Chapter 161

The discovery that liquor numbed his suffering had turned Liam Blackwood into a frequent patron of the bottle. Yet each morning's sobriety brought the agony rushing back with renewed vengeance.

Sebastian Montgomery watched Liam's slow deterioration with conflicted emotions. "Mr. Blackwood, I understand your distress, but alcohol isn't the answer. Look what it's doing to you."

Liam's eyelids fluttered open, irritation flashing in his gaze. "What? You think I'm dying?"

Sebastian bit back his immediate response, choosing diplomacy instead. "The physicians have valid concerns. Perhaps you should consider—"

"Sebastian!" Liam's voice cut like a whip. "One more word about this and you're fired on the spot. Understood?"

The assistant exhaled silently. His thoughts turned to Olivia Sinclair—perhaps the only person who could reach Liam now.

Noticing Sebastian's contemplative expression, Liam's piercing stare intensified. "If you even consider telling Olivia, termination will be the least of your worries. This stays between us. She's close to Alexander—that complicates everything."

Sebastian understood the unspoken truth. This wasn't merely about secrecy—Liam wanted to shield Olivia from worry.

With a respectful nod, Sebastian let the matter drop.

The night deepened, prompting Sebastian to arrange accommodations for the medical team in the villa, scheduling their departure for dawn.

Meanwhile, Julian Hawthorne remained kneeling outside throughout the night. By morning, exhaustion had claimed him, leaving the disheveled man collapsed on the cold ground.

Restless thoughts had robbed Olivia of sleep. At first light, curiosity drove her to investigate the physicians' presence.

Stepping onto the terrace, Olivia froze at the sight of a prone figure outside the villa.

Hearing approaching footsteps, she ducked into an adjacent room, holding her breath as the sounds passed her hiding place. When silence returned, she cracked the door open—just as the first raindrops began to fall.

The icy drizzle roused Julian from his stupor. Rising stiffly, he grimaced at his ruined appearance without needing a mirror.

Bitterness flooded his veins. Despite rumors of Liam's mercurial temperament, he'd hoped for preferential treatment.

Liam's silence the previous night had fueled Julian's hope of eventual invitation. Yet dawn found him still discarded like trash.

During his time with the Whitmores, Julian had enjoyed privilege as the sole male heir. His return to the affluent Hawthorne estate had brought only indulgence—such humiliation was foreign to him.

The degradation stung, yet fear of Alexander's retribution kept him rooted. His muttered curses grew louder until polished leather shoes materialized before him.

Looking up, Julian met Liam's glacial stare.

Liam's lips curled in a dangerous smile. "You seem displeased. Your curses carried quite far. Care to share your grievances?"

Julian trembled under that mocking gaze. "N-no, not you! I was cursing my own incompetence for letting Alexander corner me like this."

The contrast between them was stark—Julian's bedraggled form against Liam's effortless elegance in casual designer wear.

Envy burned through Julian. He craved the power Liam wielded so effortlessly—yearned to usurp Alexander's position.

"Why shouldn't I have shares and authority too?" Julian muttered, madness glinting in his eyes.

Unfazed by Julian's turbulent emotions, Liam gestured. An assistant materialized with a chair while bodyguards stood at attention beneath umbrellas—none extended to Julian, by obvious design.

Though seething, Julian forced an obsequious smile. "Mr. Blackwood, might you help me?"

"Let me guess—you want Alexander destroyed?" Liam countered.

Julian nodded eagerly. "Yes! He's gone too far. I wouldn't have come to you otherwise—"

His words ended abruptly as a bodyguard's kick sent him sprawling. "Answer directly. No rambling," the guard growled.

Julian scrambled upright, babbling apologies.

Liam's question came like a blade: "What can you tell me about Alexander?"

"William is his weakness. And he's quite taken with Olivia—though I can't gauge her true importance," Julian whispered.

Liam's eyes narrowed to slits. "From your observation, how close are they?"

Julian leaned closer. "I sent you those photos and videos. They're authentic—have them verified if you doubt me."

Confidence oozed from every pore.

The mention of those images sent fury coursing through Liam's veins—snapshots of Alexander and Olivia sharing lunch, radiating joy.

Olivia's smile in those photos—so bright, so free—was one she hadn't shown her husband in months.

An arctic chill settled over Liam, his presence growing lethally still.

Julian, oblivious to the storm he'd unleashed, wisely kept silent.

After an eternity, Liam spoke: "I'll arrange your return. In days, I'll initiate a venture with the Whitmores—you'll oversee it. Alexander won't dare touch you then."

Julian nearly wept with gratitude. "Thank you, Mr. Blackwood! I'm eternally in your debt."

"Get out," Liam dismissed him with a flick of his wrist.

As Julian scurried away, Sebastian's lip curled. "I expected more intelligence from him."

Liam offered a thin smile. "You're the only one who truly understands."

Generations of partnership between Blackwoods and Whitmores meant Liam and Alexander's rivalry wouldn't disrupt business.

Sacrificing interests for Julian's sake made no sense—Alexander would recognize the strategy immediately.