Chapter 261

The chandeliers in Blackwood Manor cast a golden glow across the grand living room. The antique grandfather clock chimed half past ten.

Evelyn sat curled up on the velvet sofa, cradling a steaming mug of chamomile tea. Liam hovered nearby while the Hudson siblings occupied the adjacent armchairs.

Ryan and Adrian stood sentinel by the marble fireplace. The air hung thick with tension as all eyes remained fixed on Evelyn, waiting for an explanation about her mysterious disappearance.

She took a final sip of tea and met their expectant gazes. Her eyes eventually locked with Liam's.

His jaw was clenched tight, but his stormy gray eyes held that familiar tenderness as he reached to brush a stray curl from her face.

She intercepted his hand gently. "I'm fine," she murmured, taking the handkerchief from his fingers.

"Are you ready to tell us what happened?" Liam's deep voice resonated with barely restrained concern. "How did you vanish from our secured estate? Where were you taken?"

Evelyn's fingers tightened around the teacup before she gestured toward the French windows.

"There's an ancient oak in the south garden," she began. "I was sitting beneath it when a rope ladder descended from the branches above."

"What?" Liam's brows furrowed.

"Before I could react, a woman rappelled down," Evelyn continued, avoiding eye contact. "I never saw her face—everything went black. I woke up alone in an abandoned amusement park on the city outskirts."

Ryan immediately pulled out his tablet, fingers flying across the screen as he accessed security feeds.

"Did she hurt you?" Liam's voice dropped dangerously low.

Evelyn shook her head, her fingers twisting the fabric of her skirt. "No... she was gone when I came to."

A heavy silence blanketed the room.

Victoria snorted derisively. "That's the most ridiculous story I've ever heard."

Evelyn lowered her gaze, knowing her weak acting betrayed her. The truth was Rosalind had extracted her using a sophisticated pulley system, then transported her in a nondescript van. But she couldn't reveal that.

"Evelyn," Benjamin leaned forward, his diplomatic training evident in his measured tone. "If someone's threatening you, we can help. Your husband commands Norvania's entire military force. No one can touch you here."

She forced wide-eyed innocence. "I've told you everything."

Victoria stood abruptly, her designer heels clicking sharply against the hardwood. "Enough of these childish lies! You clearly staged this whole drama for attention."

Evelyn's throat tightened. The kidnapping wasn't her doing, but her deception made defense impossible.

"I'm sorry to have worried everyone," she whispered, standing to bow slightly before turning toward the grand staircase.

Liam caught her wrist gently. "Let me take you to the hospital, sweetheart," he murmured, using that endearing nickname that now carried new meaning.

She turned back, studying his face—the worry lines etched between his brows, the warmth in his gaze that now made perfect sense. He knew. He'd always known her true identity.

The realization brought bittersweet comfort. All this time, she'd been jealous of... herself. The irony almost made her laugh.

"Just need rest," she said softly, placing a hand over his. The unspoken understanding passed between them.

Though concern still darkened his features, Liam reluctantly released her. As she ascended the staircase, she could feel his protective gaze following her every step.