Chapter 335

The tension in the room was palpable.

Evelyn Carter stood frozen, her fingers trembling around the cold metal of the gun. Liam Blackwood's piercing gaze locked onto hers, unreadable as always.

"You don't have to do this," he said, voice low and steady.

But she did.

The weight of her past pressed down on her—the lies, the betrayals, the faces of those she'd lost.

Victoria Dawson smirked from the corner, her arms crossed. "Oh, but she does, Liam. She's always been a liability."

Evelyn's grip tightened.

A sudden crash shattered the silence. The door burst open, and Ryan Sullivan stormed in, blood streaked across his face. "We have to go. Now."

Liam didn't hesitate. He grabbed Evelyn's wrist, pulling her toward the exit.

But it was too late.

The sound of boots echoed down the hall.

They were surrounded.

Evelyn met Liam's eyes one last time.

Then everything went black.

"What are you implying?" Evelyn didn't slow her pace.

Rosalind kept up with her, breathing slightly harder. "Drugging a man would definitely involve the second type."

Evelyn turned to her, confusion flickering across her face.

Rosalind pressed on. "Evelyn, your worry for Mr. Blackwood has clouded your judgment. Think logically. He knows Victoria has ulterior motives. He won’t let his guard down."

Silence stretched between them, so Rosalind elaborated.

"First, Mr. Blackwood’s assistants would never betray him. The consequences would be catastrophic for them."

She took a breath. "Second, to drug a man, he’d need to be disoriented and aroused. If Mr. Blackwood carries a sedative, even an aphrodisiac wouldn’t work."

"Lastly," she finished, "I doubt Victoria is a real threat. You’re overreacting."

Evelyn finally stopped, stepping out of Blackwood Manor with Rosalind close behind. "Rosalind, do you think Liam would find it ridiculous—even ironic—that I came here to protect him?"

"Why would you think that?"

Evelyn stood by the curb, a bitter smile twisting her lips as she hailed a cab. "I told him we couldn’t even be friends. That I never wanted to see him again. And now, here I am, contradicting myself."

"Evelyn, you had your reasons," Rosalind said gently. "And it doesn’t seem like Mr. Blackwood holds it against you."

The bitterness lingered. A cab pulled up, but Evelyn hesitated before getting in.

"Rosalind, you’re right. Liam doesn’t need my protection. He’s more than capable of handling himself." She exhaled sharply. "Should I even go back to Blackwood Manor?"

"I think you should stay there for now," Rosalind said, opening the door. "Get in. We can talk more inside."

Evelyn relented, sliding into the cab with Rosalind following.

As they settled in, Rosalind spoke calmly. "Julian was only crippled by Mr. Blackwood—not killed."

Her voice lowered. "If you go back to Wright Manor now, he won’t show mercy. And Mr. Blackwood won’t allow it either."

Evelyn fell silent, lost in thought.

Forty minutes later, the cab stopped at the gates of Royal Heights. Evelyn and Rosalind stepped out, heading toward Blackwood Manor.

As they walked, Evelyn pulled out her phone and dialed.

She had been preoccupied with Donovan at Blackwood Manor, and it was already past lunch. She had no idea where Liam was.

The call connected after a few rings.

"Liam, where are you?" she asked.

His voice was rough, barely above a whisper. "Home."

Evelyn’s stomach twisted. "What’s wrong?"

"Nothing."

Her unease deepened. Liam’s voice was usually strong, commanding. Even when tired, it never sounded this weak.

Panic surged through her. She broke into a run.

Rosalind hurried after her, bewildered.

Five minutes later, Evelyn reached Blackwood Manor.

Just as she was about to enter, she spotted Oliver Whitmore, the chef, rushing out, his face pale.

Evelyn blocked his path. "Oliver, didn’t I tell you to take the day off? Why are you here?"

His smile faltered. He glanced nervously behind him before answering. "Ms. Carter, I left my recipe book in the kitchen. I came back for it—and to prepare lunch for Mr. Blackwood."

"Has he eaten?"

"He has." Oliver shifted uncomfortably. "I didn’t know you and Rosalind were back, so I didn’t make extra. My apologies. Let me treat you both to make up for it. I appreciate you looking out for me."