Chapter 404

Victor Blackwood fell silent on the other end of the line. After a tense pause, his voice dripped with sarcasm. "Let's see who the public will believe - me or you. Considering your long list of misdeeds..."

Richard Winslow's face turned ashen. His knees buckled as he collapsed onto the cold marble floor. This was the end. If only he'd known helping Victor destroy Liam would lead to this. Now Victor held all the power in the Blackwood family. No one dared oppose him anymore.

Richard's hands trembled with rage. As the legitimate heir of the Blackwood dynasty, why wasn't he inheriting what was rightfully his? The injustice burned through him like acid.

Liam observed Richard's breakdown with icy detachment. While satisfying, this wasn't enough. With Richard eliminated, who would remain to keep Victor in check?

Clearing his throat, Liam spoke into the phone. "Mr. Blackwood, I must advise against this. Yes, Richard has made mistakes, but he remains your elder brother. Do you want the world whispering about how you seized his position and now seek to banish him completely? Let's not forget - you were never meant to inherit anything. Without coercing Richard to relinquish his rights, you wouldn't even be permitted inside the Blackwood estate."

Victor's furious roar vibrated through the receiver. "Who the hell do you think you are? Shut your mouth!"

"Verify my claims if you dare take the risk," Liam countered smoothly.

For a fleeting moment, Victor wondered if Mr. Black could actually be Liam. But he dismissed the absurd thought immediately. Liam was dead. This couldn't possibly be him.

Rubbing his throbbing temples, Victor demanded, "How do you know so much about the Blackwoods?"

"There's nothing I don't know," Liam replied with a knowing smile. "Mr. Blackwood, you've only glimpsed my capabilities. Shall we test them? All I require is a sincere apology from your family. Fail to deliver, and I'll handle matters... differently."

Victor crumbled. He barked orders to retrieve Richard before adopting an ingratiating tone. "Mr. Black, name your price. We'll move heaven and earth to accommodate you. Rest assured, no one in Crestwood will trouble your goddaughter again."

Liam's chuckle carried through the line. "No need for haste. We'll discuss compensation when she's older. Oh, my memory fails me - I nearly forgot the Blackwood family's declining fortunes. Let's hope Crestwood still recognizes your name by then."

"Your concern is touching," Victor spat through clenched teeth before slamming the phone against the wall. "Useless Richard! Nothing but trouble!"

Before departing with Isabelle, Liam ensured Richard's family paid their dues. He made them kneel in humiliating formation at the entrance, bowing to every passerby. After enduring this public degradation for an entire day, their reputations lay in tatters. Richard's son was permanently expelled from the prestigious kindergarten.

By the time Olivia Sinclair arrived, the spectacle had concluded. Isabelle nestled contentedly in Liam's arms, giggling as she played with his mask.

Olivia's eyes widened with surprise and a flicker of envy. "You two became close rather quickly."