Chapter 485

Olivia was rendered speechless, her words dying in her throat. A deep flush of humiliation crept up her cheeks as she felt the weight of thousands of judgmental eyes watching through her live stream. Her fingers trembled uncontrollably as she fumbled to end the broadcast.

Outside the private room, Olivia stood frozen as Liam and Natalie disappeared behind the ornate doors. The whispers and mocking laughter of the crowd cut through her like knives. But the online comments were far worse - a torrent of vicious remarks and curses flooded her screen.

For the first time in her carefully constructed life, Olivia Sinclair faced complete public humiliation.

Inside the private room, Natalie yanked her hand from Liam's grasp. Her expression turned to ice as she took a seat, arms crossed defensively across her chest.

Liam took two cautious steps forward but kept his distance. "Are you still upset? I never meant for you to face that alone. I didn't want you to get hurt."

Natalie's lips curled into a bitter smile. "Hurt? I can handle myself perfectly well, with or without your dramatic entrance. I don't want to do business with you. Please leave."

Panic flashed across Liam's striking features. "Why? My offer is completely genuine. There are no hidden motives here."

Natalie's piercing gaze remained glacial, her chest rising slightly with suppressed emotion.

"Sinclair Enterprises is a multi-billion dollar corporation. You could get anything you want through normal channels. Why this ridiculous charade? Did you think this was funny? Or did you imagine you were doing me some grand favor?"

Her voice grew sharper with each word. "First you create problems, then you swoop in as the savior? Is this some twisted test of yours? Do you get some perverse pleasure from watching me struggle?"

Liam's handsome face contorted with distress as he removed his mask in one swift motion. "That's not it at all. My only intention was to eventually hand Sinclair Enterprises over to you. But the company has serious underlying issues. Back then, I worried you'd recognize me before you fully understood the company's problems."

His voice dropped to an urgent whisper. "I thought if you solved these challenges yourself, the board would respect you more. I never anticipated you'd uncover my identity so quickly." He ran a hand through his dark hair in frustration. "I'm desperate, Natalie. You kept avoiding me, so I panicked and came up with this stupid plan."

Natalie pressed her lips into a thin line, the tension between them palpable. Despite her anger, she couldn't ignore the pang of discomfort seeing his distressed expression. With finality, she pointed to the door. "This deal is off. Leave now."

The light in Liam's eyes dimmed as he recognized her genuine fury. Without argument, he turned toward the exit.

Just as his hand touched the doorknob, Natalie's voice stopped him cold. "Are you free tonight? Isabelle hasn't seen you in weeks. She keeps asking about you."

A slow, genuine smile spread across Liam's face - a rare sight for anyone outside his inner circle. "I'll wait downstairs. We can go together."

Natalie shook her head, still refusing to meet his gaze. "No, I have other arrangements."

Liam hesitated, remembering the whispered conversation he'd overheard earlier. Though he suspected she was planning something, he bit back his questions and exited quietly.