Chapter 179

Ryan and Adrian moved swiftly to restrain Margaret, preventing her from reaching the pool's edge. Victoria's panicked thrashing in the water was erratic, nothing like the controlled movements of someone who knew how to swim.

"Help! Liam, I can't swim!" she screamed.

Hearing the commotion, Julian rushed out onto the balcony from the second floor. His eyes widened at the scene below before he bolted toward the pool area.

Liam stood motionless by the water's edge, watching Victoria's desperate struggles with unnerving detachment. Despite her flailing limbs, she somehow managed to keep her head above water.

Margaret's tearful pleas for help echoed across the estate as she begged both the butler and Julian to intervene.

When Julian reached the scene, Adrian blocked his path.

"Liam, have you gone mad? Victoria can't swim!" Julian's voice shook with barely contained fury, veins bulging in his neck. "Are you trying to drown her?"

Equally distraught, Margaret clutched at Liam's arm. "Please, Liam! Save her! She's terrified of water!"

Liam remained stone-faced, his icy gaze fixed on Victoria's struggling form. The chaos around him seemed to have no effect on his composure.

The butler arrived moments later, only to be stopped by Ryan, who prevented any interference.

As Margaret sobbed uncontrollably, Julian's voice cut through the air like a blade. "Are you punishing Victoria for Evelyn? She's been devoted to you since childhood! How can you be so cruel?"

Liam spoke calmly to Adrian. "How long has it been?"

"Fifteen minutes, General Blackwood," Adrian replied.

Julian, being a doctor, felt his frustration mounting. Why couldn't Victoria just hold her breath and sink? Didn't she realize Liam would save her if she truly appeared to be drowning?

The idiot just needed to sink!

Julian was nearly beside himself with rage. He couldn't understand why Victoria couldn't fake drowning properly.

After five more agonizing minutes, Liam finally gave the order with quiet authority. "Pull her out."

"Yes, General Blackwood."

Ryan and Adrian immediately grabbed life preservers and threw them into the pool. Victoria grabbed one and weakly paddled toward the edge.

The moment Victoria reached solid ground, Margaret rushed forward and enveloped her in a crushing embrace. With trembling hands, she cradled Victoria's face, her voice thick with tears. "My poor darling, what have they done to you?"

Margaret turned on Liam with fire in her eyes. "Get out! You're not welcome here!" she shouted.

Victoria quickly grabbed Margaret's arm. "Grandmother, no! You can't send Liam away. He must have misunderstood me because of Evelyn. I don't blame him."

Julian could only stare in disbelief at Victoria's words, his face darkening with anger. She'd completely forgotten his instructions.

Victoria's hydrophobia was severe. When submerged, her entire body would shake uncontrollably, overwhelmed by paralyzing terror.

Once out of water, she'd be left weak and trembling, drenched in cold sweat and on the verge of fainting.

Margaret clenched her jaw.

It was always about Evelyn. That woman was truly vile. Not only had she stolen Victoria's childhood sweetheart, but she kept causing trouble for her.

Margaret silently vowed that Evelyn would pay dearly for this.

Liam approached Victoria, his pupils contracting slightly. Beneath his composed exterior, shock rippled through him. Suppressing his turmoil, he asked softly, "Are you hurt?"

Julian opened his mouth to speak, but Ryan quickly covered it with his hand.