’t have called me, would you?"

He snatched her phone and forcefully pressed the power button three times. Instantly, his own phone rang.

Liam had programmed an emergency alert into Olivia’s phone—knowing she might be in danger but unable to speak, he had set himself as her sole emergency contact.

Olivia refused to meet his gaze, her silence answer enough.

She had never intended to reach out to him. Not when their divorce was imminent. Why burden him again?

"Still refusing to speak to me?" Liam's irritation flared as she deliberately turned away.

He seized her chin, forcing her to face him.

Olivia's vision blurred from pain. Weakly, she tried to push his hand away but lacked the strength. Tears spilled down her cheeks, landing warm against his skin.

The sight of her silent sobbing made Liam's stern expression falter.

Her lips parted, but only faint whimpers escaped.

Liam leaned closer.

Her fingers weakly clutched his wrist as she whispered, "Liam... Liam."

For a heartbeat, he froze.

Then, without hesitation, he swept her into his arms, slammed the car door, and barked at Sebastian, "Drive to Mercy Hospital. Now."

That tone—it was the same way Olivia had called his name when she first came to the Blackwood family as a child.

Back then, Liam had felt nothing but indifference toward the unexpected girl in his life.

But over time, he realized his initial judgment had been wrong.

Liam had never been good with words, so he showed his care by stepping in whenever Olivia was bullied—his way of making amends.

In return, despite her damaged vocal cords, Olivia had strained to say his name.

Annoyed by her effort, he had snapped, "Don't force yourself to please me. Your voice sounds terrible."

The hurt in her eyes had struck him like a blade.

For a moment, he almost chased after her to apologize. But something stopped him. Maybe it was better if she stayed away from someone like him.

After that day, Olivia never called his name in that tone again. Instead, she watched him with wide, wary eyes—like a frightened deer.

Liam told himself she must be afraid of him.

Later, Henry Winslow passed the leadership of Blackwood Enterprises to Liam.

The responsibility left him with even less time. A man in his position couldn’t afford weakness.

Back then, Liam was still young, barely able to protect himself, much less anyone else. Enemies lurked, waiting for any misstep to tear him down.

The weight of it all made him colder, more distant. His relationship with Olivia only worsened.

Every time she frowned, he wondered if she saw him as a monster.

Then Natalie Bennett introduced Daniel Bennett into Olivia’s life.

Liam, as a man, recognized Daniel’s feelings for her. Natalie had noticed too. But Olivia, oblivious as ever, remained clueless.

The breaking point came when Henry gave Liam an ultimatum—marry Olivia or vow to protect her as a brother for life.

Liam chose marriage. He couldn’t bear to let her go.

Perhaps Olivia resented him for it. The bright, cheerful girl she once was vanished overnight, replaced by someone cautious and sorrowful.

Deep down, Liam tormented himself—was being married to him truly such a terrible fate for her?

He had wondered for years but never dared to ask.

Irritated, he craved a cigarette. But glancing down at Olivia, unconscious in his arms, he restrained himself.

(To be continued...)