Chapter 21

Tears streamed down Olivia's face in silent rivers. She desperately wanted to explain herself, but only choked whimpers escaped her trembling lips.

Her fingers shook violently as she reached for her phone. "Would you trust me if I swore it wasn't me?" she typed with unsteady hands.

Liam's stormy gaze pinned her in place, his eyes dark with betrayal. "Do you have any idea what that project meant? The sleepless nights? The sacrifices?" His voice cracked with barely contained rage. "We lost everything because of you. A hundred million gone. For what? A miserable million?"

His hand shot out, gripping her chin with bruising force. Olivia gasped as his fingers dug into her skin, cutting off her air. "Haven't I given you everything? Money, freedom, my name? Was this your plan all along? Some twisted revenge?"

Olivia shook her head frantically, tears blurring her vision. The mere thought of betraying Liam made her physically ill. She'd never touched the accounts he'd set up for her. How could he believe she'd sell him out? Yet she had entered his study that night - always careful, never disturbing anything - and now that simple act condemned her.

"It wasn't her! For God's sake, Liam, look at her! She can't breathe!" Natalie fought to pull Liam away, but he stood like an immovable mountain.

Only when Olivia's face turned an alarming shade of purple did his grip finally loosen.

The sudden sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the doorway. "Who called the authorities?"

Natalie had dialed emergency services to report the man still crumpled on the floor. She never imagined the situation would escalate like this.

"There's been a terrible mistake-" Natalie began explaining, but the man interrupted with a dramatic wail. "Olivia! Olivia blackmailed me! She gave me no choice!"

The officer's piercing gaze shifted to Olivia. "And who exactly is Olivia? What are these alleged blackmail claims?"

Recognition flashed across the officer's face when he saw Liam, making him hesitate.

"Mr. Blackwood, please! Olivia has worshipped you since she was a girl. Even as your wife, she's endured so much in silence-" Natalie's voice broke under the weight of emotion.

All eyes turned to Liam, whose expression darkened like gathering thunderclouds as he loomed over Olivia. "Anything to add to your friend's touching defense?"

Olivia wiped her tears with shaking hands and typed again. "What difference would it make? You've already decided I'm guilty."

"Exactly," Liam spat, his voice dripping with venom.

Turning to the officers with a cold smirk, Liam delivered his verdict. "She's the one who stole confidential files, costing my company a hundred million. Arrest her for questioning."

"No! Liam, stop!" Natalie's scream tore through the room as she lunged forward, only to be restrained by two officers.

"Me! Take me instead! I confess! I did it all!" Natalie thrashed against their hold. "Olivia's barely recovered from her injuries - she can't handle interrogation!"

Chaos erupted as officers moved to drag Olivia from her hospital bed.

As they hauled her up, Olivia caught Evelyn's triumphant smirk.

Their eyes met for one terrible moment - understanding flashing between them - before Olivia turned desperately to Liam. With tremendous effort, she forced her damaged vocal cords to produce a single, broken word: "Liam..."

He whirled around at the sound of his name, his furious gaze locking onto her frail form in the thin hospital gown.

Then Olivia's eyes rolled back.

Her body went limp.

She collapsed to the floor like a marionette with cut strings.