Chapter 415

Olivia's emotions twisted into knots. She couldn't find a single logical reason to refuse Liam. Then little Isabelle tugged at her sleeve with pleading eyes. "Mommy, he's so pitiful. If you don't let him stay, he'll have to sleep outside in the cold. He won't have a proper bed or warm meals."

Olivia shot Liam an exasperated look. "Do you really think manipulating a child is the right way to get what you want?"

Liam shook his head firmly. "I'm not lying. This is my reality. I can't leave Eldermere right now. If I'm not on the streets, where else would I go? We're not in Valtierra anymore. Things are complicated here. If I reveal my identity now, Victor will stop at nothing to destroy me."

Olivia arched a skeptical brow. "Seriously? With all your resources, you're afraid of Victor?"

A frustrated sigh escaped Liam's lips. "It's not him I'm worried about. It's the power behind him."

Olivia's mind raced as she recalled whispers about Victor's shadowy benefactor—a figure notorious for pulling strings from the darkness. Despite years of effort, Victor had never managed to break free from this puppet master.

The room fell into heavy silence, tension thickening the air.

Oliver couldn't contain himself any longer. "Mr. Blackwood, we should leave! Can't you see they don't want us here? You risked everything for this woman's daughter, and now she doubts your motives. Why stay? She's made her ingratitude clear."

Liam's gaze turned glacial. "Oliver, I've tolerated your behavior because of your youth. But this is your final warning. Speak like that again, and I'll have no choice but to send you away."

Oliver's face crumpled. "Mr. Blackwood, what about your promise—"

"Enough!" Liam stood abruptly, fury radiating from him. "Yes, I made promises. But you've tested my patience repeatedly. Why should I continue to indulge you?"

Olivia watched the exchange with growing confusion. Why was Oliver so hostile toward her? Had she somehow provoked him? In the past, she might have cared. Now, others' opinions meant nothing.

"You can stay," Olivia declared coolly. "But don't disrupt my life or Isabelle's." Her tone left no room for negotiation.

A flicker of pain crossed Liam's eyes before vanishing. "Understood," he murmured.

Just then, Olivia's phone buzzed. It was a message from Beatrice, who'd gotten her number during their last encounter.

The text read: Olivia, are you free? We need to talk.

Olivia frowned. Was this about what happened with Victoria? Yet everything she'd heard about Beatrice suggested this wasn't her style.

When no immediate reply came, Beatrice sent another message: Please don't be alarmed. I'm not here to cause trouble. I know what happened between you and Victoria. I've asked her to leave my home. But I owe you a personal apology.

Olivia was stunned. Beatrice had actually kicked Victoria out? Despite her strict upbringing, Victoria's jealousy had spiraled out of control.

A sigh escaped Olivia's lips. She felt no sympathy for Victoria, but her heart ached for Beatrice. Rumor had it Beatrice had raised Victoria alone since her husband's tragic death years ago.

Despite the toll of balancing career and single parenthood on her health, Beatrice had paved a golden path for Victoria—selecting a suitable fiancé Victoria actually liked, hoping for her happiness. Yet everything had unraveled so spectacularly.