Chapter 162

Olivia Sinclair stood frozen in the shadows, her delicate fingers pressed tightly against her parted lips.

The revelation hit her like a physical blow. Julian Hawthorne had been Liam Blackwood's puppet all along.

Her mind reeled. Why would Liam orchestrate such elaborate schemes? She had believed their conflict was personal, yet Alexander Hayes had been dragged into this mess completely innocent.

White-hot anger surged through Olivia's veins, her fists clenching at her sides. Every fiber of her being screamed to confront Liam immediately.

But then she hesitated.

Liam's mercurial temper was legendary. Mentioning Alexander might only pour gasoline on the flames. There was no predicting how he would react.

Taking a steadying breath, Olivia resolved to warn Alexander discreetly about both Julian and Liam's machinations.

When the coast was clear, Olivia slipped from her hiding place.

The grandfather clock chimed midnight. The medical team had already departed.

She questioned the staff about the unusual visit, but their tight-lipped responses revealed nothing.

Were they truly ignorant or deliberately withholding information? Olivia's stomach twisted with unease about what fresh hell awaited her.

Suddenly, the tense silence shattered.

"Liam Blackwood!" A shrill voice echoed through the marble foyer. "How dare you ignore me? Unless you want my wrath raining down on you, you'll make this right immediately!"

Evelyn Hartley stormed in like a hurricane, her crimson gown swirling around her. Her venomous gaze locked onto Olivia.

Olivia turned to leave, but Evelyn moved with predatory speed.

"Olivia," Evelyn purred, blocking her path with a saccharine smile that didn't reach her cold eyes. "What an unexpected... pleasure."

The hatred radiating from Evelyn was palpable. The memories of her forced exile still burned fresh.

In Evelyn's twisted logic, Liam couldn't possibly reject her willingly. This had to be Olivia's doing. As Liam's wife, Olivia held influence over public perception.

To Evelyn, only Olivia deserved blame.

Olivia met Evelyn's glare with icy indifference and gestured for her to move.

Evelyn's smirk widened as she crossed her arms. "Surprised to see me standing tall while you wither away? Some people are simply born to grovel at my feet."

Olivia arched one perfect eyebrow and signed that she'd already filed for divorce, implying Evelyn should leave her in peace.

Evelyn struggled to decipher the gestures but caught the word "divorce."

Misinterpreting Olivia's meaning, Evelyn's face contorted with rage. She struck Olivia with a vicious slap that echoed through the hall.

Olivia staggered back, clutching her stinging cheek in shock.

"You'll regret crossing me, Olivia!" Evelyn hissed. "When Liam finally discards you, I'll make sure you suffer tenfold for every slight!"

Memories of past humiliations flooded Olivia's mind, her skin prickling with cold sweat.

Why wouldn't they just let her go? Was bloodshed the only way out?

For the first time, a spark of dark fury ignited in Olivia's sapphire eyes.

"Evelyn." Liam's voice cut through the tension like a blade.

He stood on the grand staircase, his inscrutable gaze flickering between them. How much had he witnessed?

Evelyn instantly transformed, her features melting into a mask of wounded innocence. "Liam! She provoked me! The things she said—"

Crocodile tears spilled down Evelyn's cheeks as she painted herself the victim.

Olivia remained silent, refusing to meet Liam's eyes. What was the point? He'd never take her side against his precious Evelyn.

Yet unbeknownst to Olivia, Liam's attention never wavered from her, his expression unreadable.

Finally, Liam offered Evelyn a charming smile. "Don't trouble yourself. I know your heart. Come upstairs."

Evelyn practically vibrated with triumph. She shoved past Olivia with unnecessary force, whispering, "You're finished."

As Olivia turned to leave, their voices carried clearly:

"Liam, why have you been avoiding me? I've missed you terribly."

"Business kept me occupied. But I'll make it up to you. Remember that limited edition Valtierra sports car you admired? It's being shipped as we speak."

Evelyn gasped theatrically. "But that's impossible to acquire here!"

"Nothing's impossible for you, darling," Liam replied smoothly. "Consider it yours."

Evelyn's squeals of delight turned Olivia's stomach.

Yet oddly, Liam maintained physical distance from Evelyn.

Blind to his reluctance, Evelyn clung to his arm, sighing contentedly. "I'm the luckiest woman alive."

Had she looked closer, she might have seen the revulsion in Liam's eyes.

Every word carved deeper into Olivia's heart. A sports car flown in from another country—such a quintessential Liam Blackwood gesture. A public declaration that Evelyn was his chosen one.

And what was Olivia? The punchline to some cruel joke. An easy target because she had no one in her corner.

Her hand drifted to her stomach. What kind of mother brought a child into this vipers' nest?

There had to be a way out.

For now, she would endure until her baby was born. Then she would disappear with her child forever.