Chapter 169

"I see," Olivia murmured, though uncertainty laced her voice.

The stranger's tone remained steady as he continued. "Strange, isn't it? Now that Liam showers you with affection, it all feels...performative."

Olivia's spine stiffened. "His love is genuine! How dare you suggest otherwise?"

The man mentally labeled her a fool. Direct confrontation wouldn't serve his purposes; he needed her cooperation. Offending her would only complicate matters. Olivia still had unrestricted access to Liam without raising suspicion.

"Don't fret," the man soothed, easing the car to a stop. "If Liam's devotion is merely theater, then his true feelings must still belong to Evelyn. We can use that. When the time comes, we'll administer the same drug to her."

Olivia's face darkened. She flung the car door open, voice rising. "I'll prove Liam's love is real. Just wait until my gala next week!"

The man's lips curled knowingly. "I look forward to your demonstration."

His phone vibrated abruptly. The moment the caller ID flashed, his demeanor shifted to one of deference.

Olivia had already stormed away, leaving Sebastian too distant to overhear the conversation.

Frustration coiled in Sebastian's gut. He nearly hurled his earpiece to the pavement. He'd been moments from uncovering who'd drugged Liam.

Collecting himself, Sebastian smoothed his expression and strode toward Liam's suite.

He found Liam's condition markedly improved.

Liam sat propped against pillows, engrossed in a legal brief. Noting Sebastian's grim expression, he showed no surprise. "Olivia's involved, isn't she?"

Sebastian startled. "Mr. Blackwood, you knew?"

"Obviously," Liam replied, snapping the document shut. "I've sensed something amiss since Olivia returned. She used to wear her heart on her sleeve, desperate for my approval. Now she's secretive—whispered calls, covert messages. When I instructed you to surveil her today, I'd already connected the dots."

Sebastian's jaw tightened. "The Hartleys dared to drug you. Shouldn't we retaliate?"

Liam arched a brow. "You're slipping. Have you forgotten your training?"

Sebastian dipped his head, shame coloring his features. "My apologies, sir. I let anger cloud my judgment."

Liam's expression hardened. "The Hartleys lack both the courage and resources for this. They're puppets. Someone's exploiting my history with Olivia—those staged moments to provoke Evelyn's jealousy gave them the wrong impression. Even if we expose the Hartleys, the true architects will remain untouched. Acting now would only alert them."

Sebastian absorbed this, though fury still simmered. "But your health, sir? Should we continue the medication?"

Liam ignored the question. "You withheld parts of Olivia's conversation, didn't you?"

Sebastian shifted uncomfortably. "I...feared it would distress you."

With sudden violence, Liam hurled his brief at Sebastian.

The assistant didn't flinch. "Even if you strike me, sir, I stand by my decision. Your recovery takes precedence."

Liam exhaled sharply, his pallor stark under the dim lighting. "Your silence changes nothing. I've deduced their plan. If necessary, they'll drug Evelyn too."

Sebastian's eyes widened. "You anticipated that as well?"

Liam reclined against the pillows, lids falling shut. "Their strategy is transparent. That's why their initial trap succeeded. And don't mistake this for chivalry—they're targeting me. Dragging Evelyn into this is collateral damage."

Sebastian's frustration resurged. "If she discovers your role in—"

Liam barked a laugh. "She'd never believe it. To Evelyn, I'll always be the villain."

Meanwhile, at Mercy Hospital, Evelyn sneezed violently. Rubbing her arms against the chill, she blamed the aggressive air conditioning.

As she rose to adjust it, Eleanor burst in, alarm radiating from her.

"What are you doing?" Eleanor snapped. "Don't touch that."

Evelyn typed rapidly on her phone. "It's freezing. William just regained consciousness—this temperature risks pneumonia."

"Pneumonia?" Eleanor scoffed. "The doctors warned of heatstroke in this weather. My father's advanced age makes temperature regulation critical. Why are you here so frequently anyway?"

Her gaze raked over Evelyn with open suspicion.

Evelyn squirmed under the scrutiny, mindful she was on Whitmore territory and needed to maintain decorum.

"Enough!" William's rasp cut through the tension.

Evelyn brightened at his voice, moving toward the bed.

Earlier, the nurse had said William was sedated. Seeing him alert flooded her with relief.

But Eleanor intercepted her, shoving her aside.

"Father," Eleanor cooed, her smile brittle. "Any discomfort? Shall I have lunch brought up?"

William coughed weakly, waving her off.

Eleanor's protest carried a whine. "Why must I leave while she stays? The doctors restricted visitors. Alexander knows your condition yet insists on her presence—prioritizing some woman over family."

Evelyn studied Eleanor. The hostility seemed disproportionate. Had she offended her somehow?

Unless...this wasn't about her at all.

Perhaps Isabella was right—Alexander's position within the Whitmore family was indeed precarious.

William said nothing, just fixed Eleanor with a steely glare.

Eleanor wilted slightly, rising reluctantly.