Chapter 460

The call disconnected before Evelyn could even process the dial tone. Liam's abrupt end left Rosalind utterly confused.

"Why did he hang up, Evelyn?"

Evelyn's voice trembled with barely contained emotion. "He refuses to see me or speak to me. You talk to him."

Rosalind's eyebrows shot up. "That can't be true."

Evelyn didn't respond, pulling the covers over her head like a shield against the world. The darkness provided temporary refuge as she squeezed her eyes shut against the pain.

Still baffled, Rosalind answered the incoming call. "Mr. Blackwood, it's Rosalind."

A brief pause. Then Liam's deep voice asked, "Is Cassandra awake?"

"She is," Rosalind confirmed.

His next question came clipped and professional. "How's her condition?"

"Physically fine," Rosalind answered carefully. "Emotionally... not so much."

Another pause. Then, "Was there something you needed?"

Rosalind glanced at the human-shaped lump beneath the blankets. "Cassandra suspects there might be a mole in your research team."

"I know," Liam replied, his tone unsettlingly calm.

"You knew?" Rosalind couldn't hide her surprise.

"We've been investigating since we exposed the imposter Victoria," he explained.

Rosalind nodded, impressed despite herself by Liam's efficiency.

"Mr. Blackwood," she ventured, "would you like to speak with Cassandra now?"

The silence stretched so long Rosalind thought the call had dropped. When Liam finally spoke, his voice had turned icy. "That won't be necessary. Take care of her."

Rosalind frowned at the sudden chill in his tone - so different from his earlier concern.

She ended the call with a quiet acknowledgment.

Beneath the covers, Evelyn finally let the tears fall. The grief over Margaret's death mixed painfully with Liam's deliberate distance.

The next afternoon brought an unwelcome visitor to Wright Manor - Julian's supposed new wife, Genevieve. Plain in appearance but radiating sharp intelligence, she arrived flanked by a team of lawyers.

With clinical efficiency, she took control of the estate, presenting documents that declared her rightful inheritance. The media frenzy that followed painted Cassandra as the disinherited heiress of the Wright fortune.

Speculation ran wild about the billionaire family's internal power struggles, though the truth remained carefully hidden.

In the grand foyer of Wright Manor, Evelyn studied the inheritance papers handed to her by one of Genevieve's assistants. The signatures of Archibald and Margaret were genuine - but obtained under duress.

Legally, Evelyn could challenge them. But doing so would risk another financial disruption that might endanger her remaining family.

"How long have you known Julian?" Evelyn asked coolly.

Genevieve's smile didn't reach her eyes. "About two weeks."

"Two weeks?" Evelyn arched an eyebrow. "And you truly know what kind of man he is?"

Genevieve crossed her arms. "Our marriage is purely transactional. His character is irrelevant."

"You'll regret this," Evelyn warned.

Genevieve merely laughed.

Without another word, Evelyn guided Rosalind upstairs to pack. Genevieve's voice followed them: "Julian's demands must be met by tonight."

Evelyn paused mid-step, then continued upward, her expression carefully blank.

After packing their belongings and delivering the counterfeit materials Genevieve demanded, they left Wright Manor behind.

In the car, Rosalind asked, "Evelyn, are we going to Blackwood Manor?"

Evelyn leaned her forehead against the cool window glass, watching the world blur past. Everything looked gray through her tear-filled eyes.

"Let's find a hotel," she whispered.