Chapter 8

Olivia's breath caught in her throat. Twenty million dollars. The staggering sum made her knees weak - more than she could possibly earn in three lifetimes. Liam was weaponizing this impossible debt to trap her in their crumbling marriage.

Noticing Olivia's hesitation, Liam let out a derisive chuckle. He opened his mouth to deliver another cutting remark when he saw her jaw tighten with sudden determination.

With trembling fingers, Olivia reached for the pen, signing her name before gesturing if she could pay in installments given the astronomical amount.

Liam's laughter turned venomous. "Installments? How many centuries would that take? Do you honestly believe your pathetic little bookshop could ever generate that kind of money?"

He turned sharply toward the door, but Olivia darted forward, blocking his path with desperate hands. Her frantic signing offered to step aside so he could marry Evelyn, believing this was what he truly wanted.

Liam froze, his expression darkening like gathering storm clouds.

Under his withering glare, Olivia shrank back, her slender frame trembling visibly.

"Twenty million. Not a cent less. Only then will I even consider discussing divorce." With violent precision, Liam shredded the documents. The sound of the slamming door echoed through the suddenly too-empty penthouse.

Olivia collapsed onto the sofa, silent tears tracing paths down her cheeks. This wasn't the Liam she once knew. Had she made a terrible mistake all those years ago? If only she'd chosen differently...

That night, the penthouse felt cavernous in its silence. Certain Liam wouldn't return, Olivia was startled when her phone buzzed at 1:17 AM. An unknown number flashed on the screen.

"Olivia Sinclair?" The male voice sounded urgent through the static.

Still groggy, Olivia managed a soft noise of acknowledgment. The caller seemed to understand her difficulty speaking and rapidly rattled off an address.

"Liam's completely wasted. Someone needs to come get him!" The line went dead before she could respond.

Heart pounding, Olivia threw on clothes, her mind racing with questions. Why would Liam's friends call her instead of Evelyn? In all their years together, she'd barely met any of his inner circle.

The taxi dropped her outside an exclusive club called Midnight. The bouncers waved her through when she showed them the text message.

Pushing open the private room's door, Olivia froze. The scene before her looked like the aftermath of a hurricane - shattered glass littering the floor, overturned furniture, and the acrid smell of spilled liquor.

Liam lounged on a leather couch, his expression thunderous despite the empty bottles surrounding him. Evelyn sat beside him, her perfect features arranged in a picture of wounded dignity.

Across from them stood Natalie, gripping a broken bottle like a weapon, while her brother Daniel positioned himself protectively in front of her. The tension in the room was so thick Olivia could almost taste it.

Without thinking, Olivia rushed forward and grabbed Natalie's wrist, her eyes wide with alarm.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Liam's voice cut through the chaos like a whip, making Olivia flinch.

Her stomach dropped. Liam wasn't nearly as drunk as the caller had claimed, and clearly didn't need her assistance.

"Olivia, don't. If groveling will satisfy Mr. Blackwood and his mistress, I'll do whatever it takes," Natalie spat, trying to shake Olivia off and raise the broken glass again.

Olivia caught her friend's arm more firmly this time, demanding answers with urgent gestures.

"It's nothing. I just couldn't stomach watching that gold-digger paw at Liam anymore, so I slapped her," Natalie said with defiant pride.

"You think assault is justified?" one of Liam's associates challenged, just as Evelyn began weeping dramatically into her hands.

"Enough! We all know Evelyn is Mr. Blackwood's favorite plaything. Why bother pretending otherwise?" Daniel interjected with biting sarcasm.

He pried the broken bottle from Natalie's grip. "Mr. Blackwood, my sister's had too much to drink. Let me handle this."

Olivia's gaze fell on the table - an array of exotic, high-proof liquors glinting under the dim lights.

"You'll kill yourself drinking all that! This is my fault anyway. I'll take responsibility for hitting her," Natalie whispered to Daniel, reaching for the bottle again.

Understanding dawned on Olivia. Natalie had struck Evelyn defending her honor. Now, with Liam furious, it fell to Olivia to bear the consequences.

The room fell silent as Olivia stepped forward and bowed deeply to Evelyn. Then she began signing her apology with graceful, practiced motions.

"What's with the hand signals? I don't understand that nonsense!" Evelyn sneered. "If you want to apologize for your rabid friend, use your words like a normal person!"

"You bitch—" Natalie started forward, but Olivia held her back.

Without hesitation, Olivia slapped herself hard across the face. She looked at Evelyn questioningly, silently asking if this satisfied her.

"That's it?" Evelyn scoffed. "Where's the sincerity? If you truly want to apologize, get on your knees!"