Chapter 175

Liam kept his gaze lowered, concealing the flicker of irritation and disdain in his eyes from Evelyn.

"Why invite Olivia to your birthday if you despise her? What's the real game here? Planning to use the party as an excuse to torment her?" Liam's voice was sharp as his piercing gaze locked onto Evelyn.

Trapped in his icy stare, Evelyn felt a chill run down her spine. After a moment, she regained her composure. Pouting dramatically, she said, "Don't look at me like that! Do you really think so little of me?"

Liam chuckled, the frost in his eyes vanishing as if it had never existed. The sudden change made Evelyn wonder if she'd imagined his coldness.

"You're overthinking it," Liam said smoothly. "But if you're planning to make Olivia's life difficult, perhaps I should help clean up the mess. With the Hayes family backing her now, I'd hate to see you get burned."

Evelyn's eyelashes fluttered, visibly touched by his apparent concern. "Liam, I can't believe you'd actually protect me like this."

"So you still won't tell me the whole truth?" Liam arched an eyebrow, his tone deceptively light.

Evelyn nibbled her lip, emotions warring across her face. Finally, she sighed. "Honestly, there's no scheme. I'll be too busy hosting tomorrow to bother with petty games. I just thought... since you two had history, it's better to end things amicably. Once she moves on, she won't disrupt your life anymore. That's all."

Liam simply nodded. "Sebastian will handle it. She'll be at your party tomorrow, right on schedule. Don't worry."

Evelyn's face lit up with delight. She leaned in abruptly, attempting to kiss Liam's cheek.

Just as Liam moved to push her away, Sebastian entered the study, pretending not to notice Evelyn's advance. "Mr. Blackwood, your video conference is scheduled. Shall I prepare the connection?"

"Proceed," Liam said with a dismissive wave.

Frustrated by the interruption, Evelyn stormed out in a huff.

Liam exchanged a knowing glance with Sebastian, who followed Evelyn with a resigned expression.

Sebastian caught up to her in the hallway, his polite smile perfectly crafted. "My apologies for earlier. I didn't realize you were in Mr. Blackwood's private study. You must know - he's extremely particular about keeping his personal and professional spaces separate. It's quite an honor. No one else has ever been granted such access."

Evelyn slowed her angry stride, her expression softening slightly. "Is that so?"

"Indeed," Sebastian continued smoothly. "And there's more. You left so abruptly, you might have missed Mr. Blackwood's invitation. He mentioned wanting to meet you tonight in the rose garden. He seemed quite nostalgic, remembering how you used to spend time there together. He was hoping you'd come."

Evelyn's entire demeanor transformed, her eyes lighting up. "He actually said that?"

Sebastian nodded earnestly. "Word for word. I'm off duty now. Perhaps you should prepare for the evening?"

Evelyn practically glowed with excitement as she rushed to her room.

Despite their long acquaintance, Liam and Evelyn had never actually dated. During their school years, Evelyn had constantly sought Liam's attention, leveraging her family's status. The rose garden had been a popular spot for couples, though Liam had always rejected her invitations.

Now, out of nowhere, he'd asked to meet her there. The thought made Evelyn's heart race as she selected a daring crimson dress that accentuated her curves. She hurried to prepare the garden, ordering servants to bring the finest wine and then leave them undisturbed.

Unbeknownst to Evelyn, Liam had no intention of meeting her.

Twenty minutes after her departure, his persistent headache returned. A message from Sebastian confirmed Evelyn had been successfully lured to the garden. Making her wait was punishment for her recent defiance.

Though Evelyn wasn't directly responsible for his pain, Liam suspected she was planning something significant for tomorrow. The uncertainty only fueled his frustration. The more he dwelled on it, the more irritated he became. Why was he still preoccupied with someone who treated him with such indifference?

In a fit of annoyance, Liam turned to his liquor cabinet, downing several glasses. The alcohol burned his throat but provided only temporary relief.

As he drank, Liam realized Sebastian had been right - he was essentially poisoning himself for brief respite. Surrounded by enemies waiting to exploit any weakness, he felt compelled to continue.

Before he knew it, Liam had drunk too much. His eyelids grew heavy, but sleep eluded him as one persistent image haunted his mind.

Meanwhile, Sebastian had discreetly arranged for Olivia's door to be left unlocked.

Unaware, Olivia went about her evening routine, bathing before bed. She paused to text Isabella, confirming their meeting time for tomorrow.

Just as she sent the message, the door creaked open. Wrapped only in a towel, Olivia froze at the ominous sound.

She whirled around, grabbing a vase as she switched off the lights. Moving silently toward the noise, her heart pounded.

When a shadowy figure appeared, Olivia raised the vase to strike - but the intruder was faster, catching her wrist in an iron grip.

The sharp scent of alcohol assaulted her senses. Then a familiar voice murmured mockingly in her ear: "You look ready to commit murder."

Olivia's eyes narrowed in recognition. "Liam? What are you doing here at this hour?"

She struggled against his hold, but Liam easily wrested the vase away and pinned her other hand. Trapped and unable to sign, Olivia trembled with fury.

Flipping the lights on, Liam smirked at the fire in her eyes. "Too late to be afraid now," he taunted.

Olivia turned her face away defiantly.

Undeterred, Liam leaned closer, inhaling her natural scent - not masked by perfumes, but something uniquely her. Strangely, it soothed his pounding headache.

Seizing the moment when Liam seemed distracted, Olivia tried to push him away. But even drunk, his solid frame barely budged.