Chapter 180

Liam's jaw clenched in silent fury, his voice trapped beneath an invisible weight as unseen forces dragged him away.

Victoria, feigning fragility, swayed dramatically before collapsing against Margaret. "Liam, I almost died! You know I'm terrified of water. Were you trying to kill me?"

The absurdity struck him immediately. Despite her claimed aquaphobia, she'd tread water effortlessly for twenty minutes. Now she stood perfectly composed, without a single symptom of panic.

Margaret's grip tightened around Victoria's wrist, her eyes narrowing with sudden suspicion. "Victoria... since when did you conquer your fear of water?"

A beat of hesitation. Then Victoria burst into theatrical sobs. "Grandmother, I'm shaking! I was so scared I thought I'd die!"

Liam turned on his heel without a word, Ryan and Adrian falling into step behind him.

"Liam!" Victoria's wail echoed across the estate. "Don't walk away from me! Why are you being so cruel?"

Margaret pulled her "distraught" granddaughter into an embrace, their shared tears a perfect performance.

As the car sped toward the hospital, Liam leaned back, eyes closed. The pieces didn't fit. This wasn't the Victoria he remembered.

His mind flashed to her homecoming a year ago - how she'd thrown herself into his arms, whispering "I missed you so much" with tears glistening. He'd attributed her changed demeanor to time abroad. Now he knew better.

"Ryan." His voice cut through the silence. "I want Victoria's complete dossier. Past ten years. You have forty-eight hours."

Ryan's eyebrows shot up. "Investigating Ms. Dawson?"

A curt nod. "Every detail."

The two soldiers exchanged bewildered glances. Victoria came from impeccable lineage, had grown up with Liam. What could possibly warrant investigation?

Still, Ryan nodded. "Understood, General Blackwood."

The hospital ward stood empty when they arrived. Liam's pulse spiked as he scanned the vacant room before storming to the nurses' station. "Where's Evelyn Carter from the VIP suite?"

The nurse flinched. "Discharged an hour ago."

"Without my authorization?" His voice turned dangerous.

"She... left a note and slipped out quietly, sir."

Fists clenched, Liam marched back to the car, dialing Evelyn's number repeatedly. Each attempt met the same automated rejection: "The number you have dialed is unreachable."

Blackwood Manor offered no solace. The butler reported Evelyn's brief return - ten minutes to pack a single bag before vanishing again.

Alone in their bedroom, Liam sank onto the mattress, his gaze falling on Evelyn's abandoned books in the corner. Last time she left, there'd been a letter. This time? Nothing.

His chest constricted painfully as he collapsed backward. Fumbling for his phone, he hit speed dial - the one he'd programmed to Evelyn's number months ago.

The same robotic voice answered. His fingers trembled against the screen.

Was this it? Had she truly left him for good? The ache in his chest deepened with each hollow ring.