Chapter 28

The evening air was thick with unspoken tension as Evelyn, Liam, and Margaret sat around the dining table. The clinking of silverware against porcelain was the only sound breaking the heavy silence.

Liam's phone buzzed violently against the mahogany surface, shattering the fragile peace.

He glanced at the screen, his brows knitting together in irritation.

Victoria was calling via video chat.

Answering would be inappropriate with Evelyn and Margaret present. Besides, he still hadn't addressed yesterday's incident with Victoria.

With a swift motion, he declined the call and typed a quick message. "Occupied. Will call later."

Sliding the phone aside, he resumed eating with forced nonchalance.

Margaret's sharp eyes caught the exchange. "Work keeping you busy these days?" Her tone was deceptively light.

"Somewhat." Liam kept his answer deliberately vague.

"Business or pleasure?" She nodded pointedly at his device.

"Nothing important," Liam deflected.

The phone lit up again with Victoria's persistent call.

Evelyn didn't need to see the screen to know who it was. She kept her gaze fixed on her plate, though her appetite had vanished.

Liam's eyes flickered to Evelyn before rejecting the call a second time.

Flustered by the interruption, Liam served them both bowls of steaming lobster bisque - Evelyn's favorite.

Evelyn froze, staring at the golden soup. A year ago, this small gesture would have made her heart soar.

Now, it left a bitter taste in her mouth. Slowly, she pushed the bowl away without tasting it.

Liam's jaw tightened. He could see the hurt radiating from Evelyn's stiff posture.

He opened his mouth to speak, but the words caught in his throat. The apology refused to come.

When Victoria called for the third time, Margaret snatched the phone before Liam could react.

The moment the call connected, Victoria's hysterical sobs filled the dining room. "Liam! Evelyn went through my things! My jewelry drawer is ransacked, and my diamond tennis bracelet is missing! It's worth fifteen thousand! I bet she—"

Margaret's face darkened like a thundercloud.

Evelyn kept her head bowed, fingers tightening around her steak knife until her knuckles turned white. An invisible weight crushed her chest, making each breath painful.

Liam swiftly reclaimed his phone. On screen, Victoria was dramatically covering her face, not realizing who had answered.

"Who dares accuse my granddaughter of theft?" Margaret's voice could have frozen hell. "Evelyn was raised with honor and integrity!"

Victoria's crying ceased abruptly. Her eyes flew open, widening when she saw Liam's stormy expression.

"Liam? Is that... Margaret? You're at Blackwood Manor?"

"Yes." Liam's voice was arctic.

"Is... is Evelyn there too?" Victoria's tone turned apprehensive.

"She is." The words were clipped.

Victoria backpedaled frantically. "I didn't mean she stole it! I just thought—"

"Evelyn doesn't touch what isn't hers." Liam's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "We're done here."

"Wait, Liam! When are you—"

The call ended with a decisive tap.

Margaret fixed Liam with a piercing stare. "Are you involved with that woman?"

Liam struggled for words. "It's not what you think, Grandmother. Let's just finish dinner."

Seeing she'd get no straight answer, Margaret turned to Evelyn. "Sweetheart, tell me truthfully - is my grandson betraying your marriage?"