Chapter 97

Whispers rippled through the gathered crowd like a sudden breeze.

Olivia felt the sharp sting of sarcasm cutting through her, her fingers curling into tight fists at her sides.

Then, a voice of reason cut through the tension. "Enough. We shouldn't judge someone by their disabilities. She hasn't done anything wrong. You're being unfair."

Evelyn's face twisted in barely contained rage, her jaw clenched so tight it might crack. "Olivia was the one who bid. Let her answer for herself. I want to hear it from her lips."

Each word struck Olivia like a physical blow.

"Enough!" Daniel's temper flared, his body tensing as he moved toward Evelyn.

Olivia reacted instantly, her hand shooting out to grasp Daniel's wrist. In her urgency, she didn't realize how intimate the gesture appeared.

Her eyes wide with silent pleading, Olivia shook her head at Daniel.

She knew if Daniel provoked Evelyn, Liam would inevitably intervene. And in her current position - with divorce papers practically signed - she had no right to influence Liam's actions anymore.

Liam's gaze darkened as he watched Olivia's hand on Daniel's wrist. Without hesitation, he strode forward and snatched the rabbit-shaped lantern from the auctioneer's hands.

His commanding presence silenced the room instantly.

After claiming the prize, Liam handed it directly to Evelyn.

His voice was ice-cold as he declared, "I was the first to speak up, which makes this rightfully ours. While we should show compassion to those with disabilities, that doesn't automatically make them correct. If pity determined every dispute, justice would cease to exist, wouldn't it?"

Olivia's head snapped up at Liam's words. She took an involuntary step forward, her hands lifting slightly as if to explain - she'd never meant it that way. She only wanted what was rightfully hers.

But then she hesitated. If this was how Liam saw her, would any explanation matter?

Her thoughts tangled like yarn in a kitten's paws. Tears pricked at her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.

Surrounded by curious onlookers, Olivia clenched her jaw and turned to Daniel, gesturing that she needed to leave and rest.

Daniel caught the pain in Olivia's eyes. His glare at Liam could have frozen hell over.

The air between the two men crackled with unspoken threats.

As Daniel led Olivia away, Liam's control finally snapped.

"Olivia!" His voice carried both command and unexpected hurt. "You see me and don't even say hello?"

Too exhausted to respond, Olivia kept walking without turning back.

Liam's frustration erupted. He stormed past her, his expensive cologne mixing with the faint scent of cigarettes, leaving bitterness in his wake.

His abrupt departure felt like the final punctuation to their relationship - two souls now walking separate paths, with no more waiting between them.

Seeing her opportunity, Evelyn hurried after Liam.

When Liam reached his car, he started the engine without hesitation.

Desperate, Evelyn tapped on the window, her eyes pleading. "Liam, what about our dinner plans?"

He didn't even glance at her. "Business calls. My security will take you back to the hotel. Call if you need anything."

Evelyn's frustration boiled over. "I thought we were staying together tonight?"

Liam's stony silence was answer enough.

Evelyn's face flushed with anger. Just when she thought she was making progress, Liam's indifference proved otherwise.

Watching his car disappear, Evelyn stormed back to her room. A long shower somewhat restored her mood - until an insistent knock interrupted her solitude.

Olivia assumed it was Natalie or Isabella. The hotel's excellent security gave her little reason for concern, and she had a panic button installed in her suite for emergencies.

Comforted by these precautions, Olivia opened the door - only to find Liam standing there, his expression stormy.

Startled, she immediately tried to close the door, but Liam wedged his foot in the gap.

Just as the door nearly shut, a pained grunt came from the hallway.

Concern overriding caution, Olivia reopened the door to find Liam still there, his face a mask of displeasure.

Despite the pain in his wrist, Liam couldn't help a bitter chuckle at Olivia's cold demeanor. "So now you're the victim here?"

Olivia signed that she needed rest, emphasizing her important schedule tomorrow required all her energy.

After a pause, she made it clear she didn't want to see either him or Evelyn at Westfield University tomorrow.

Better to avoid awkward encounters altogether, she reasoned.

Liam's expression darkened, his handsome features turning severe. He caught Olivia's wrist mid-gesture, his grip unyielding.

Olivia winced. She wanted to tell him he was hurting her, but no sound came out.

Liam's voice dripped with accusation. "You're pushing me away because you don't want me seeing you with Daniel, aren't you? I can't believe you'd avoid me just to be with him."

Olivia felt a surge of indignation. A date with Daniel? He was just a friend. Given Liam's obvious closeness with Evelyn, how dare he make demands of her?

Reading Olivia's expression, Liam's eyes turned glacial. Without warning, he scooped her up and carried her into the suite, kicking the door shut behind them.

Olivia struggled, but her resistance ended when Liam pinned her to the bed. She lay silent, her eyes begging for understanding.

In a moment that blurred punishment and passion, Liam nipped at her earlobe. Feeling her tremble, he intensified his touch.

As confusion and desire warred within Olivia, Liam's hand slipped beneath her clothes, his touch scorching as if trying to brand her from within.

Then reality struck. With sudden clarity, Olivia bit down hard on Liam's tongue.

Liam recoiled with a pained frown, his expression shifting from desire to shocked anger as he sat up, staring at her.

Olivia clutched her stomach, her face contorted in pain and fear.

Seeing her distress, Liam's anger dissolved into immediate concern.