Chapter 197

The silhouette of a towering figure stood motionless behind the translucent screen, cigarette smoke curling lazily from his fingers as he gazed out the window.

Olivia's hesitant voice broke the silence. The man turned with deliberate slowness, his lips twisting into a frosty smile. "Miss Hartley, how bold of you to interrogate me first. But I have a question for you. Explain why today's operation failed so spectacularly? More importantly, why did you disappoint me?"

Evelyn's confidence shattered like glass. Her eyes darkened with shame as she stammered, "My plan mirrored yours perfectly. Olivia simply got lucky. How was I supposed to know that old man from the Whitmore family had been feigning illness all along? This isn't my failure - no one could have predicted that!"

CRASH! The sudden explosion of shattering porcelain made Evelyn jump backward as the man hurled his teacup against the floor.

Before she could react, four broad-shouldered guards materialized around her, their glacial stares promising violence.

Heart pounding, Evelyn whirled toward the shadowed figure. "What's the meaning of this?"

"You defy my orders, then dare question me in my own domain?" Though spoken softly, each word carried the lethal precision of a razor blade.

Evelyn's body betrayed her with an involuntary shudder. Gritting her teeth, she countered, "My plan followed your instructions exactly! Even if everything had gone perfectly, with the Whitmores backing Olivia, success was never guaranteed. Blaming me alone is unfair!"

A cruel chuckle slithered through the screen. "Still refusing to acknowledge your failures, Miss Hartley?"

His words struck like a physical blow, draining the color from Evelyn's face.

Before she could respond, rough hands seized her, binding her wrists and ankles with practiced efficiency.

All defiance evaporated as memories of the man's notorious brutality surfaced. She'd played with fire and now faced the burns.

Watching Evelyn's distress, the man's smile widened into something grotesque, eyes glittering with malice. "Miss Hartley, I believe Liam has grown quite fond of you. Since you claim to love him so passionately, why not suffer this punishment in his stead?"

At his signal, an assistant produced a medical case containing a ominous syringe.

Realization dawned with terrifying clarity. Evelyn shook her head violently, voice trembling. "H-he cares for me, but not deeply enough yet! I'm valuable to you! I should have listened - I was wrong! I won't disobey again!"

The assistant advanced relentlessly.

Evelyn squeezed her eyes shut, awaiting the inevitable.

"Enough." The man's bored voice cut through the tension. "This grows tedious. Release her."

When the restraints loosened, Evelyn collapsed to her knees, her blouse clinging to her sweat-slicked back.

"Fail me again," the man warned, "and the next dose will be yours. I can always replace you with a more obedient puppet. The choice is yours."

Swallowing her terror, Evelyn whispered, "Understood. It won't happen again."

A dismissive wave. "Get out."

Evelyn scrambled to her feet and fled.

Once the door closed, a subordinate approached cautiously. "Today proved Liam feels nothing for Olivia. Yet he protects Evelyn fiercely. Perhaps we should shift our strategy - targeting Evelyn might give us better leverage against Liam."

The man's laughter held no mirth. "Did you witness Evelyn's pathetic performance? Claiming love while cowering for self-preservation. I know Liam better than that. The drugs haven't affected him as planned. We may need... alternative measures."

"Understood," the subordinate nodded.

Below them, Evelyn's birthday celebration continued obliviously as the man's lips curved in contemplation.

Meanwhile, Liam stirred awake in Mercy Hospital, his first conscious act being to search the room for Olivia. Her absence carved a hollow ache in his chest that his observers misinterpreted.

Sebastian Montgomery was occupied managing the fallout of Liam's collapse. Assuming Liam sought Evelyn, his men ushered her in immediately.

Relief flooded Evelyn's features as she rushed to Liam's bedside. "Are you in pain? Should I call the doctor?"

Liam's response was terse. "I'm fine. Don't trouble yourself."

Perching on the mattress edge, Evelyn wrestled with guilt over her earlier confrontation. "Liam... this is all my fault."

His eyebrow arched. "Your fault? Have you been scheming behind my back?"

The confession died on Evelyn's tongue. She couldn't bring herself to reveal the truth. "Nothing," she muttered. "I just regret throwing this party. It caused you stress, made you collapse..." She hesitated before adding, "And Olivia... she's poisonous. If the Whitmores want her, let them have her. Please, Liam, send her away."

Liam turned his face away, voice flat. "You know why she stays. She carries my child. That child remains with me."

Evelyn's nails dug into her palms. "You're truly keeping it?"

Instead of answering, Liam countered, "What else has Catherine told you?"

Evelyn hesitated before confessing, "She said... if Olivia and the baby stay, I'll never be your wife." The lie tasted bitter - Catherine's warnings had been more subtle.

Liam's eyes flashed with something dangerous before his expression smoothed. "Richard and I are currently... estranged. If you care for me, you'll distance yourself from him and Catherine."

Evelyn's smile froze. This was unexpected - Catherine had never mentioned any rift.

The realization struck like lightning: she'd been manipulated, a pawn in someone else's game.

Watching comprehension dawn across Evelyn's features, Liam allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. Exactly as planned.