Chapter 206

Liam appeared composed on the surface, but the moment Olivia turned her back, his fingers dug into his knees with barely concealed tension.

A flicker of sorrow passed through Olivia's usually frosty gaze before she walked away.

Sebastian watched the silent exchange between them. Two people who clearly cared for each other, yet trapped in a labyrinth of unspoken words and misunderstandings.

Yet, Sebastian couldn't reveal the truth. Telling Liam that the child Olivia carried was his would only provoke him into reckless action. Sometimes, deception was necessary—even if it meant deceiving Liam first.

After Olivia disappeared upstairs, Liam pushed his plate away, appetite gone. He gestured to Sebastian. "Have the kitchen prepare something for her. She forgets to eat when she's upset. Tell her she's not leaving her room until she finishes a proper meal."

Sebastian hesitated. "And if she insists on cooking for herself?"

Liam's response was indifferent. "Let her. As long as she eats and rests properly. Monitor her daily routine and report anything unusual directly to me."

Just as Liam finished speaking, Sebastian's phone rang sharply.

Without delay, Sebastian answered. The moment he processed the words on the other end, his expression darkened. "Mr. Blackwood, there's been an accident. Your mother—"

Margaret had been involved in a car crash while descending the mountain.

Liam preferred solitude, living in a secluded villa nestled in the mountains outside the city.

The winding mountain road, though treacherous, was well-maintained and generally safe.

According to reports, Margaret, feeling unwell, had insisted on driving herself. The brakes had failed.

Now she lay in Mercy Hospital, condition unknown, with the police investigating.

The news unsettled Liam. Despite everything, Margaret was still his mother.

A gnawing suspicion took root in his mind. This didn't feel like an accident. Even if the investigation cleared him, his enemies would seize this opportunity to destroy him.

Seeing Liam's troubled expression, Sebastian suggested, "Mr. Blackwood, perhaps we should announce that you've been bedridden these past few days? That way, if they try to implicate you, there won't be any evidence to support their accusations."

Liam exhaled slowly, voice low. "That’s exactly what the mastermind would want me to do."

He was trapped in a dilemma. Margaret's accident seemed too convenient. But who would dare orchestrate such a thing? Someone with considerable power—or someone within the Blackwood family. Could Richard be involved?

A chill ran down Liam's spine at the thought. Margaret was their mother. And she had always treated Richard with kindness. He prayed it was just his imagination.

In the VIP ward of Mercy Hospital, Margaret had undergone resuscitation for the third time.

The doctor assured them she was stable now but required close monitoring.

Richard stood motionless, barely reacting even as the doctor called his name repeatedly.

When he finally registered that Margaret was out of danger, a flicker of disappointment crossed his face. Still, he asked cautiously, "Any risk of memory loss?"

The doctor, noting Richard's furrowed brow, spoke calmly. "No need for concern. In an accident this severe, a head injury would have been fatal. The real challenge now is her recovery. Without proper care, she could face permanent disabilities."

Richard waved him off impatiently. "Understood."

The doctor eyed him warily. Richard's behavior was odd. His mother had nearly died, yet he seemed disturbingly composed.

Seizing a moment alone, Richard slipped into the stairwell, where a gaunt man in a tailored suit waited.

A grotesque scar twisted across half the man's face, distorting his mouth into a sinister half-smile that unsettled even the bravest souls. His presence in the dimly lit stairwell was unnerving.

Richard approached, voice tight with desperation. "She survived. The doctor says she won’t lose her memory. What happens when she wakes up and names me?"

The man smirked, amused by Richard's panic. "A little late for regrets, don’t you think?"

Richard's irritation flared. "You're the one who pushed me into this. If I go down, you're coming with me!"

The man remained unfazed, lighting a cigarette before turning to face Richard. His unscarred left profile was strikingly handsome, but his hollow cheeks and cold eyes gave him an eerie aura.

He exhaled smoke slowly. "I warned you. High risk, high reward. You chose this path. I merely advised. Whether I'm caught means nothing to me—I have nothing to lose. But you? A Blackwood heir? You can't afford to fall."

Richard's anger warred with fear. Yet he knew this man was his only ally now.

Swallowing his pride, Richard muttered, "Fine. Just tell me what to do next. The reward is yours. I keep my word."

The man's twisted smile widened. "Stick to the plan. If all goes well, you'll soon be Margaret's only son. Didn’t the doctor mention her likely disability? Bedridden, dependent—she’ll have no one but you. After that..."

He left the rest unsaid, but Richard understood perfectly.

The plan was ruthless, but he saw no other choice. His expression hardened. "Consider it done."

Relieved, Richard's mood lifted. He regarded the man with newfound respect. "I used to think you were just a brute. But you’re sharper than I gave you credit for. Keep working with me. It’ll be worth your while."

He clapped the man on the shoulder before turning to leave.

As Richard disappeared, the man's eyes glinted with icy disdain.