Chapter 227

The decision puzzled Sebastian, yet his trust in Liam remained unshaken. Liam Blackwood never made mistakes - that much was certain.

Meanwhile, Olivia Sinclair enjoyed a brief respite from chaos. Though under constant surveillance, Seraphina showed no immediate intention of harming her.

Escape plans swirled in Olivia's mind, but every exit seemed barred. Perhaps running wasn't the solution. Maybe she needed to play a different game.

After careful deliberation, Olivia hatched a new strategy. She would befriend Seraphina Kensington. Gaining the woman's trust became her primary objective.

Fate smiled upon her plan - Seraphina happened to be distracted by other matters recently.

Though confined to her corner, Olivia became an attentive listener. Every whispered conversation between servants became valuable intelligence.

Within two days, Olivia had pieced together the Kensington family dynamics.

Alistair Kensington, suffering from dementia, had returned home searching for someone who remained elusive.

Donovan Kensington, the young heir, accompanied by his scheming cousin Seraphina, had joined the homecoming. Family reunion clearly wasn't Seraphina's true purpose.

Seraphina hunted - not for prey, but for a perfect specimen. Olivia had unwittingly become her captive.

Recently, a persistent problem gnawed at Seraphina like a relentless pest. Alistair's grand birthday approached, and she remained giftless. Normally, any present from her would suffice - the old man wouldn't refuse a young relative's offering. But Alistair's memory proved as unreliable as a broken clock. Half the time, he didn't even recognize his own granddaughter.

Seraphina craved to make an impression, to sear her image into Alistair's fading mind.

Olivia enjoyed limited freedom within her gilded cage - so long as she didn't attempt escape. All communication remained severed. Seraphina had ensured that. The woman showed no concern about Olivia memorizing escape routes - running would be impossible regardless.

With nothing but time, Olivia assembled the puzzle pieces. Armed with knowledge, she marched straight to Seraphina.

At that moment, Seraphina engaged in silent warfare with Evelyn Hartley. Since connecting on social media, their battle had raged. Seraphina preened like a peacock, convinced of her superior beauty and lineage.

Evelyn, however, played a different game. She weaponized her "connection" with Liam to wound Seraphina's pride. One day flaunting expensive gifts from Liam, the next hinting at romantic dinners. But Evelyn hadn't anticipated Seraphina actually rushing to the restaurant address she'd posted.

Seraphina arrived in a fury, only to discover Evelyn's deception. Fuming yet perversely satisfied, she confronted Evelyn directly.

With dripping sarcasm, Seraphina demanded how she'd missed their romantic dinner. She implied Evelyn's entire story reeked of fabrication. After all, Liam had recently visited Donovan's estate claiming work consumed him - no time for dates.