Chapter 53

Olivia's silent glance nearly pushed Evelyn over the edge. Evelyn had always carried herself with an air of superiority around Olivia. Now, her fury was visible, yet she held back, refusing to break down in Liam's presence.

"Have you eaten?" The door swung open suddenly as Ryan entered, wiping his mouth.

Liam gave Ryan a look of mild disgust. "What's with that face? I left breakfast early to check on you. Doesn't that count for something?" Ryan wiped his greasy hands on his white coat. "Time for your tests!"

Olivia frowned, certain Liam had completed all required examinations. Ryan explained, "We need a comprehensive brain scan today to rule out potential complications. Yesterday's tests only eliminated immediate concerns."

The shadow of the hereditary brain condition that had claimed Henry loomed large. Though Liam showed no current symptoms, the future remained uncertain. The thought of illness claiming him made Olivia's heart clench. She tried to push away the dread, clasping her hands in silent prayer.

Liam, unaware of Olivia's quiet plea, stood and followed Ryan. Evelyn caught Olivia's gesture and scoffed, dismissing it as juvenile. "Need a wheelchair?" Ryan joked as they walked down the hallway. "You're outpacing me, and you're the patient!"

"I've got work waiting," Liam replied sharply. "Projects can't wait."

"Typical you," Ryan shot back. "Always pushing too hard. No wonder you collapsed." Liam entered the examination room.

"The detailed scan will take about thirty minutes," Ryan told Olivia. "You can wait somewhere comfortable."

Olivia nodded silently. Restless, she chose to wait just outside, her nervous energy evident as she paced the corridor.

Evelyn joined Olivia, radiating calm arrogance. She sneered. "Stop pretending. Who are you trying to fool?"

Olivia met Evelyn's gaze with icy clarity, her eyes conveying what words couldn't - that Evelyn, merely the mistress, could never understand.

Infuriated by the silent rebuke, Evelyn stepped closer, voice tight. "I should be the worried one! What happens to me if something happens to Liam? You'll still have your fortune regardless."

Olivia pulled out her phone. "Arguing with me? I'm stating facts. Even if Liam wanted to leave you anything, his family would never allow it. As his mistress, you'll always come first. Who's fooling whom?"

Instead of responding, Olivia typed a message and showed Evelyn the screen: "Would you dare say this where Liam could hear? Speculating about his death and inheritance - I'm sure he'd find that fascinating."

Evelyn's expression darkened. "You know nothing! Even if you told him, he wouldn't believe you!"

Olivia smiled slightly and typed another message: "I recorded it."

Those three words ignited Evelyn. She lunged for Olivia's phone, but Olivia clutched it to her chest. "Recorded it? How cruel! What do you gain by turning on me?" Evelyn's accusations hung in the air as the doctor's office door opened.

"What's going on here?" Ryan demanded, frowning at Evelyn. "This is a hospital, not a battleground."

Everyone knew Ryan favored Olivia, so Evelyn expected no sympathy. She retreated slightly, muttering, "Just joking around."

Ryan pointed upward. "Cameras everywhere," he stated, making clear Evelyn's intentions weren't hers to define.

"You—" Evelyn shot Ryan a venomous look.

"Family should wait outside. Anything else you need? This is a restricted area," Ryan added firmly.

Evelyn clenched her teeth, threw Olivia a threatening glare, and stormed off.

Moments later, Liam emerged from the examination room, and Olivia hurried to him. "All clear. No need to worry," Ryan said, holding the report while addressing Olivia.

Olivia exhaled in relief. "Thanks," Liam said, his gaze shifting to Olivia. She blinked in surprise - she hadn't expected gratitude from Liam.

Ryan chuckled. "No need to be formal with your wife." He clapped Liam's shoulder. "You'll be relying on her more now. No skipped meals, no overworking. Mrs. Blackwood, could you start bringing your husband lunch?"

Olivia nodded eagerly. She'd tried before, only to be turned away at Blackwood Enterprises' entrance.

"Bring me lunch?" Liam looked at Olivia, amusement in his voice. "Shouldn't I be bringing you meals?"

Olivia flushed, remembering when Liam had brought her lunch after she'd skipped meals. She glanced at him hesitantly, gesturing whether she could now bring him lunch to the office. Previously, receptionists hadn't even recognized her as his wife. Would that change?

Liam met her gaze but hesitated to respond, his thoughts unreadable. Olivia's heart sank slightly. Perhaps he still preferred Evelyn's care...