Chapter 190

Olivia stumbled but caught herself by gripping Isabella's arm tightly. The disgust wasn't just on others' faces - she felt it churning in her own stomach too.

Her hands trembled with rage. Julian and Evelyn would stoop this low? Dragging two respected elders through the mud just to frame her? One had passed beyond the veil, the other lay on his deathbed. If William ever heard of this...

White-hot fury obliterated all reason. Olivia lunged forward and delivered a stinging slap across Julian's face. The sharp crack silenced the room. Julian staggered back, clutching his cheek, shock widening his eyes as he stared at the petite woman before him.

Her fingers flew in furious signs. How dare he slander William, who had shown him nothing but kindness? If he had grievances, he should face her directly. Did he truly think Alexander would fall for such transparent tricks? Wasn't he afraid of karma's retribution?

Though Julian couldn't understand sign language, the blazing fury in Olivia's glacial stare needed no translation. Guilt flickered briefly before he squared his shoulders. "See how she reacts when exposed?" he declared loudly. "I came today solely to reveal Olivia's true nature - to warn every man in our family."

"This gold-digger will stop at nothing for wealth and status." Julian's voice cracked with false emotion. "Why would I lie about my own grandfather? The kindest man I've ever known. The truth overwhelmed me - I had to speak out. Even if it means being disowned, I regret nothing!"

His passionate performance worked. Disgusted glances rained down on Olivia like poisoned darts. The crowd edged away as if she carried some contagion.

Upstairs, behind a black Venetian mask, a man observed the unfolding drama. His lips curved in a humorless smile. "When did Evelyn and Julian become such close collaborators? How... enterprising." The smile didn't reach his eyes - those nearby recognized the danger signs.

"Sir," his assistant murmured. "Evelyn's deviating from the plan. Should we intervene?"

"Let the show go on." The masked man drained his wine before smashing the glass. "Evelyn had better hope her gamble pays off... or else."

His threat hung in the air as his gaze tracked Liam pushing through the crowd below.

Sebastian intercepted Liam urgently. "Blackwood, I know you're furious. But this is clearly a trap for both you and Olivia!"

Liam's smirk could have frozen hell over. "They think with Henry gone and William bedridden, they can play these games." His voice dropped to a lethal whisper. "If I let this slide, my grandfather would rise from his grave to haunt me."

Sebastian held his ground against Liam's murderous glare. "Natalie's bringing Alexander now. He'll see through this. If you defend Olivia publicly—"

Liam's fists clenched until his knuckles whitened. He knew Sebastian was right. Their real enemy still lurked in shadows - the Millers were just pawns.

Yet the sensation of serpentine eyes watching from the darkness made his skin crawl. One wrong move could doom them all. But...

Meanwhile, Olivia hammered at her phone keyboard with shaking fingers. Tears blurred her vision as she typed her defense - not for her own sake, but for the two elders she loved as family. For them, she'd gladly lay down her life.

But the crowd showed no interest in truth. Cruel taunts rained down:

"Name your price for tonight, Olivia."

"Stop pretending you've got standards."

"Come on, which old man was better in bed?"

Something inside Olivia snapped. She grabbed a champagne flute from a nearby tower and hurled its contents at the leering man. Liquid splashed across his smug face.

"You bitch!" He wiped his eyes furiously. "Can't handle the truth about your whoring?"

He seized Olivia's wrist, arm raised to strike - when an iron grip intercepted him. "Touch her," Liam's voice dripped ice, "and I'll break every bone in your hand."

The man paled, recognizing Liam. "M-Mr. Blackwood—"

Liam's fist buried itself in the man's gut before he could finish. The would-be attacker folded like cheap furniture, gasping on the floor. All arrogance had fled, replaced by pure terror.

Evelyn's smirk faded as she watched Liam defend Olivia.

Wiping his hands fastidiously, Liam addressed Sebastian without glancing at the groaning man. "Remove this trash. However shameless Olivia may be, what right does this filth have to slander my grandfather?"

"At once, sir." With a gesture, Sebastian summoned security to drag the offender away.

Silence descended. Those who'd been loudest moments ago exchanged nervous glances. They'd forgotten one crucial detail - the "victims" in this scandal were pillars of high society. Boris had only accused Olivia and William explicitly. Any implication about Henry had been their own speculation.

The game had just changed.