Chapter 181

Liam Blackwood turned every stone in Aldenria searching for Evelyn Carter.

Her childhood home. Her mother's residence. The apartment she rented last month. No trace of her remained.

Just twenty-four hours had passed, yet exhaustion carved deep lines into his handsome face. The same heartbreak he'd felt a decade ago when leaving Valtoria returned with crushing intensity.

At midday, an unexpected visitor arrived at Blackwood Manor. Natalie Winslow, a sharp-eyed attorney, presented herself as Evelyn's legal representative to finalize divorce proceedings.

Sunlight streamed through the study's bay windows, yet the air hung thick with tension.

Natalie slid a platinum card and legal documents across the mahogany desk. "My client has signed. This contains your account details, General Blackwood. She'll repay the withdrawn amount in monthly installments."

Liam's knuckles whitened as he stared at the papers. Each breath felt like swallowing shards of glass.

Evelyn had promised to communicate. Had sworn she wouldn't abandon their marriage without discussion. Were her vows so easily broken?

Did she truly despise him enough to send a lawyer instead of facing him?

He exhaled sharply, lifting glacial eyes to meet Natalie's. "Where is she?" His voice could have frozen hell.

"Ms. Carter declines visitation. Once you sign, you'll naturally see her when collecting the divorce decree." Natalie maintained perfect professionalism.

A humorless smirk twisted Liam's lips as he snatched the documents. Without reading, he tore them in two.

Natalie's composure cracked for a single heartbeat.

"Tell her to face me like an adult if she wants this." Liam tossed the shredded papers into the wastebin.

Natalie rose, squaring her shoulders. "Should you refuse, General Blackwood, my client will pursue litigation."

The temperature in the room plummeted. Liam's fist clenched, veins standing stark against his skin.

Natalie swallowed hard. With a curt nod, she turned toward the door.

His voice stopped her mid-step, dark with promise. "There isn't a soul in Aldenria I can't find."

A shiver raced down Natalie's spine. Taking this case against the Blackwood heir had been career suicide from the start.

She barely maintained her dignity exiting the estate. Only when safely in her car did she release a shuddering breath.

One hour later, Evelyn received the update in Rosalind Fairchild's cozy apartment. The torn papers. The threat. The inevitable court battle.

Evelyn sagged into the sofa, exhaustion weighing her bones.

On the coffee table sat two steaming bowls of truffle macaroni with pancetta, a fruit platter, and dog-eared novels.

Rosalind joined her with a jar of cornichons. "You're really going through with this?"

Evelyn's lips pressed into a thin line. "It's done."

Only the 500,000 dolar debt to Rosalind complicated matters. Repayment would take time.

Rosalind speared a cheesy forkful. "So your husband really is Aldenria's Iron General?"

Evelyn slid onto the floor, stirring her pasta absently. "Unfortunately."

"And he's refusing?" Rosalind asked around a mouthful.

Evelyn blew on her fork. "Vehemently."

Rosalind froze. "Does he love you?"

The question struck like a blade between ribs. Evelyn's throat closed. She could only shake her head, suddenly finding her macaroni fascinating.