Chapter 67

Olivia signed both copies of the divorce agreement with steady hands. She sealed them in a sleek document folder and arranged for same-day delivery to Liam's office.

Her personal belongings barely filled a small carry-on. Despite her privileged life at the Blackwood estate, Olivia refused to take anything Liam had given her. Not a single designer dress or piece of jewelry.

Only her essentials and a few childhood treasures made the cut - a faded photograph, her mother's pearl earrings, and a worn copy of her favorite novel. Everything fit neatly into one bag.

Descending the grand staircase, Olivia heard Margaret's shrill voice before seeing her. "Finally decided to show yourself?" Margaret snapped, having already ordered the butler to confiscate Olivia's room keys.

The older woman rushed forward, blocking Olivia's path. "What? The little mute can't even acknowledge me now? Have you completely lost your senses?"

This time, Olivia met Margaret's glare head-on - a stark contrast to her usual submissive demeanor.

Dressed in a tailored black pantsuit with heels that added inches to her frame, Olivia now stood taller than her mother-in-law. Light makeup accentuated her striking features, giving her an air of quiet authority that made Margaret falter.

Margaret's mouth gaped. Was this really the same girl who'd silently endured her abuse for years? The one who'd scrubbed floors on her knees without complaint?

Without breaking eye contact, Olivia raised her hand. With an elegant flick of her wrist, she made a dismissive gesture that needed no translation.

"How dare—" Margaret sputtered, clutching her chest as Olivia strode past. Regaining her voice, she scurried after her. "You ungrateful little—"

Olivia stopped abruptly at the front door. Margaret nearly collided with her back, halting mid-tirade.

Pulling out her phone, Olivia typed rapidly. The mechanical voice announced: "Take up the divorce with your son. If he agrees, I'll leave the Blackwood name behind today."

Margaret's face purpled with rage but she had no retort.

Outside, Olivia handed the documents to the waiting courier. A sleek black Mercedes idled at the curb. Isabella waved from the driver's seat - she'd insisted on accompanying Olivia to the airport.

Whitmore Holdings had expedited all arrangements for Olivia's business trip to Newport after learning of her participation in their new campaign.

"We've got VIP clearance," Isabella said as they pulled away. "We'll bypass security and go straight to the gate. Our flight boards in forty minutes."

Watching the Blackwood mansion shrink in the rearview mirror, Olivia exhaled deeply. For the first time in years, she felt light. Free.

After the streamlined security process, Olivia settled into her first-class seat. She tapped Isabella's arm, gesturing to her phone.

Though the divorce papers had been delivered to Blackwood Enterprises, Olivia knew they might sit at reception unless Liam was notified. The front desk wouldn't automatically forward personal correspondence.

Isabella's eyes sparkled with understanding. "Say no more," she grinned, already dialing.

Olivia's tumultuous marriage was hardly secret. In elite circles, everyone knew about Liam Blackwood's "hidden wife" - the childhood sweetheart he'd wed then ignored, while his very public affair with Evelyn Hartley played out in tabloids.

Sebastian answered on the second ring. "Mr. Blackwood's office."

"This is Isabella Rossi, Olivia Sinclair's assistant," she announced crisply. "The divorce documents have arrived at your headquarters. See that Mr. Blackwood signs them immediately." She hung up before Sebastian could respond.

At Blackwood Enterprises, Sebastian froze outside the conference room. As one of the few who knew Olivia's true status, he'd never expected this call.

He dispatched an intern to retrieve the envelope. The thick packet felt heavy in his hands. How to present this bombshell during a board meeting?

Inside, the mood was celebratory. Blackwood Enterprises had just weathered a damaging PR storm, and executives were dissecting the source of the leak.

"Mr. Blackwood," ventured one VP, "aside from family, who knew about your medical appointments?"

"We wouldn't have known you'd collapsed if not for the news reports!"

"Only Sebastian knew. He arranged the airlift to Mercy Hospital."

The unspoken accusation hung in the air. Eyes darted toward Sebastian, who stood paralyzed by the door.

"She wouldn't do that." Liam's voice cut through the murmurs like ice.

At that moment, Sebastian approached. "Sir," he whispered, "your wife sent this."

Liam's brow furrowed as he opened the folder. Seeing "Divorce Agreement" in bold letters, he let out a humorless laugh. "Where is she?"

His call went straight to voicemail. Olivia's phone was off.

Sebastian checked the tracking. "She's airborne, sir. Flight 227 to Newport. Just took off twelve minutes ago."

Liam's face darkened. "Contact air traffic control. Turn that plane around."