Chapter 168

The night air was thick with Evelyn's sobs, yet Liam's door remained firmly closed, his indifference cutting deeper than any words.

As midnight faded into the early hours, her cries dissolved into exhausted silence.

Pressed against the unyielding marble floor, bitterness crystallized in Evelyn's gaze. Did Liam ever truly love her? His cold rejection answered louder than any declaration. How could someone be so cruel?

Her mind whirled with possibilities. Was it her treatment of Olivia that turned him away? Did Liam secretly harbor feelings for the woman carrying his child? Where did that leave her? Forever the mistress, never the wife?

A violent shiver wracked her body as these thoughts took root.

Then - a spark of defiance. No. This wouldn't be her fate.

At dawn's first light, Sebastian approached. "Miss Hartley, Mr. Blackwood spoke in anger. Please, let me help you up," he offered, extending a hand.

Evelyn's expression darkened, yet curiosity won. "Did Liam send you?"

"Of course," Sebastian lied smoothly.

Relief flickered across her strained features.

Internally, Sebastian cursed. Liam still burned with fury over Evelyn's reckless actions that endangered Olivia.

Recognizing they couldn't risk Evelyn growing suspicious, he played his role carefully.

Once composed, Evelyn's dramatics returned. "But if Liam cared, he'd come himself! Maybe he's disgusted by me. Perhaps I should leave."

"Please," Sebastian interjected smoothly. "Mr. Blackwood isn't angry at you - just your thoughtlessness. When news of his illness spread because of your actions, it compromised everything. He needs a partner who understands strategy, not petty emotions."

Evelyn's eyes lit with sudden understanding.

"Sebastian, truthfully - is this what Liam wants?"

"Without question," he affirmed.

A blush colored Evelyn's cheeks as her smile blossomed. "So that's his thinking? How foolish I've been! I deserve his displeasure."

Sebastian barely suppressed his smirk. Only Evelyn would swallow such obvious lies.

Lost in her fantasy, Evelyn missed his amusement. To stand beside Liam, she must become his equal in every way.

New determination straightened her spine.

An idea struck. "Sebastian, I behaved terribly yesterday. Take me to Liam - I must apologize."

Though noting her calculating gaze, Sebastian nodded magnanimously. "Of course."

Then she hesitated. "No - not like this. I'll return home first to freshen up."

"As you wish," he agreed smoothly.

Buoyed by imagined victory, Evelyn grew bold. "I once thought you incompetent, but you've proven useful. I'd considered replacing you after our wedding, but perhaps I'll reconsider."

Sebastian's lips twitched at her arrogance.

"Youthful ignorance," he demurred. "Now I understand where true wisdom lies. Miss Hartley, allow me to redeem myself?"

Evelyn tilted her chin regally. "You may."

"Then permit me to escort you home?"

The woman who arrived in tearful desperation now departed with imperial dignity, Sebastian trailing respectfully.

The villa staff whispered:

"The marriage contract won't last now."

"Olivia Sinclair can't compete with Evelyn Hartley's pedigree."

"After yesterday's scandal, for Mr. Blackwood to forgive her? That's love."

At the gates, Evelyn dismissed Sebastian. "My driver's coming."

With a bow, Sebastian withdrew - but not far. From the shadows, he watched.

A black sedan arrived. Evelyn entered.

Unbeknownst to her, when Sebastian helped her up, he'd planted a listening device in her pocket. Now, every word transmitted clearly.

"How is Liam?" asked a nondescript male voice Sebastian couldn't place.

"It worked," Evelyn replied. "He's never lost control publicly before."

"Monitor his condition closely," the man instructed.

Evelyn hesitated. "We should wait. Liam grew suspicious yesterday."

The man scoffed. "Sentimentality will ruin everything. Remember your family's stake in this. When you drugged Liam, was it strategy - or jealousy over Olivia?"

Evelyn's silence spoke volumes.

"You'll follow orders," the man commanded.

The line went dead.

Sebastian's grip tightened on his phone. This was worse than they'd imagined.