Chapter 358

Evelyn and Victoria returned to their seats one after another. Benjamin had already prepared fresh tissues for the next round of their drinking game. "Let's continue," he announced with a grin.

Evelyn drained her glass and set it down with a hollow thud. "Actually, I just remembered an urgent matter," she said abruptly. "I should get going. Enjoy your evening."

Rosalind studied Evelyn's face carefully before standing up. Evelyn gave everyone a polite nod and turned to leave, but Liam's hand shot out, gripping her wrist like a vice.

The entire garden froze.

She stood rigid while he remained seated, his fingers locked around her delicate wrist like iron shackles. All eyes dropped to where their skin touched. Shadows obscured Liam's expression as he held on, his touch burning through her sleeve.

Evelyn's heart constricted painfully at the familiar warmth of his palm.

"Liam, I really must go," she lied smoothly. "Grandmother is expecting me." She tried to pull away, but his grip only tightened.

The alcohol amplified Liam's anguish a thousandfold. A storm raged in his chest - so many words he wanted to say, needed to say, yet his tongue remained leaden in his mouth.

His gaze dropped to her empty glass instead.

With agonizing slowness, his fingers uncurled from her wrist. The pain was excruciating - each breath felt like swallowing shards of glass. Finally, his arm fell limply to his side.

Evelyn forced a brittle smile. "Rosalind and I will take our leave now. Goodnight."

She walked away without looking back. The streetlights blurred past as she strode down the path, unshed tears glistening like diamonds in her eyes.

Back at the garden table, Benjamin turned to Liam, who looked utterly shattered. Liam stared blankly at Evelyn's empty glass, his broad shoulders slumped in defeat. Even in the dim golden light, the redness around his eyes was unmistakable.

"What are you still doing here?" Benjamin demanded. "Go after her!"

Liam ignored him, reaching instead for the beer bottle.

"For God's sake, Liam! If you love her, fight for her!" Benjamin slammed his fist on the table. "You're Liam Blackwood! Is there any woman you can't win over?"

Victoria elbowed her brother sharply. "Benjamin, stop. What's the point? Not every woman deserves that kind of pursuit. Besides," she added pointedly, "she doesn't belong in our world. She'll leave eventually."

Liam continued drinking in silence. Benjamin smacked the table again. "Then make her stay!"

"She doesn't love him!" Victoria snapped.

"Feelings can grow! He's loved her for years, given her everything! Doesn't he deserve—"

"Since when does love guarantee returns?" Victoria cut in coldly.

Benjamin fell silent.

"Besides," Victoria continued scornfully, "Cassandra has always been selfish. They were childhood sweethearts. He worshipped her, gave her the world."

"And how did she repay him? The moment she went abroad, she cut all ties. Blocked him everywhere."

"If not for her amnesia, she probably would have ignored him for the rest of her life! Why should Liam waste his heart on someone like that?"

Benjamin opened his mouth, then closed it. He glanced at Liam, who had already emptied two more bottles.