Chapter 274

Liam Blackwood massaged his temples and glanced at his wristwatch. His voice was sharp when he commanded, "Pull up Julian Whitmore's records from the past decade."

Ryan Sullivan nodded. "Right away, Mr. Blackwood."

Liam turned to Adrian Castillo. "Adrian, assign a team to keep tabs on Victoria Dawson. I want to know how she and Julian got involved with the Obsidian Circle."

Adrian hesitated, his voice strained. "Mr. Blackwood—"

Liam cut him off. "Also, station guards at Archibald and Margaret Hoffis' residence. I won’t tolerate any threats against them."

Adrian clenched his fists, frustration seeping into his tone. "Sir, you’re already stretched thin with the Aldenrian military. Why waste energy on her family? After what she did to you, she doesn’t deserve your protection."

Liam ignored him. He stepped out of the car and strode into Blackwood Manor, his two assistants trailing behind, their concern palpable.

Adrian called out, desperation lacing his words. "Mr. Blackwood, please—just rest. You need sleep."

"I’m fine," Liam replied curtly.

He wasn’t.

Exhaustion weighed on him, but he refused to close his eyes. Every time he did, Evelyn’s face haunted him, twisting his chest with a pain that robbed him of rest.

He settled at his desk and flipped open a file. "Both of you have work to do."

"Mr. Blackwood—" Adrian slammed his fist against the wall in frustration.

Ryan studied Liam with a grim expression, sympathy tightening his features.

Liam’s voice was cold but weary. "Leave."

The two exchanged a glance before obeying.

Outside, Adrian’s anger boiled over. He punched the car door, the metallic thud making Ryan flinch.

Ryan scowled. "You’re paying for that."

Adrian whirled on him. "How can you care about a car right now?" His voice cracked. "He’s not a machine, Ryan! He’s human—he hurts, he bleeds, he breaks!"

Ryan exhaled heavily. "What do you want me to do? He won’t drink, won’t sleep. Work is the only thing numbing the pain."

Adrian’s gaze flicked toward the hospital. "I’ll drag her back here myself."

Ryan grabbed his arm. "Grow up. This isn’t your call. He’s handled things his way for years. Let him."

Adrian yanked open the car door and dropped into the passenger seat, jerking the seatbelt violently as if it were to blame.

Ryan slid behind the wheel. Before driving off, he dialed Benjamin Hudson.

Thirty minutes later, Benjamin arrived at Blackwood Manor with a crate of whiskey. He pushed open the study door without knocking.

Liam lifted his head, arching a brow at the intrusion.

Benjamin grinned and thumped the crate onto the desk. "Drink with me."

Liam barely glanced at the bottles before returning to his documents. "Get those out of here."

Benjamin perched on the edge of the desk, leaning in. "When was the last time you had a drink?"

Silence.

Benjamin uncapped a bottle and slid it toward Liam. "If you consider me a friend, you’ll drink."

Liam shut the file and leaned back, studying Benjamin with narrowed eyes. "What did my men tell you? Ryan or Adrian?"

Benjamin chuckled awkwardly. "Doesn’t matter. You’re drowning in misery after the divorce. Time to drink it away."

Liam smirked, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. "I’m not that weak."

Benjamin’s grin faded. "No. You’re just that stubborn."