Chapter 60

"Oh my God! She just poured juice all over my new dress!" Margaret Winslow shrieked, her face twisting in outrage.

"I'm so terribly sorry! Please let me make this right. I'll pay for the dry cleaning—whatever you need!" Penelope Adler stammered, bowing repeatedly with her hands clasped together in supplication.

Margaret continued berating Penelope for several more minutes before finally dismissing her with a dismissive wave.

Olivia Sinclair observed the scene from across the boutique, her sharp eyes noting the suspicious timing. Evelyn Hartley appeared almost magically, conveniently acquainted with the clumsy woman who'd "accidentally" bumped into Margaret. In a mall this size, the odds of such a perfect collision seemed astronomically low. The whole scenario reeked of careful staging.

"Mrs. Winslow, what a pleasure to see you again. I'm Evelyn Hartley—perhaps you remember me?" Evelyn approached with calculated grace, her voice dripping with honeyed respect.

"Ah yes... I recall you from when you were younger—" Margaret hesitated, studying Evelyn's carefully constructed expression.

Everyone in their social circles knew Evelyn's reputation as Liam Blackwood's shameless mistress. As Liam's mother, Margaret was painfully aware of the rumors.

Margaret had always despised the idea of her son being with someone like Evelyn. She'd much prefer Liam leave his current wife Olivia for a woman of proper breeding and status. Yet today, face-to-face, Evelyn was making an unexpectedly favorable impression.

"You remember me? That's absolutely wonderful! Since fate has brought us together, why don't we have lunch? My treat!" Evelyn practically vibrated with excitement upon realizing Margaret recognized her. She linked arms with the older woman possessively.

"Why don't you join us for dinner at the estate instead? You've been so helpful dealing with that dreadful woman," Margaret suggested, shooting Olivia a venomous glare across the store.

Despite Evelyn's tainted reputation and inferior family background, Margaret found her infinitely preferable to Olivia.

"Dinner at Blackwood Manor? I'd be honored!" Evelyn's voice trilled with girlish delight.

"First let's get you out of those stained clothes. Come, darling, I'll help you change," Evelyn purred, smoothly edging Catherine Winslow aside as she guided Margaret toward the dressing rooms.

With no reason to remain, Olivia texted Theodore to pick her up. By the time her driver arrived, Margaret's entourage had already departed.

When Olivia finally returned home, she found Margaret, Catherine, and Evelyn already ensconced in the grand parlor—with Liam having returned early as well.

Evelyn clung to Margaret's arm, their laughter ringing through the opulent room. Liam, usually so stern, lounged in his favorite armchair looking uncharacteristically at ease.

The scene twisted something in Olivia's chest. They looked like a perfect family unit. She should have realized sooner—Liam's obvious affection for Evelyn, Margaret's blatant preference. Soon Evelyn would give Liam the heir he deserved, completing their happy picture.

"Dinner is served," announced Winston, the butler. Margaret rose with Evelyn still attached to her arm, completely ignoring both Catherine and Olivia.

As Olivia moved toward the staircase, Liam suddenly blocked her path. "Aren't you joining us for dinner?" His deep voice held an unfamiliar note of concern.

Olivia hesitated. At his words, both Evelyn and Margaret turned to stare, their conversation abruptly halted.

"Olivia darling, do come eat with us," Evelyn called sweetly, sounding for all the world like the lady of the house.

"Why bother? She's a grown woman—if she's hungry, she'll feed herself," Margaret sniffed, her disdain palpable.

Feeling more like an unwanted guest than the mistress of Blackwood Manor, Olivia shook her head at Liam, indicating she had no appetite. She needed time alone to think.

As Olivia ascended the grand staircase, she heard no footsteps following. Reaching her bedroom, she closed the heavy oak door, muffling Margaret's booming laughter. Slumping against the door, silent tears finally escaped.

Henry Winslow had urged Olivia to make her marriage work before his passing, but surely even he couldn't have foreseen this. What would he advise now? To keep suffering in silence? Or to finally let go?

Drawing a shuddering breath, Olivia made her decision. Henry had always taught her never to tolerate unhappiness or cling to what wasn't meant to be hers.

After five years of marriage without earning Liam's affection, Olivia refused to remain a burden any longer. She couldn't continue living this half-life of quiet desperation.

Pulling out her phone, Olivia typed a message to Alexander Hayes: "I'm ready to start as Whitmore Holdings' consultant immediately. But I need to ask you a rather large favor..."

Alexander replied almost instantly: "Fantastic news! Grandfather will be thrilled. Name it—anything you need."

"Would it be possible to receive a two-year salary advance? Twenty million. I find myself in urgent need of liquidity..." Olivia's fingers hovered over the screen as she struggled to explain her situation. In her hesitation, she accidentally sent the incomplete message.

While Natalie Bennett had offered to loan her ten million, Olivia knew that would require pulling resources from multiple places. The Hayes family had far deeper pockets, and if Alexander agreed, she preferred handling this discreetly.

But twenty million was no small sum. William Hayes had already been generous offering a one-year advance. Olivia feared she might be overstepping. Aware of the risk—that she might not fulfill her contract and be unable to repay—she quickly added: "I'll sign any contract you require. You have my word."

Before she could send the second message, Alexander's reply appeared: "Consider it done. Just send me your account details—I'll have the transfer processed immediately."