Chapter 185

Isabella was utterly confused. Why would Evelyn resort to such extreme measures? There was clearly a missing piece to this puzzle that she couldn't grasp.

Then it hit her - the small tactical knife concealed in her jacket pocket.

As the security team continued their mocking taunts, a dangerous glint appeared in Isabella's eyes.

Her thoughts raced. If anything happened to Olivia, Alexander would be devastated. He treated Olivia like family and would never forgive himself if she came to harm.

The mere thought of Alexander's heartbreak and Olivia in danger made Isabella's blood boil. She was ready to throw caution to the wind and protect Olivia at all costs.

Just as Isabella made her move, an iron grip seized her shoulder and yanked her backward.

Her fingers barely grazed the knife's handle before she lost balance, the weapon slipping from her grasp.

The assailant moved with military precision, twisting her arm behind her back with such force that Isabella gasped in pain, the knife clattering uselessly to the floor.

Turning her head, she saw Sebastian standing there. Despair crashed over her like a tidal wave, extinguishing her last shred of reason. "Aren't you going to do something? Will you just stand by while they murder Olivia?"

Sebastian smirked dismissively before addressing the guards. "This one's hysterical. I'll handle her. Just secure the entrance."

Fury ignited in Isabella's chest. "Have you no humanity? How can you be so heartless? What has Olivia ever done to you? What crime has she committed?"

She was forcibly dragged into an adjacent room where Liam stood waiting.

The sight of Liam triggered an almost primal urge in Isabella to attack.

But Liam remained facing away, his posture rigid, emotions carefully concealed.

Isabella could feel the emotional chasm between them.

"Liam," she rasped, voice raw with desperation. "I know Olivia must have angered you, but remember your history. She's practically family. Even with the divorce, she grew up in your household. Can you truly watch her suffer like this?"

Silence was Liam's only response, his hand waving her away in dismissal.

Sebastian interjected professionally, "Mr. Blackwood wishes no conflict with the Whitmore family. Pretend you saw nothing, and I'll escort you out safely."

As Sebastian began leading her away, Isabella spotted an unguarded rear exit. Seizing her chance, she drove her heel into Sebastian's instep with crushing force.

His grip slackened momentarily from the pain - just enough for Isabella to bolt through the doorway.

Sebastian made a half-hearted pursuit before abandoning the chase with an exaggerated sigh.

Approaching Liam again, Sebastian lowered his voice. "She's inside now. The situation looks unusual, but their focus remains on Olivia. Your orders, Mr. Blackwood?"

Liam's fingers turned white-knuckled on the railing. Beneath his controlled exterior, fury raged like a storm - veins pulsing at his temples, eyes burning with barely contained wrath.

When he spoke, his voice vibrated with suppressed violence. "Our next move? I want them erased from existence!"

Sebastian placed a calming hand on Liam's shoulder. "Sir, you must remain composed. Losing control now will only endanger your wife further. The neurotoxin never reached Olivia - I've confirmed this. The Whitmores are nearly here, and with Isabella inside, she'll buy us precious time."

Liam's gaze turned arctic. Without warning, his fist smashed into the railing with bone-crushing force.

The reinforced metal trembled from the impact as blood welled from Liam's split knuckles. He seemed oblivious to the pain, driven only by self-loathing and rage. What good was his power if he couldn't protect the woman he loved?

Sebastian's face twisted in distress. "Mr. Blackwood, please! You'll draw unwanted attention."

Gradually, some semblance of control returned to Liam, though his eyes still promised vengeance. "Mobilize our inside team. If negotiations fail, we extract her immediately. Consequences be damned - I'll ensure her safety abroad even if she hates me forever. The Blackwood debt to her must be honored, as my grandfather decreed."

The words tasted like ashes in Liam's mouth.

With a resigned nod, Sebastian departed to execute their contingency plan.

Meanwhile, Isabella made her dramatic entrance.

Olivia lay immobilized on the table, vulnerable as a beached dolphin awaiting slaughter. Though her clothing remained intact, the hungry looks from her captors promised imminent violation.

Olivia's tear-filled eyes stared blankly at the ceiling, her expression one of shattered resignation.

Evelyn watched with perverse satisfaction, calculating whether the coming violence might conveniently terminate Olivia's pregnancy - absolving her of direct responsibility.

This was poetic justice for anyone foolish enough to covet her man.

Suddenly, Isabella brandished her phone like a weapon. "One move, and this goes live! As Whitmore Holdings' consultant, Olivia has influence. I control her social media with millions of followers. Don't believe me? Ask your precious Miss Hartley!"

All eyes snapped toward Evelyn.

Color drained from Evelyn's face as fury contorted her features.

How had this meddlesome assistant breached their security?

Trapped, Evelyn gave a stiff nod. "It's true," she admitted through clenched teeth. "But let's not forget Olivia's disgraceful behavior. We're merely administering justice. She brought this upon herself."

Isabella's jaw tightened. "Justice is for courts and conscience, not vigilantes. By what authority do you act? I'm broadcasting this atrocity unless you stand down. Try silencing me - the Whitmores value my work. Challenge them if you dare!"

Her fearless defiance rattled the mercenaries. While well-compensated, none sought notoriety. Evelyn's protection suddenly seemed flimsy against Isabella's invocation of legal consequences.