Chapter 218

"If rage could kill, you'd be buried six feet under by now," Catherine sneered, seizing the opportunity to taunt Richard.

Richard's head snapped up, his eyes blazing with venom. "You guaranteed that man could help me eliminate Liam. Look how that turned out! The plan was to have him murder Olivia and her baby, but instead he betrayed us by spiriting her away and letting Liam uncover everything! Today, Liam made me a laughingstock. You know how vigilant he is. This blunder has only tightened the noose around my neck."

Despite the circumstances, Catherine felt compelled to defend Victor. "Maybe he had his reasons. Instead of shouting here, why not confront him directly and demand answers?"

Richard's face flushed crimson, his breaths coming in ragged gasps as he conceded. "You're right. I'll look him in the eye and hear his excuses myself."

Abandoning all caution, Richard stormed out, making a beeline for Victor's residence.

Catherine frowned, her hands trembling with unease. Richard seemed oblivious to the risk of Liam's men tracking his every move.

Upstairs, Olivia observed the commotion as Richard barged in. The fury contorting his features was unmistakable as he marched forward with Catherine in tow.

Olivia never imagined Richard would conspire with Victor. Despite sharing blood with Liam, Richard had crossed every line imaginable.

Miranda, alerted by the disturbance, took in the scene and immediately grasped the situation. She shot Olivia a withering glare. "This is all your fault. Richard's only causing trouble for Victor because of you. You're nothing but a curse!"

Olivia remained impassive despite Miranda's vitriol. She'd grown accustomed to such treatment. Now she could even retort with icy composure.

Her fingers flew across her phone screen. "If I'm such a burden, make your choice. Either finish me or set me free."

As a physician, Miranda knew precisely how to torment Olivia without endangering the unborn child.

This knowledge made Olivia's existence increasingly unbearable.

Moreover, Olivia understood escape was impossible without Liam's intervention. Though the Sinclair and Bennett families continued searching for her, their efforts proved futile.

This was fundamentally a Blackwood family conflict. As Liam's wife, if the Blackwoods claimed no outside interference was needed, rescue became improbable. Olivia realized she was merely a pawn in their vicious power struggle.

The realization washed over her like a tidal wave of exhaustion. She bowed her head with a heavy sigh.

Miranda noted Richard's hostile demeanor and sensed the day wouldn't end peacefully.

After a tense pause, Miranda seized Olivia's wrist.

Olivia looked up, bewildered.

Miranda's lips curled into a frosty smile. "You started this disaster, so you'll clean it up. If matters aren't settled today, blood will spill. Should anything happen to Victor because of you, severe punishment is inevitable."

Olivia's pulse raced with terror, yet part of her had stopped caring about the consequences.

As Miranda dragged Olivia toward Richard and Catherine, they witnessed Richard strike Victor.

Victor staggered from the blow but restrained himself from retaliation.

Miranda's heart clenched with anguish. She tightened her grip on Olivia's arm with bruising force and shoved her forward.

"Richard, here's your problem. Do what you want with her, but leave Victor out of this," Miranda demanded.

Richard turned slowly, a chilling smile twisting his lips. His gaze flickered over Olivia's pallid face before settling on her barely visible baby bump.

"What if she follows Catherine's example and births another useless girl? Wouldn't that disappoint you?" Richard taunted Victor.

Victor dabbed blood from his split lip with calculated calm. "The child's gender is irrelevant. Yes, I broke our agreement, but it served your interests. Even if Liam cares nothing for Olivia, harming her would give him justification to retaliate. A mutually beneficial compromise is wiser."

Richard's rage reignited. "Do you take me for a fool? You're clearly scheming to use that bastard child for your own ends! Meanwhile, that idiot Liam still doesn't realize it's his!"

"Richard!" Catherine's warning came too late.

Olivia, standing frozen, absorbed every word. Her head snapped up in shock as she scanned the room. What did Richard mean about Liam not knowing? And Catherine's expression suggested she'd known all along.

Recalling her hospitalization when Liam discovered her pregnancy, Olivia remembered Catherine's constant presence.

Suddenly, everything clicked with devastating clarity. Liam's apparent disdain for their child stemmed from believing it wasn't his. What monstrous lies had these people fed him?

Olivia clapped a hand over her mouth as silent sobs wracked her body.

Richard's face briefly registered regret before hardening again. "I considered sparing you," he said icily. "Now I see no reason to."

Olivia collapsed into a nearby chair, feeling like prey surrounded by wolves.

Miranda seized the moment to pressure Victor. "Mr. Blackwood, Olivia's useless to us now. If she tells Liam the truth, they might reconcile, ruining all our plans. Mercy isn't an option."

Victor remained silent, calculation gleaming in his eyes.

Catherine added, "We still have Evelyn, and others if needed. As long as we control Liam's circle, manipulating him is easy. Olivia's an unpredictable liability we can't afford."

Victor's gaze shifted to Olivia as he suddenly proposed, "Shouldn't we hear Olivia's opinion?"

The atmosphere shifted palpably.

Richard scoffed. "Of course she'll beg to live. Who wouldn't?"

Olivia lifted tear-filled eyes to meet Victor's gaze, a shudder running through her.

Beneath his benign facade, Victor was the most venomous serpent of all.

Clenching her fists, Olivia shook her head in despair, conveying complete resignation.

Miranda's smile widened. "See? She's given up. Whatever happens won't be on our conscience."

Richard declared, "This is your final chance. Eliminate Olivia, or our partnership ends."