Chapter 68

The command left Liam's lips like a whip crack. Sebastian Montgomery sprang into action immediately. With Blackwood Enterprises' vast influence in the city, grounding a flight or removing a passenger should have been child's play.

But fate had other plans. Olivia's plane had already taken off.

Forcing an airborne aircraft to turn back required serious justification - mechanical failure or medical emergency - none of which applied here. Liam's expression darkened like a gathering storm, fury simmering in his piercing gaze. Olivia had always kept him informed of her movements, yet this time she'd slipped away to Halstead without warning, serving him divorce papers at the last possible moment.

"Contact our Halstead team," Liam ordered through clenched teeth. "Have them stationed at arrivals. The moment Olivia steps off that plane, detain her. I want her brought back to me immediately!"

Meanwhile, thirty thousand feet in the air, Olivia managed to catch some restless sleep. She only stirred when Isabella Rossi gently shook her shoulder as they began their descent.

Straightening her blouse, Olivia reviewed her packed schedule. A screen test awaited them immediately after landing, followed by intensive preparations for the upcoming shoot.

"Thank heavens Mr. Whitmore booked us first class," Isabella remarked, stretching her arms. "We'll be able to clear customs quickly."

No sooner had they stepped into the arrivals hall than a dozen imposing men materialized around them, dressed as ordinary travelers but moving with military precision. Their leader held up a photo for verification before addressing Olivia with polite firmness.

"Mrs. Blackwood," he said, "Mr. Blackwood insists on your immediate return. Please don't make this difficult."

Olivia's stomach dropped. She'd anticipated Liam's resistance, but not this swift response. Despite his apparent interest in ending their marriage for Evelyn Hartley, he seemed determined to drag her through the wreckage of their five-year union.

She shook her head defiantly, signing with sharp, emphatic gestures that she wouldn't be going anywhere. Her chin lifted in silent challenge as curious travelers began to slow their steps, sensing drama.

The leader's expression hardened. "I don't know what's between you and Mr. Blackwood, but we have our orders—"

Isabella cut in, her voice rising with theatrical outrage. "We have professional commitments! And what you're doing borders on kidnapping! Think carefully before crossing that line!"

When the men hesitated, Isabella played her trump card. She threw her arms wide and shrieked, "Help! They're trying to traffic us!"

"Quiet!" the leader hissed, panic flashing across his face as airport security turned their way. "Miss, if you don't want to come, fine, but this hysterics will land us all in handcuffs!"

Isabella bared her teeth in a feral grin. "Get lost!"

In the ensuing confusion, they bolted for the exit where their prearranged transport waited. The car sped toward Halstead University's renowned film studio, a favorite location for the cinema department's projects.

"This is Olivia Sinclair," Isabella announced as they entered the soundstage. "She communicates through sign language due to a vocal condition. I'll be interpreting for her."

The director, a recent Halstead graduate, shook Olivia's hand warmly. "Understood. We're shooting an alumni promotional piece today."

Olivia offered a professional smile, her attention already shifting to the task at hand.

Isabella translated Olivia's quick signs. "What's the shooting plan? What do you need from her?"

To everyone's surprise, Olivia displayed remarkable comfort before the cameras, her nerves nowhere in sight.

"We'll need various angles - close-ups of the restoration work, wider shots showing technique," the director explained. "When you're on camera, amplify your movements slightly for clarity."

A woman with cascading curls stepped forward unexpectedly. "Let me demonstrate proper framing," she offered with a saccharine smile. "I'm studying method acting."

Olivia nodded politely, though her sharp eyes caught the whispered exchange between the actress and director: "If my takes are stronger, can I replace her? Wouldn't that make more sense?"

"What's this about?" Isabella demanded, stepping between them like a protective lioness. "Olivia is the featured talent for this project."

The actress batted her lashes. "But as a current student, wouldn't I better represent the university's standards?"

The air between the women crackled with unspoken challenge as the crew held their collective breath.