Chapter 402

Liam fell silent for a long moment.

Instead of questioning how Evelyn had discovered his car's identification, he asked anxiously, "Cassandra, are you outside?"

Evelyn answered casually, "Yes, I was on my way to meet Rosalind when I spotted you."

Concern laced Liam's voice as he pressed, "Do you have security with you? Is Rosalind there?"

There was a brief pause before Evelyn replied, "I'm alone. Didn't bring anyone."

Liam's voice grew urgent. "Share your location. I'll send someone immediately."

Silence stretched between them again as Evelyn realized Liam hadn't even acknowledged her discovery about his car. Despite her concerns, he seemed solely focused on her safety.

"Liam, it's fine," she reassured him. "Just meeting a friend. Rosalind will join me soon."

Liam's tone turned stern yet caring, like an overprotective older brother. "Next time you go out, you must inform me first. Never go anywhere alone, understood?"

Evelyn mumbled her reluctant agreement, then countered, "And what about you?"

Liam exhaled before remembering to update her. "Got rear-ended by another vehicle. Nothing serious though."

"Are you hurt?" Evelyn's voice tightened with worry.

"No, I'm fine," Liam assured her.

A pang of jealousy shot through Evelyn as she recalled Liam holding hands with Victoria. She wanted to confront him but couldn't find the words.

Victoria's mocking voice suddenly cut through the silence. "Even spare tires need emotional maintenance these days. With how she fusses over you, when will you upgrade her from backup status?"

Evelyn's heart went numb at the words.

Since when had she ever considered Liam a backup?

Was Victoria deliberately stirring trouble?

Evelyn suppressed a sigh and whispered, "Liam, is that constant buzzing noise coming from Victoria?"

"You heard that?" Liam sounded surprised.

Evelyn forced a bitter smile. "Would you prefer I hadn't?"

"That's not what I meant," Liam quickly clarified.

Her mood darkened further. "How close is she to be eavesdropping? Her voice carries right through the microphone."

The prolonged silence that followed made Evelyn wonder if Liam had muted the call to speak privately with Victoria.

Her frustration grew at Victoria's habitual boundary-crossing and manipulative tendencies. She could only hope Liam would recognize Victoria's behavior and maintain distance.

But Liam's next words left her speechless.

"Cassandra, Victoria has a habit of speaking casually. Her comment wasn't meant to offend you. It was just our usual banter, not directed at you."

Evelyn responded with a disdainful snort, choosing silence.

Receiving no reaction, Liam grew uneasy and added, "Victoria and I are like siblings. She doesn't filter her words around me either."

Evelyn couldn't contain her scorn any longer. "Very well then," she said icily. "I wish you and your sibling-like relationship all the best."

With that, she abruptly ended the call.