Chapter 43

"What? Liam, what are you saying? How could this be?" Evelyn blinked, her voice trembling with shock. Tears welled in her eyes as she struggled to process his accusation. "Liam, I had no idea those men were sent by Victoria. Why would you think I'm involved? How could you suspect me?"

"Isn't your relationship with Victoria supposed to be close? At the club, didn't you two team up against Olivia? Can you honestly deny that?" Natalie interjected sharply, her voice dripping with suspicion.

Natalie, just as confused as she was furious, couldn't comprehend how Liam had pieced everything together so quickly. If Victoria was behind this attack, it was beyond despicable. Victoria had tried to humiliate Olivia before but failed spectacularly at William's birthday gala. Was this payback for that public disgrace?

"Victoria has no reason to target Olivia unless you put her up to it!" Natalie continued, glaring daggers at Evelyn.

Evelyn's eyes darted between Liam and Natalie. "She embarrassed herself at the gala! And we're not even that close! It's all just for appearances. I was teasing Olivia that day at the club, but I didn't mean any real harm!" Evelyn protested, her voice shaking as she looked pleadingly at Liam, avoiding Natalie's piercing gaze.

Liam studied Evelyn for a long moment before turning his attention to Olivia. "What do you think?"

Olivia shook her head, indicating she didn't believe Evelyn had been involved. Even if Evelyn had played innocent, Olivia knew voicing her doubts wouldn't change Liam's mind. If he truly suspected Evelyn, he would act. But it seemed Liam was merely looking for a way to close the matter without further complications. Evelyn would likely walk away unscathed. Meanwhile, Natalie's bookstore lay in ruins, with no one stepping forward to take responsibility for the damage.

"Forget it, as long as you're okay," Natalie sighed, rolling her eyes at Evelyn before moving closer to Olivia. "Let's get you to Mercy Hospital for a full check-up. You need X-rays to make sure your lungs weren't damaged."

"Yes, we should do that," Evelyn added, though her words lacked any real concern.

"I'll drive you," Liam said, ignoring Olivia's attempts to protest as he effortlessly scooped her up and carried her to his car.

Evelyn stood frozen in disbelief, watching helplessly as Liam left her behind once again, this time to tend to Olivia. The bitter scene left her feeling utterly abandoned.

Moments later, Daniel arrived, breathless and wide-eyed as he took in the bookstore's destruction. "What happened here? Natalie, are you alright?" he asked, rushing to his sister's side. But when he saw Liam holding Olivia, his expression darkened, and he hurried toward them.

Liam cut him off with an icy stare. "Go deal with your sister's enemies and find out who torched her store!" he commanded, leaving Daniel to handle the investigation while he took Olivia to the hospital.

After a thorough examination, doctors confirmed Olivia had no serious injuries. By the time they returned home, midnight had fallen.

Troubled by the day's events, Olivia gestured to Liam, asking if there'd been any updates on the attackers.

"They're being interrogated. It appears connected to Victoria," Liam replied tersely, his attention fixed on his phone, his voice devoid of emotion.

A wave of guilt crashed over Olivia. Once again, her presence had brought disaster to Natalie.

"You shouldn't visit Natalie anymore," Liam suddenly declared. "It's too dangerous."

Olivia's eyes widened. She gestured emphatically, making it clear Natalie wasn't to blame. The trouble was entirely her own fault.

"Natalie can't protect you," Liam added coldly. "She's useless."

Tears welled in Olivia's eyes. Was that all Liam saw in people - their usefulness? Natalie had nearly been hurt because of her, her livelihood destroyed. Yet Liam dismissed her dearest friend as worthless.

For the first time, Olivia pushed back. Her hands moved with unprecedented intensity, signing angrily. She made it clear Liam had no right to dictate her friendships, and she blamed herself for the mess, not Natalie. She didn't need protection from her friend - she needed to fix the problems she'd caused.

After expressing her fury, Olivia turned away and stormed upstairs, slamming her bedroom door behind her. Leaning against the door, exhausted thoughts swirled through her mind. She half-expected Liam to follow, to force the door open in anger.

But the mansion remained eerily silent.

Sliding down to the floor, Olivia felt completely drained.