Chapter 149

Liam's expression darkened with visible irritation.

Catherine's carefully crafted smile faltered at his dismissive attitude.

As Richard Winslow's wife, Catherine had grown accustomed to deference from everyone - except Liam. The youngest Blackwood heir had never concealed his contempt for her.

She prided herself on her beauty, the very asset that had ensnared Richard's affection years ago. Yet her charms bounced off Liam like arrows against steel.

Like most of high society, Catherine had doubted Olivia Sinclair's marriage to Liam would last. The silent, fragile girl seemed an unlikely match for the tempestuous Blackwood heir.

But the current situation proved otherwise - Liam clearly cared for his wife.

This realization ignited bitter jealousy in Catherine's chest. How could that mute little thing command such devotion?

As she passed Liam in the hallway, Catherine suddenly stopped and declared, "Liam, I came to tell you Olivia has run off with another man. Check the hospital security footage if you don't believe me."

Liam turned slowly, his glacial stare piercing through her.

He advanced with measured steps, each footfall echoing like a death knell in the sterile corridor.

Catherine's confidence wavered under his predatory approach.

His voice emerged deceptively calm yet laced with venom. "Care to guess what I'll do to you for slandering my wife?"

Meeting his murderous gaze, Catherine felt ice water trickle down her spine.

Biting her lower lip, she pressed on. "Why would I lie? I saw it with my own eyes - Olivia got into a man's car when I visited Mercy Hospital. I even noted the license plate. Verify it yourself - you have the resources. I've no reason to deceive you."

Liam's expression remained thunderous as he said nothing.

A bodyguard glanced at Liam for confirmation before releasing Catherine and jotting down the plate number.

Liam's eyes narrowed in recognition - the vehicle belonged to the Whitmore family. His initial fear that Olivia had been kidnapped by business rivals evaporated. She'd left willingly.

The Whitmores, being Olivia's staunch protectors, would never remove her from hospital without her consent. The pieces clicked into place.

Only Alexander would dare spirit Olivia away without informing Liam.

A humorless chuckle escaped Liam as he mocked his earlier concern.

Smug satisfaction warmed Catherine's chest as she prepared to deliver her coup de grâce.

But before she could speak, Liam's head snapped up. "Get out."

"You—" Catherine's face flushed with humiliation, but she lacked the courage to protest further. She turned on her heel.

The attending physician, having witnessed the exchange, hurried over mopping his brow. "Now that you've accomplished your goal, will you release me? I've held up my end - please honor our agreement. I want no part in this. If you're ever caught, leave my name out of it."

Catherine shot him a disdainful look. "Such cowardice. Liam's temper does unsettle people. Your task now is redirecting his anger toward Olivia and Alexander."

The doctor paled at Catherine's malicious grin, unease coiling in his gut. "What exactly are you asking?"

Catherine leaned in, her whisper dripping with venom as she outlined her scheme.

The doctor recoiled, shaking his head violently. "No! Absolutely not! If discovered, I'm ruined! Find someone else!"

As he turned to leave, Catherine seized his wrist with bruising force. "Walk away now, and I'll tell Liam about the hidden camera you placed in Olivia's room. Imagine his reaction to that."

Terror glazed the doctor's eyes as bitter regret flooded him. He should have confessed to Olivia or Liam from the start.

But regrets were useless now. The die was cast.

Seeing his reluctant acquiescence, Catherine's triumph swelled. She patted his shoulder. "Follow my instructions, and your family stays safe. After this, you can leave Mercy Hospital. How about becoming the Winslow family physician? Richard is Liam's elder brother. However foul Liam's temper, he wouldn't dare harm a family retainer. Under Richard's protection, you'll be secure."

Fear gradually gave way to grim determination on the doctor's face. Trapped with no escape, he saw only survival ahead. Catherine's plan was ruthless, but it offered him a way out.

"I'll comply," he muttered.

Catherine's smile widened as she issued final instructions before departing.

Despite their estrangement and separate residences, Richard had unexpectedly agreed to return home today.

Having successfully planted discord between Olivia and Liam, coupled with Richard's surprising homecoming, Catherine floated on euphoria.

She'd planned to prepare dinner at home when impulse struck - why not visit Richard at the office first?

Familiar with the layout, she swiftly navigated to his private office.

Catherine threw open the door with a honeyed, "Darling!"

Her blood turned to ice.

There, on the leather sofa, Richard lay entangled with a younger woman, so absorbed they didn't notice the intrusion.

The scene sent Catherine reeling, vertigo threatening to topple her.

Only when the woman noticed Catherine and shrieked did Richard comprehend the situation.

Blind rage propelled Catherine forward. Though she restrained herself from attacking Richard directly, she couldn't resist slapping the woman hard across the face.

The blow nearly knocked the girl over. She clung to Richard, whimpering, "Mr. Winslow, your wife is vicious! That hurt!"

Richard soothingly caressed the woman's cheek, pointedly ignoring his trembling wife.

Catherine's furious gaze raked over the woman before demanding, "What does she have that I don't? She's not even prettier! Richard, how could you humiliate me with this... this cheap floozy?"

Emboldened, the woman leapt up and jabbed a finger at Catherine. "Don't you get it? It's because I'm younger! You must be pushing forty while I'm barely twenty-two. If I lack your looks, Mr. Winslow clearly prefers youth!"

The barb struck deep, and Catherine felt her sanity unraveling at the edges.