Chapter 409

Was he protecting Victoria?

The thought flashed through Evelyn's mind. She even suspected Liam was merely clinging to some childhood nostalgia, some unrequited affection from their youth. He couldn't possibly love her that deeply.

He wouldn't even hurt Victoria for her sake.

Evelyn drew a shaky breath before violently wrenching her wrist from Liam's grasp. Tremors of rage coursed through her as bitterness flooded her senses, her heart constricting painfully.

"Don't touch me!" she screamed.

Tears cascaded down her cheeks uncontrollably. She staggered backward, putting distance between them.

She scrubbed at her face desperately, but the gesture only made her feel more wretched - like some pitiful creature no one could understand or love.

Rosalind couldn't bear to watch. "Let's go," she murmured, seizing Evelyn's hand and pulling her away. Evelyn kept wiping her tears as she cried, unable to resist one last glance over her shoulder.

Ryan trailed behind them.

Liam and Victoria remained frozen in place.

Her heart shattered beyond repair. Every decision she'd made now seemed catastrophically wrong.

Liam wasn't worth abandoning her research career at Solterra. He wasn't worth returning to Aldenria for.

The more Evelyn dwelled on it, the more devastated she became. This time, she didn't look back as Rosalind led her away. Beneath the streetlights, Liam watched Evelyn's silhouette dissolve into the night. His expression darkened, features hardening into something terrifying.

Victoria exhaled in relief. She approached him cautiously. "Liam, don't waste your energy on her. That sort of woman isn't worth-"

"What sort of woman?" Liam's voice could have frozen hell.

Victoria flinched at his glacial tone. She swallowed hard before trying again. "Don't dwell on it. Let's just head back."

Liam's piercing gaze locked onto her. "Victoria, I'll admit I'm despicable. Using your connections to pressure Cassandra into giving me status."

Victoria gaped, speechless.

"You should know I'm utterly devoted to her," Liam continued, voice laced with warning. "If you value our friendship at all, learn your place."

"But I was only-"

"I don't need your defense."

"What has Cassandra done to bewitch you like this?"

Liam's expression shifted dangerously. He brushed past her. "Consider our friendship terminated."

Victoria panicked, darting in front of him. "I'm sorry! I swear I won't interfere or speak against Cassandra again! We've been friends for decades - you can't just end it like this!"

Liam paused, features softening slightly.

Encouraged, Victoria pressed, "If you love her so much, why let her walk away devastated? Why not chase after her? Liam?"

Liam remained silent, face unreadable. He strode past her toward his car.

Victoria hurried after him. When she reached for the passenger door, she found it locked.

She rapped on the window. "Liam? I'm still out here!"

Liam didn't spare her a glance. The engine roared to life as he sped away.