Chapter 261

Richard's initial shock quickly morphed into white-hot fury. "Liam! What kind of twisted game are you playing? Have you been counting down the days until our mother's death? She's fighting for her life in that hospital bed. Have you no shame?" His hands trembled at his sides, veins bulging in his neck.

Liam's face turned to stone, his piercing gaze glacial. "Cut the theatrics. We both know why you're here. I've seen through your little charade since Margaret's so-called accident. Why bother pretending now?"

Cornered, Richard lashed out like a wounded animal. "You're delusional! That accident happened barely three blocks from your penthouse. Who wouldn't suspect you? And now you're not just wishing her dead, but trying to blame me? The audacity!"

A cold smirk played on Liam's lips. "Three blocks, you say? Fascinating precision. Weren't the security cameras mysteriously disabled that day? How then, dear brother, do you know the exact location?"

Richard's mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, his face flushing crimson.

Victor sighed inwardly, mentally cataloging Richard's incompetence.

The silence stretched painfully as Richard struggled to form a coherent response, his earlier bravado crumbling.

Watching the exchange unfold, Victor realized their carefully laid plans were unraveling. With a subtle tilt of his head, he signaled Evelyn to initiate their contingency plan.

To his utter disbelief, Evelyn deliberately turned away, pretending not to notice his cue.

Victor's expression darkened like a gathering storm.

The air grew thick with tension, charged like the moment before lightning strikes.

Catherine's smooth voice sliced through the silence. "This isn't right, Liam. Richard has barely left Margaret's bedside these past days. We all know how devoted he is. Your accusations are cruel."

Liam's smirk deepened as his gaze locked onto Catherine. "Ah, Catherine. I'd almost forgotten you were here. Now that you've spoken up, I have a question for you too."

The unspoken threat in his eyes made Catherine's blood run cold.

Her mind raced through every secret, every deception. Had he discovered her role in misleading him about Olivia's pregnancy? But no, he wouldn't be this composed if he knew. Then what? What other skeleton had he dragged from her closet?

Her manicured nails dug into her palms as she braced for the blow.

At that precise moment, a harried doctor rushed into the waiting area, his face grave. "Is the Winslow family here?"

All eyes snapped toward him, the earlier confrontation momentarily forgotten.

Richard's face crumpled with what appeared to be genuine distress, tears welling in his eyes. "Doctor! How's my mother? Please tell me there's improvement!"

Liam remained impassive, observing his brother's performance with detached amusement. Never in thirty-five years had Richard shown such concern for their mother.

The doctor adjusted his glasses, his expression unreadable.

The tension in the room became almost palpable.

Then—

The heart monitor's flatline tone pierced through the hospital corridor like a death knell.