Chapter 469

Liam guided Evelyn through the grand hall, presenting her to each distinguished guest. Though everyone had heard of the brilliant researcher Cassandra Wright, none expected her to be the stunning granddaughter of Aldenria's wealthiest man.

With practiced grace, Evelyn exchanged handshakes and pleasantries with every national leader.

When they reached Harrison Pierce, Liam's eyes sparkled with mischief. "I believe introductions are unnecessary here," he teased, his voice laced with amusement.

Evelyn didn't extend her hand to Liam. Her composed gaze held no trace of their past intimacy as she said evenly, "Indeed. General Blackwood, it's been some time."

The formal address extinguished the hopeful flame in Liam's chest. He straightened his posture, slipping his phone away before clearing his throat. "I thought you'd left for good?"

"My citizenship has been reinstated," she replied casually.

Liam's eyes traveled over her slender frame, lingering at her stomach. Five months had passed since her departure - enough time for visible changes if she'd been carrying his child. But her fitted dress revealed no such signs, only accentuating her refined beauty.

"How did you manage to return?" he pressed.

A sardonic smile curved her lips. "By betraying Solterra and fleeing back."

His expression darkened instantly.

Before, no amount of pleading could convince her to turn against Solterra. The realization stung - he simply hadn't been important enough to warrant such sacrifice.

"Why the sudden change of heart?" His voice carried an unfamiliar weight.

"General Blackwood," she said with practiced politeness, "this hardly seems the appropriate venue for such discussions."

Harrison quickly interjected, "Plenty of time for that later. Starting tomorrow, Cassandra will join the military research team under your supervision."

Evelyn extended her hand with professional detachment. "I look forward to working with you, sir."

The formal address twisted like a knife in Liam's chest. She stood before him now as a stranger - all polite smiles and proper titles, erasing their shared history with clinical precision.

He felt like a fool. Seeing her again, he'd dared hope she'd returned to fulfill her promise. That they might finally have their chance.

Beautiful women made the most convincing liars.

After a measured pause, Liam took her offered hand. Her skin felt ice-cold against his, stirring immediate concern about her light attire.

Evelyn withdrew after precisely two seconds of contact, her smile slipping the moment their hands parted.

Liam's fingers remained suspended mid-air before slowly curling into a fist. The emptiness of his palm mirrored the hollowness in his chest.

Evelyn quickly turned to Harrison, unable to maintain her composure under Liam's gaze. The brief contact had nearly shattered her carefully constructed facade.

She wasn't as strong as she'd believed.

Every ounce of indifference was a desperate mask for how much she still cared. The thought of Liam with Victoria Hudson was a physical pain she couldn't bear.

She didn't blame him. What man would wait indefinitely for a woman who couldn't promise him a future?