Chapter 18

"You!" Natalie rushed forward, but Liam had already swept Olivia into his arms, moving with determined strides toward the parking lot. He carefully settled her into the passenger seat, revved the engine, and sped away before Natalie could react.

By the time Natalie reached the parking lot, Liam's luxury car had disappeared down the winding hospital driveway.

At Mercy Hospital, owned by Blackwood Enterprises, an elite team of orthopedic specialists stood ready. Moments later, Ryan appeared, his trademark smirk in place. "Got into a scuffle? Rough treatment? Man, I know you enjoy your little games, but try not to break your toys, okay?"

"Enough!" Liam's expression darkened. "Get the tests started immediately."

"Fine, what should we check? Maybe her brain? She literally stopped time before, and now she's battered but still breathing. Definitely something wrong with her head!" Despite his teasing tone, Ryan moved with professional efficiency.

Olivia visibly shrank from Ryan's presence, but the pain left her trembling uncontrollably, unable to protest.

Soon, Olivia was wheeled away for comprehensive scans, given pain medication, and treated for her injuries.

"No fractures, but severe bruising. I'm putting you in a cast anyway. Try to minimize movement," Ryan informed her while studying her X-rays.

Olivia nodded silently, examining her splinted arm with downcast eyes. Her right arm's injury meant she couldn't use sign language to communicate - her primary means of expression.

Throughout the examination, Liam remained at her side, his expression unreadable but intense.

Olivia risked a glance at him.

"Need to say something?" Liam handed Olivia her phone with her uninjured left hand.

Awkwardly unlocking it, she typed: "You can go. I don't need your help."

Reading the message, Liam's face darkened instantly. "You really can't stand having me around, can you?" His voice carried an edge of hurt. She'd tried to leave when she saw him at the golf course, and now she was dismissing him again?

"Fine! Don't bother showing your face around me then!" Liam slammed the hospital room door on his way out.

Ryan, who'd remained by Olivia's bedside, sighed. "Olivia, you're too reserved. You should stand up for yourself more."

Olivia looked at him, startled by his bluntness.

"Relationships are simple. Keep him interested, let him fall for you, then walk away. Who cares if you can't speak? Your beauty speaks volumes," Ryan stated matter-of-factly.

Olivia shook her head vigorously.

"What are you afraid of? He doesn't bite!"

Grabbing her phone, Olivia typed rapidly: "I can't. Around him, I lose all my dignity."

Ryan, surprised by her response, impulsively snapped a photo of her message with his own phone before she could react.

"Just rest," Ryan said abruptly, tucking her phone under her pillow. "Sleep. You'll feel better tomorrow."

Olivia stared in shock as Ryan exited, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

Meanwhile, Liam received Ryan's message at a high-society gala. He hadn't returned to the golf course after leaving the hospital, choosing instead to drown his thoughts in champagne and superficial conversation.

Glass in hand, Liam grew increasingly withdrawn, his mood so dark that even his usual companions kept their distance.

Only Evelyn, seated beside him, seemed oblivious to his mood, playfully requesting he peel shrimp for her.

When Liam saw the photo from Ryan, he was mid-way through peeling a shrimp.

His eyes locked onto the word "dignity." Memories surfaced of a dinner with Olivia where she'd peeled an entire plate of shrimp for him, presenting it with a shy smile. Had he appreciated that gesture?

Regretfully, Liam couldn't remember - or perhaps he'd refused to touch the food, suspecting her hands might be unclean.

"What's so interesting?" Evelyn leaned in, trying to see his screen. "Darling, I'd love some crab legs too. Could you crack them for me?"

"If you can't manage, ask a server," Liam suggested coldly, locking his phone and brushing Evelyn's hand away as he reached for his drink. The half-peeled shrimp landed in the trash.

Evelyn recoiled, her eyes burning with resentment. It had to be Olivia. Ever since Liam left her standing outside that hotel, something had shifted between them. That mute little nobody must have interfered. How dare she dream of coming between Evelyn and Liam?

Seizing a bathroom break, Evelyn made a hurried call. "She's at Mercy Hospital today, VIP floor, private room. Get someone in there immediately and deal with her!"