Chapter 246

The air crackled with tension as Evelyn stepped forward. "Liam, please," she said softly, placing a gentle hand on his arm. "Don't cause a scene because of me. I'm certain Miss Kensington regrets her actions. I'm willing to forgive her."

Seraphina shot Evelyn a look so venomous it could have poisoned the champagne. She struggled against Liam's iron grip, her face flushed with indignation. "Mr. Blackwood, I'm feeling unwell. I need to rest. Release me this instant!"

Donovan cleared his throat awkwardly, his voice strained. "Mr. Blackwood, this is a family matter. It doesn't concern you."

Liam froze, his eyes darkening with suspicion. Slowly, he released Seraphina's wrist. His piercing gaze swept over Donovan and Seraphina, a cold realization dawning in his gut.

A terrifying thought struck Liam like lightning. Olivia might be hidden among the Kensingtons. But how could she possibly have ended up with that family?

The question hung heavy in the air, a seed of doubt Liam immediately wished he hadn't planted. Did Donovan know anything about this?

Panic clawed at Liam's chest. He shouldn't have involved Donovan in this mess. But back then, with no other options, he'd seen no alternative.

Frustrated, Liam asked Evelyn, who was still quietly weeping, to leave first.

As Sebastian escorted Evelyn away through the murmuring crowd, Liam turned to depart. But then - movement. A blur of color caught his eye. A woman was pushing desperately through the sea of guests, her face etched with determination.

The woman rushed toward Donovan, dropping to her knees right before him. The sudden action silenced the crowd instantly, all eyes locking onto the kneeling figure.

Liam spun around, his breath catching in his throat as recognition hit him like a freight train.

Seraphina's mouth fell open when she saw Olivia collapse to her knees before Donovan. Donovan recovered first, quickly instructing his men to take Alistair away while he handled this unexpected situation.

Unable to speak, Olivia reached into her pocket and produced a carefully folded note. In shaky handwriting, she described being a victim of human trafficking, brought to the Kensington family against her will. She pleaded for freedom, explaining how she and her unborn child were being held captive in terrible conditions. The words painted a picture of desperation that made several guests gasp.

Olivia was risking everything. If fortune smiled upon her and there was even one compassionate soul among the Kensingtons, she might escape this nightmare. Even if her gamble failed, she reasoned they wouldn't dare harm her with so many witnesses. Seraphina's grand celebration had unwittingly provided the perfect stage for her plea.

Moreover, Olivia clung to the slim hope that some guests might be connected to the Bennetts or Whitmores - families who might intervene on her behalf.

Originally, Olivia hadn't planned to burst into the party. She'd deliberately given Seraphina an inferior gift, expecting to be banished from the private rooms. But she'd underestimated Seraphina's cunning. The woman might act like a spoiled brat, but she was sharper than she appeared.

Thankfully, Olivia had spent days playing the perfect victim, lulling Seraphina's guards into complacency. Their lowered vigilance had given her this single chance.

Olivia's silent plea contained horrifying revelations. A pregnant woman, unable to speak, trafficked into a powerful family and held captive. The crowd began buzzing with shocked whispers.

"My God! The scandals these wealthy families hide! How can they be so cruel?"

"Doesn't Eldermere have laws? How is this possible in this day and age?"

The murmurs grew louder, spreading through the glittering crowd like wildfire. Donovan's face darkened as he scanned the note, his expression unreadable. Liam stood frozen, torn between rushing to Olivia's side and maintaining his cover.

Seraphina's cheeks burned crimson with fury. "This is absurd!" she spat. "Someone remove this madwoman at once!"

But no one moved. The weight of Olivia's accusation hung heavy in the opulent ballroom, turning the celebration into something far more sinister. The Kensingtons' perfect facade had cracked, and everyone could see the ugliness beneath.