Chapter 199

Eleanor's eyes burned with a toxic cocktail of emotions—rage and remorse twisting together in an ugly dance. But it was far too late for second chances.

Even as Eleanor pleaded for William's mercy, his expression remained carved from stone. "Effective immediately, you and Julian are no longer members of the Hayes family."

The finality of his words struck Eleanor like a physical blow. Her voice cracked, raw with desperation. "Father, how can you disown me? I'm your only daughter. If Mother were alive—"

William, once a pillar of strength, now looked decades older in mere seconds.

Olivia had never seen such exhaustion etched into the patriarch's face before.

With a heavy sigh, William delivered his verdict. "Eleanor and Julian will remain under house arrest until they confess everything. After that, they'll be exiled overseas. And ensure they each leave with a broken leg—consider it a parting gift."

The sentence shattered whatever fragile hope Eleanor and Julian clung to. Their desperate sobs twisted into venomous curses.

Olivia exhaled quietly. At least William hadn't succumbed to Eleanor's emotional blackmail. Keeping vipers like them in the family would only invite disaster.

William massaged his temples, weariness weighing down his words. "I need to rest. Alexander, stay. We have matters to discuss."

His gaze flickered briefly to Olivia before he turned away.

She couldn't decipher his intentions, but instinct warned her she was somehow involved.

Meanwhile, Sebastian burst into Liam's hospital room, his expression grim. "Mr. Blackwood, just as you predicted—the doctor has vanished. Not just him, but his entire family. And we traced a large sum deposited into his wife's account... under Margaret's name."

Liam's jaw tightened. Something reeked of conspiracy. Margaret didn't even know about Olivia's pregnancy—how would she have connections to this doctor?

Ever since their explosive argument, Liam's relationship with Margaret had deteriorated, though she'd grown closer to Richard and Catherine.

Recalling how Catherine had "coincidentally" appeared at the hospital that day, Liam didn't need a confession to connect the dots.

He snapped.

Ripping the IV from his arm, Liam ignored Sebastian's alarmed protest. "Mr. Blackwood! The doctors said you can't afford stress right now—"

Pale-faced, Liam barely registered the pain. "I need to find Olivia. Now. That child—it can't be Alexander's. It can't be."

The thought made him want to punch himself. How had he been so blind?

Liam knew exactly why he'd missed the signs—Olivia had always attracted admirers like wildfire.

Growing up, he'd resorted to icy glares and thinly veiled threats to scare off her suitors. "Keep hanging around those losers, and you'll be out on the street."

It worked. Olivia would shrink back, too intimidated to entertain their advances.

But Liam knew the truth—if Olivia ever truly loved someone else, he'd be powerless to stop her.

Was the baby his? The question haunted him, dragging up memories of her first pregnancy.

Back then, he'd been overjoyed—only to have his hopes obliterated when she terminated it.

The pain had been unbearable. Did she hate him so much she couldn't bear his child?

Afterward, doctors declared Olivia unlikely to conceive again. Heartbroken, Liam had meticulously used protection, respecting her choice.

Now, faced with the possibility that this child was his, one question tormented him: Why had she hidden it?

He needed answers. Now.

Sebastian barely managed to block the door as Liam shoved past him. "Mr. Blackwood, if you act recklessly now, everything we've worked for—"

Liam wasn't listening. His breaths came in ragged bursts, eyes bloodshot with barely restrained fury.

Realizing reason wouldn't prevail, Sebastian yanked out his phone and dialed Olivia. "Mrs. Blackwood, listen carefully. Liam is unstable right now. Do not meet him under any circumstances."

Olivia froze. "Liam wants to see me?"

Sebastian scrambled for an excuse. "He's... planning to propose to Evelyn this month. He has questions about the past. If this leaks, it could ruin their relationship."

Olivia's response was icy. "Proposing to Evelyn? Then when is he signing the divorce papers?"

Sebastian winced. Liam had no intention of signing anything.

He inhaled sharply. "I'll ensure he signs them promptly. Just... stay away today."

Olivia hung up without another word.

Seconds later, Liam's calls flooded her phone. When she ignored them, texts followed—frantic, demanding.

We need to talk. Face to face.

Gritting her teeth, Olivia powered off her phone.

The storm was coming. And she refused to be caught in its path.