Chapter 230

Olivia took a shuddering breath, steeling herself for the gamble. What did she have left to lose anyway? Things were already at rock bottom.

Her fingers ached from hours of relentless sketching, each stroke infused with desperate determination. When Seraphina finally snatched the fifth draft from her hands, the paper slapped against Olivia's cheek with stinging force. "This is utter garbage! If you can't even draw properly, why bother taking commissions?"

Dark smudges shadowed Olivia's eyes like bruises after sleepless nights. The insults burned, but she clenched her jaw and remained silent. Without protest, she produced another sketch from her portfolio.

Seraphina's gaze flickered over the new design. "Hmph. This one's passable. So you do have some talent after all. Consider this the final version. Get it finished before Grandfather's birthday gala - or face the consequences."

Crossing her legs with deliberate slowness, Seraphina's lips curled in a smirk that didn't reach her eyes. The irony tasted bitter in Olivia's mouth - the second design she'd created was nearly identical to the first rejected one. Seraphina's approval seemed as fickle as the wind, entirely dependent on her mercurial moods. And today, she was clearly in a spectacularly foul temper.

Earlier that afternoon, upon hearing Liam was visiting Donovan again, Seraphina had rushed to his study in full glamour mode. The guards barred her entry - business discussions in progress, no disturbances permitted unless urgent.

She'd even faked a fainting spell to gain access. The entire performance proved pointless. The moment Liam saw her, he announced his departure. When Seraphina claimed sudden recovery and offered to escort him out, Donovan suggested calling a physician instead. Not a single word passed between Seraphina and Liam during the entire farce.

No man had ever treated Seraphina with such blatant disregard, not even after learning her family name. Her private investigation into Evelyn Hartley revealed nothing extraordinary - average looks, shallow personality. Why would Liam prefer such mediocrity over her?

The more Seraphina obsessed, the tighter the knot of frustration twisted in her chest. Spotting Olivia still hovering nearby, her simmering rage found a new target.

Storming forward, Seraphina loomed over the quiet designer. Olivia kept her eyes downcast, the picture of submission, while turmoil churned beneath her calm surface.

Suddenly, Seraphina understood why Olivia unnerved her so. There was something in the woman's composed demeanor that mirrored Liam's - that same quiet intensity, the polite distance that felt impenetrable. Where Liam's aloofness stoked Seraphina's desire to conquer, Olivia's similar bearing grated like sandpaper on raw skin.

She could tolerate Liam's indifference, but from a purchased servant? Unacceptable.

Under Seraphina's venomous stare, Olivia's fingers trembled as she fumbled for her phone. "Miss Kensington, if the materials meet your approval, I'll take my leave now."

Before Seraphina could respond, Olivia turned toward the door. A manicured hand shot out, blocking her escape with terrifying finality.