Chapter 64

"Who the hell is this madman?" Marcus gasped, his eyes widening in shock as he stared at Margaret.

Before Olivia could respond, Marcus's expression shifted to one of regret. "Oh, I apologize. You're the patient, aren't you? I shouldn't have said that."

"Shut your mouth!" Margaret's rage was electric, her body coiled like a spring ready to snap.

Olivia quickly stepped between them, flashing Marcus a silent warning—this was her mother-in-law.

"Ah, I see. That must be... challenging," Marcus murmured sympathetically, which only fanned Margaret's fury higher.

"Get out of my house!" Margaret's voice cracked like a whip through the room.

"At your age, you really should watch your temper. High blood pressure isn't a joke," Marcus said calmly. "I'm just here as Olivia's colleague, dropping off some work files. What's got you so riled up? Paranoid much?"

Margaret wasn't listening. She seized Olivia's wrist, her grip like iron. "Caught you red-handed this time, didn't I? You slipped away before, but I'm calling Liam back now! Let's see how you talk your way out of this!"

Olivia twisted her arm, trying to break free, her stomach sinking.

Margaret could play the perfect society matron in public, but behind closed doors, Olivia bore the brunt of her venom.

She had always been Margaret's emotional punching bag.

"Of course you won't divorce—too busy spending Liam's money while keeping a boy toy on the side!" Margaret spat, glaring at Marcus, whom she assumed was some gold-digging plaything. Little did she know, Marcus came from old money himself.

Given Marcus's notorious gossip-mongering, the rumor mill would soon churn out tales of Liam Blackwood's unhinged mother.

The thought lifted a weight off Olivia's chest. She had already decided to divorce Liam. Now, she felt vindicated.

With a sharp jerk, Olivia wrenched her arm free.

Margaret stumbled back, collapsing onto the sofa with a thud.

"You—you hit me!" Margaret gaped at Olivia in disbelief.

Olivia met her gaze with icy detachment. They both knew the truth. So did Marcus and the butler, who had witnessed everything.

Ignoring Margaret's accusations, Olivia turned to Marcus first, thanking him. She admitted she hadn’t checked her phone, missing his messages. Then, hesitating, she gestured—had he known about Liam’s situation before coming?

Marcus, caught but unashamed, shrugged. "Yes."

Olivia blinked. If he’d known all along, he could’ve warned Liam before things escalated. That would’ve earned him Liam’s favor. Telling her had been unnecessary.

The unspoken implication hung in the air—insider information was priceless in their world.

But Marcus didn’t seem to care. "You misunderstood. I’m not that well-connected. Before this blew up, I couldn’t even confirm if the rumors were true."

Olivia exhaled softly. What was done was done. Marcus wasn’t close enough to her or Liam for this to matter.

Unnoticed, Margaret reached her breaking point. She shoved Olivia from behind with all her strength. "Today, you’re going to pay!"

Ever since news of Liam’s illness spread, Margaret’s temper had spiraled. This incident, piled atop her frustrations, unleashed a storm of rage.

Olivia, unprepared, crashed into a cabinet with a sickening crack.

"Olivia!" Marcus shouted, alarmed, as the butler rushed forward—but too late.

Olivia crumpled to the floor, unconscious.

"Open the door!" Marcus barked at the butler, scooping Olivia into his arms. "I’m taking her to Mercy Hospital!"

"Hospital? She’s faking! A slap will wake her up!" Margaret sneered, but no one listened.

The butler flung the door open and frantically dialed Liam’s number. With the house in chaos, he knew he couldn’t handle Margaret alone. After years serving the Blackwoods, he knew only Liam could rein her in.

But the line rang and rang. No answer.

When Olivia opened her eyes, the sterile white ceiling of the hospital greeted her. Natalie’s worried face swam into view. "Olivia, how are you feeling?"

Olivia blinked, disoriented. How had she gotten here?

Glancing down, she saw the IV in her arm. Beside her stood Natalie, Marcus, and Daniel.

"Marcus saw my message on your phone and called me," Natalie explained. "He told me you’d fainted."

Marcus added, "You were out cold, so I used your fingerprint to unlock your phone. Didn’t snoop—just made the call."

Olivia nodded her thanks. Right now, that was the least of her concerns.

Natalie pressed, "How do you feel now?"

Olivia took stock. Aside from a dull ache from the impact, she was fine. She sat up, gesturing that she was okay and thanking everyone.

"Thank us? Please. I’m just glad you’re alive. Who knows what that woman would’ve done to you!" Natalie muttered darkly.

"Olivia fainted because of her mother-in-law. Honestly, someone should drag that woman in for a psych eval," Marcus drawled.

Just then, the door creaked open. The doctor entered. "Awake, I see?" He glanced at Olivia. "Family here? There’s something important we need to discuss."

A heavy silence fell over the room.

Natalie’s voice tightened. "Is it... something serious?"

"Not life-threatening," the doctor reassured. "Just a physical condition."

"Then—Daniel, Marcus, step outside," Natalie ordered firmly. "This doesn’t concern you."

The two men nodded and left without protest. The doctor laid a medical report in front of Olivia. "You’re three weeks pregnant. Were you aware?"