Chapter 247

The whispers spread like wildfire through the crowd. "Haven't you heard? The Kensingtons from Westhaven are practically royalty there. Their fortune protects them from consequences, so this doesn't surprise me at all."

Seraphina's face turned ashen, her entire body shaking with barely contained fury. Her sharp gaze swept across the gathering, but her usual entourage was conspicuously absent.

Donovan's expression darkened. He'd known Seraphina had detained a woman, but never imagined she'd stoop to such cruelty. While his cousin often escaped accountability, this time she'd gone too far. Had she completely lost her mind?

Before Donovan could intervene, Seraphina rushed toward the kneeling Olivia with saccharine sweetness. "Olivia, darling, what's come over you? Get up now. I've provided you with gourmet meals and proper care. If you wished to leave, you only needed to ask. This theatrical display is unnecessary."

Raising her voice for dramatic effect, Seraphina continued, "What a terrible misunderstanding! This poor soul was homeless and pregnant when I found her. Out of kindness, I took her in. But clearly she suffers from mental instability. Don't believe me? Call the authorities to investigate! In fact, I've treated her like royalty - personal nutritionists, daily massages. Why would I go to such lengths if my intentions weren't pure?"

Olivia's mouth fell open, her complexion draining to ghostly white. Her carefully planned exposure had spectacularly backfired.

The crowd's sympathy shifted instantly.

"Just a misunderstanding after all!"

"I knew Lady Kensington would never do such things! How cruel to manipulate such generosity!"

Natalie strained on tiptoes behind the throng, desperate to see the commotion. When she couldn't push through, she grabbed a bystander's sleeve. "What's happening? What are they saying?"

The man sneered in disgust. "Nothing important. Lady Kensington took in some mute pregnant woman who's now biting the hand that feeds her. Can you imagine? Accusing her benefactor! And the poor thing's expecting!"

Natalie's eyes widened in shock. Mute and pregnant - it had to be Olivia. Without hesitation, she began shoving through the crowd. "Olivia! Olivia!"

Olivia heard Natalie's voice and tried to locate her friend. But Seraphina swiftly seized Olivia's arm, digging her nails deep into the flesh.

Unable to voice her pain, Olivia could only endure silently. She looked pleadingly at Donovan, but he stood frozen in thought, brow furrowed. Olivia's heart plummeted - she felt utterly abandoned.

Then, through the sea of faces, Olivia spotted someone familiar. Liam! He'd been watching her intently from the crowd's edge. When their eyes met, she saw both joy and anguish in his gaze.

Olivia tried moving toward Liam, but he remained rooted in place, jaw clenched as he deliberately looked away. Liam reminded himself to maintain control. Now that he'd found Olivia, there were diplomatic ways to secure her release. But timing was everything - if he acted impulsively now, months of careful planning would be ruined. The final pieces were nearly in place. He couldn't risk everything for one emotional moment, no matter how much he longed to sweep her away.

Seraphina raised her hand as if to comfort Olivia, her face the picture of wounded benevolence. "How could you betray me like this? Have you no conscience? If you truly wish to leave, by all means go. But I wonder how you'll survive without the Kensingtons' protection."