Chapter 160

Olivia's curiosity instantly flared. "Really? That's wonderful! Who is it?"

Julian, however, remained evasive. "It doesn't matter who. Listen, I have urgent matters to attend to. I must go."

With that, Julian abruptly ended the call. Tossing his umbrella aside with a sharp flick of his wrist, he chose instead to kneel in the pouring rain outside Liam's grand villa.

A security guard spotted Julian and hurried over. "Sir, may I assist you? If you're here to see Mr. Blackwood, appointments are required. If you insist on kneeling here, I'll have no choice but to call the authorities."

Julian looked utterly drained, his voice trembling. "I'm desperate. I need to speak with Mr. Blackwood immediately." His plea was raw with urgency. "Please, just tell him Julian Hawthorne is here. I only need one answer, and then I'll leave."

Reluctantly, the guard radioed a servant inside. After a tense pause, Liam's voice crackled through the walkie-talkie, cold and dismissive. "If he enjoys kneeling, let him stay."

Julian's face paled. He wanted to protest—didn't Liam care about the spectacle of a man kneeling in the rain outside his home? But he swallowed his pride, biting his lip hard enough to draw blood.

He told himself that not being outright rejected meant there was still hope. He had to endure this humiliation. Cooperating with Liam was his only lifeline now. Otherwise, given his actions, Alexander would crush him like an insect.

Meanwhile, Olivia, exhausted from the day's turmoil, longed for sleep. Just as she began to drift off, a soft knock startled her awake. "Madam, may I come in? I've prepared nourishing soup for you—perfect for the baby."

The word "baby" sent a jolt of panic through Olivia. She remembered the doctor's unsettling behavior—claiming to care for the child while his actions suggested otherwise.

She pulled the blanket over her head, pretending to be asleep. Then, the voice at the door softened. "Olivia, it's Beatrice. Surely you remember me?"

Beatrice? Olivia hesitated before slowly lowering the blanket. Perhaps her exhaustion had dulled her senses. She quickly rose and opened the door.

Beatrice's eyes filled with concern the moment she saw Olivia. "My dear, you've lost so much weight."

It was true. Despite forcing herself to eat for the baby's sake, Olivia had grown alarmingly thin. Morning sickness and stress had whittled her down. At three months pregnant, her slender frame barely showed beneath her loose clothes. She offered Beatrice a weak smile, gesturing that she was fine.

Beatrice set the soup on the table, dabbing her eyes. "I understand your fear, but please, try this. I made it especially for you. I was overjoyed when I heard about your pregnancy."

Olivia froze. Liam had shown no interest in this child. She assumed he'd kept it secret, yet even the staff knew. Too drained to question his motives, she accepted the soup gratefully.

The warmth brought faint color back to her cheeks.

Beatrice, oblivious to the tension between Olivia and Liam, added gently, "Mr. Blackwood does care, in his own way. He's been consulting doctors about your health."

Clang! Olivia's hand jerked, sending the bowl crashing to the floor.

She stared at Beatrice in horror. Doctors? Not for the baby—he'd promised to wait. Was he changing his mind?

Beatrice gasped. "Are you all right?"

Olivia shook her head, forcing composure. She gestured that she was simply exhausted and needed rest. Beatrice hesitated but finally left, casting one last worried glance.

Alone, Olivia's mind raced. She resolved to confront Liam tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Liam's room blazed with light, thick with tension. A team of doctors stood around his bed, their expressions grim.

Liam's veins bulged at his temples, his body rigid with pain. Normally a master of control, he now writhed, sweat soaking his sheets. His knuckles whitened as he gripped the fabric, nearly tearing it apart.

Sebastian watched anxiously. These were elite specialists, yet they seemed powerless.

"Is there truly nothing you can do?" Sebastian pressed.

One doctor shook his head helplessly. "This neurotoxin is unlike anything we've seen. We need advanced equipment from Eldermere to analyze it properly."

"Useless!" Liam snarled through gritted teeth. Leaving wasn't an option—too many enemies watched.

Sebastian signaled the doctor. "Administer the sedative and pain relief."

The doctor hesitated. "This is a temporary fix. It could worsen the condition long-term—"

"Now!" Liam demanded, his voice ragged.

Once the drugs took effect, Liam's breathing steadied slightly. Still dizzy, he pressed a hand to his forehead. "Dismiss them," he muttered. "You know what to say."

Sebastian nodded, ushering the doctors out.

Liam stared out the window, his expression icy. This torment had begun two weeks ago, after that pregnant employee lost her child. Someone had poisoned him—a man who prided himself on vigilance.

The pain was relentless, like thousands of ants devouring his brain. Worse than the agony was the fear of vulnerability. His enemies would pounce at the first sign of weakness.

Later, Liam found fleeting relief in whiskey. It dulled the torment, if only for a while.