Chapter 5

The luxury hotel stretched endlessly before them, a glittering maze where Olivia and Natalie were merely delivering magazines. Olivia headed toward the East Wing while Natalie disappeared into the West Wing.

Pushing a cart overflowing with glossy publications, Olivia searched for the service elevator when a venomous voice sliced through the air behind her.

"Pathetic. Resorting to magazine deliveries just to stalk Liam? I could've simply given you a room key if you're this desperate."

Olivia froze mid-step before slowly turning to face Evelyn, whose smug expression shattered the demure mask she wore around Liam.

A subtle tension tightened Olivia's features as she gestured for Evelyn to move aside.

But Evelyn wasn't finished. Her voice turned razor-sharp. "Did you follow him here hoping to catch us together? Maybe burst in at the perfect moment?" The words dripped with cruel amusement.

Olivia's hands flew in denial, but Evelyn cut her off with a sneer. "Or were you hoping to witness something more... intimate? Wake up, darling. Know your place."

Olivia's response came swift and sharp through sign language - it was Evelyn who needed reminding of her place, since Liam would never love this vicious version of her.

Though Olivia had never felt inferior because of her muteness - except around Liam - she hated how it silenced her against Evelyn's cruelty.

Evelyn's smirk widened. "I don't speak hand puppetry. Let me enlighten you. You think you deserve to be his wife? To Liam, you're nothing but a well-trained pet."

Olivia's eyes flashed. She struggled to form words through damaged vocal cords. "Lies!"

"Don't strain yourself," Evelyn mocked. "Why waste breath explaining when you could just whimper like the dog you are?"

A pause, then Evelyn's voice turned saccharine. "Oh wait - you can't even do that properly. Why don't you crawl on all fours to complete the picture?"

Evelyn's gaze burned with contempt.

Suddenly, fingers tangled viciously in Evelyn's hair. "You shameless homewrecker! How dare you torment Liam's wife? Can't you tell disgrace from decency, you viper?"

The grip nearly scalped Evelyn, her scream piercing the hallway as she flailed against her attacker.

Natalie moved like lightning, catching Evelyn's swinging arm and delivering a stinging slap across her face.

"You dare strike back? Who do you think you're dealing with?" Natalie's voice could have frozen hell.

Stumbling in her designer heels, Evelyn crashed backward from the force, landing at Olivia's feet.

Then - like flipping a switch - Evelyn's expression melted into pitiful terror. She clutched at Olivia's legs. "Please! I didn't mean any harm! Liam and I have history since childhood - I never wanted to come between you! Don't hurt me!"

Olivia stood paralyzed, shocked by Evelyn's sudden transformation.

A cold voice shattered the moment. "Olivia. Explain your presence here."

Evelyn turned tear-filled eyes toward the voice. "Liam, don't blame her! This is all my fault! Whatever she does to me, I deserve it—"

Natalie scoffed loudly. "Don't flatter yourself. I'm the one who slapped this snake. Olivia didn't lay a finger on her."

Liam helped Evelyn up, his expression unreadable as his icy gaze locked onto Olivia. "I expected better from you."