Chapter 211

Victor Blackwood's expression darkened at the unexpected revelation. "I'm aware of your complicated history with Liam. Childhood sweethearts who grew up together. Yet despite Evelyn now holding his heart, I sense lingering emotions on his part. His complete indifference to your current situation... it baffles me."

Exhausted, Olivia Sinclair stopped trying to determine whether Victor was mocking her or testing her resolve.

Her fingers danced across the phone screen as she typed her response. "Evelyn was Liam's first and deepest love. Had I not entered the picture, they would have married years ago. Evelyn once confessed that Liam planned to elope with her overseas to avoid our wedding, until Henry Winslow intervened. Even now, Liam suspects I was the one who exposed their plans."

The memory of Evelyn's bitter expression as she shared this story remained vivid in Olivia's mind. There had been an undercurrent of smug satisfaction in Evelyn's voice that day.

This revelation had come shortly after Olivia's wedding, when she'd been blissfully unaware of the turmoil beneath the surface or Liam's deep resentment toward their arranged marriage.

Feeling like an outsider in her own marriage, Olivia had confronted Liam directly.

His response had been cold and dismissive. "Why concern yourself with ancient history? None of this matters to you."

While Liam neither confirmed nor denied Evelyn's claims, his tone spoke volumes.

Now, watching Liam's behavior around Evelyn, Olivia found herself believing every word of Evelyn's story.

Victor appeared genuinely shocked by this disclosure. A dangerous glint appeared in his eyes.

"Who would have guessed my half-brother remains so obsessed with that woman," Victor mused aloud.

Then he flashed Olivia a knowing smile. "Yet something doesn't sit right with me."

With those words, Victor snatched Olivia's phone from her grasp, forcing her to unlock it.

Liam's contact information appeared immediately in Olivia's phone directory.

Truth be told, Olivia had changed phones multiple times, but Liam always insisted on being the first to program his number into each new device.

Before their marriage, Liam would declare arrogantly, "If you need anything, call me. You don't need other men's numbers. Those college boys are useless. You're too naive - I won't have them taking advantage of you."

After their wedding, his tone shifted slightly. "Call me if there's trouble. I don't want to waste time tracking you down if something happens. It's too inconvenient."

As Victor began dialing Liam's number, panic surged through Olivia. The thought of hearing those painful words again filled her with dread. She'd rather Liam ignored her messages completely, maintaining his usual indifference.

Desperate, Olivia lunged for her phone.

Victor easily dodged her grasp, sneering, "Why so nervous? Afraid of what I might discover?"

Before Olivia's fingers could brush the device, Liam's detached voice came through the speaker. "What is it?" His question was clipped.

Olivia's throat tightened. So he'd been near his phone. It had rung barely twice before he answered.

When Olivia remained silent, Liam's impatience grew audible. "If you have something to say, say it. I need to go backstage for Evelyn's award ceremony."

Victor glanced at Olivia, whose eyes brimmed with unshed tears, then signaled to Miranda.

Miranda immediately brought over a hulking man with a menacing expression.

Just as Liam was about to hang up, the brute interjected sharply, "Liam Blackwood? I have your wife. You have thirty minutes to arrive at the location I'm sending, or face the consequences."

Silence stretched on the line.

Though Olivia held no real hope, her heart pounded during those quiet moments.

Suddenly, Liam's icy chuckle crackled through. "What? Planning to kill her? Be my guest. Olivia, I never expected you to stage a kidnapping just to get my attention. You know how important today's ceremony is to Evelyn, yet you choose to disrupt it. You've truly disappointed me."

Olivia closed her eyes. Liam's response was exactly what she'd anticipated. So why did her heart still shatter?

Victor grinned triumphantly, motioning for the brute to end the call.

When Victor looked at Olivia again, his gaze held unexpected sympathy. "I thought you and Liam were playing some elaborate game to deceive me. Clearly, I underestimated how heartless my brother could be. Years of marriage, and he cares nothing for you."

Olivia's face remained impassive, offering no reply.

Victor stood, signaling his men to take Olivia away. "You've lost our little wager, Olivia. If you must blame someone, blame Liam - not me. Remember, he's the one who abandoned you."

Meanwhile, Liam stared at his phone, fighting the urge to call back. He hurled the device aside, clenched his fists, and punched the wall with enough force to crack the plaster.

Sebastian Montgomery, alarmed by Liam's uncharacteristic violence, urgently pressed the tech team. "Status report? Have you located her yet?"

"The call was brief, but we got what we needed."

Liam regained his composure, his voice glacial. "If you can't find that location, consider yourselves unemployed."

Five minutes later came the breakthrough. Olivia's location had been pinpointed to an abandoned residential complex in the neighboring hills.

Liam immediately mobilized his security team.

Sebastian intervened. "Mr. Blackwood, please reconsider - this could be a trap."

Liam's expression remained steel. "No matter the risk, I'm ending this today."

Elsewhere, after Olivia had been bound and placed in a vehicle, Miranda returned to Victor, visibly frustrated. "Mr. Blackwood, I don't understand your leniency with her. She's nothing but a schemer who manipulated that senile old man into letting her stay with the Blackwoods. That fool preferred her over welcoming you home. Doesn't that infuriate you?"

"What does that matter now?" Victor reclined with closed eyes, a sardonic smile playing on his lips. "Breaking Liam is what truly matters. Miranda, I've told you - she's carrying Liam's heir. Control yourself."

Miranda remained unconvinced. "But you heard his reaction yourself! Liam clearly cares only for Evelyn. Why waste resources on Olivia? Evelyn and Liam are young - children would come naturally in time."

Victor's eyes snapped open, pinning Miranda with an intense stare. "Evelyn will never bear children."

His casual statement sent chills down Miranda's spine.

Seeing Victor's resolute expression, Miranda realized this wasn't idle speculation. She fell silent.

Victor continued, "Therefore, Olivia's unborn child becomes our most valuable bargaining chip. Her safety and that baby's delivery must be ensured at all costs."