Chapter 440

"Please calm down, Mrs. Whitmore!" Vivian struggled to move with her arm in a cast and an IV drip attached.

Eleanor Whitmore had always been volatile. Right now, she was barely holding onto her last shred of sanity. If not for that, she might have strangled Vivian on the spot.

"One chance—that's all I'm giving you! Tell me where Nathaniel is!" Eleanor's grip on Vivian's shoulders tightened, her manic energy fading into desperate tears. "Just tell me if my son is alive. I'm begging you!"

A mother would do anything for her child.

"I already told you—I don't know!" Vivian met her gaze, frustration and sympathy warring inside her. "I didn’t expect him to save me. I have no reason to hurt him or hide him from you!"

As a mother herself, Vivian understood. If their roles were reversed, she wouldn’t have been this restrained. She’d have torn through anyone standing between her and her child.

But understanding didn’t help. She had no answers to give.

Vivian exhaled sharply. Damn it, Nathaniel. What mess have you gotten yourself into now?

"Wait, I’ll call Liam. He might know something." Since everything she’d heard about Nathaniel had come from Liam, he was her best bet.

Just as she reached for her phone, Liam strode into the room. He’d rushed over the moment his meeting ended.

"Let her go!" His voice was ice as he shoved Eleanor back.

"Liam, stop!" Vivian snapped. She took a breath, forcing calm. "You’re here at the right time. Tell them what happened to Nathaniel. Where is he?"

Liam’s anger flickered, replaced by something darker. His smile was cold, mocking. "How is it that you, his own mother, don’t know his condition, Mrs. Whitmore?"

He’d already confirmed with the morgue—Nathaniel’s father had taken the body. Eleanor had to know. Which meant this confrontation wasn’t about answers. It was an attack.

"Again with this nonsense." Cassandra Delacroix stepped forward, eyes blazing. "You and Miss Lockhart keep feeding us the same lies. Do you think we’re fools?" She jabbed a finger at Liam. "What did you do to Nathaniel? Why won’t you tell us where he is?"

Liam slid his hands into his pockets, posture relaxed but voice razor-sharp. "I have no idea what you’re accusing me of. But if you keep harassing my boss, I won’t hesitate to remove you. Doesn’t matter if you’re a Whitmore or the damn queen."

Cassandra immediately shielded Eleanor, defiance in every line of her body.

"I knew it! You’re covering something up, and now you’re threatening us?" She lifted her chin. "Fine. Take me instead. But if you lay a finger on Mrs. Whitmore, I’ll make sure you regret it!"