Chapter 9

"Olivia!" Natalie's voice shook with barely contained fury at Evelyn's outrageous demand, her body tensed like a coiled spring. Yet Olivia didn't hesitate. She lowered herself to her knees, her face an impassive mask.

To Olivia, being beneath Evelyn when it came to Liam was an accepted reality. Any humiliation was worth enduring if it pleased Evelyn.

Liam stood motionless, his expression unreadable. The actions of others meant nothing to him.

Broken glass littered the floor around them. As Olivia's knees made contact, sharp pain lanced through her. Her body swayed slightly from the impact, yet she showed no outward sign of discomfort.

Looking up at Evelyn from her position on the floor, Olivia's face remained composed - no fear, no distress, just quiet resignation.

Evelyn, however, wasn't satisfied. "You-" she began, clearly intending to demand further degradation, when a man's voice, thick with restrained anger, cut through the tension. "Enough!"

Liam rose abruptly and strode toward Olivia.

"Liam!" Evelyn's voice cracked with panic as she grabbed at his sleeve.

Ignoring Evelyn completely, Liam bent down and scooped Olivia into his arms instead.

The room fell into stunned silence. No one had anticipated this turn of events. They watched, mouths agape, as Liam carried Olivia out, kicking the chamber door open with such force it nearly came off its hinges.

Natalie was the first to recover. She shot Evelyn a triumphant look. "See your place now? No matter what you do, Liam's heart belongs to his wife!"

Natalie's earlier anger had transformed into smug satisfaction.

Enraged, Evelyn snatched a bottle from the table and hurled it to the floor. "Get out! All of you!"

With Olivia cradled in his arms, Liam swiftly exited the bar. His driver was already waiting outside.

Upon returning to the villa, Olivia waved her hands dismissively and entered on her own. Her thick pants had protected her knees from the glass shards. She gestured to Liam, silently asking if he was alright and if he wanted some soup to sober up.

Liam remained silent, his gaze heavy with unspoken thoughts.

Olivia was confused. Liam's tolerance for alcohol was legendary, and he didn't appear intoxicated. Gathering her courage, she gestured to ask if he could go easy on Natalie.

Despite Natalie's fiery temper and tendency to hold grudges, she had always been kind to Olivia, who wanted to repay that kindness.

With resignation, Olivia added that she'd be willing to quit working at the bookstore if it meant Liam wouldn't retaliate against Natalie.

Liam's face twitched, but he stayed silent.

Olivia's anxiety spiked. Was Liam contemplating punishing Natalie because of Evelyn? The thought was unbearable. She couldn't live with herself if anything happened to Natalie because of her!

Olivia reached out and gently tugged at Liam's sleeve, her heart lifting when he didn't pull away. With tremendous effort, she managed to whisper, "Liam-" It was the only word she could produce, her damaged vocal cords making speech difficult.

At the sound of her voice, the ice in Liam's eyes seemed to melt. They had shared a joyful childhood, her presence always comforting him during difficult times, always there when he needed her most.

"Okay, for you, I'll forgive her."

Olivia's relief was palpable at Liam's promise. He was a man of his word. Once he committed to something, he never went back on it.

A radiant smile lit up Olivia's face, her eyes sparkling with emotion, and she couldn't resist pulling Liam into a tight embrace.

It had been so long since Olivia had addressed Liam in that tone.

Back in their school days, Liam had been incredibly popular, the object of countless girls' affections.

When they discovered Liam's closeness to Olivia, their jealousy turned cruel. They filled Olivia's desk with dead insects, threw her belongings in the trash, and locked her in bathrooms.

Olivia endured the bullying silently, too afraid to complain lest the Blackwoods consider her a nuisance. To ease the situation, she reluctantly kept her distance from Liam.

Now, as Liam's hand rested comfortingly on Olivia's back, he too remembered those times. Tenderly, he lifted her chin, gazing into her eyes before lowering his lips to hers, capturing her soft pink lips in a gentle kiss...