Chapter 474

Liam settled onto the plush lounge sofa while Evelyn pulled up a chair, positioning herself across from him with the sleek glass coffee table between them.

Their eyes locked in an intense stare. Even Liam's most ardent gaze couldn't penetrate Evelyn's carefully constructed composure, which radiated an icy detachment that made his chest tighten.

Leaning back casually, Liam broke the silence first. "How long have you been back in Aldenria?"

Evelyn blinked in surprise. "I thought we were here to discuss my family matters?" she countered, her fingers absently toying with the buttons of her coat.

Liam's jaw tightened. "Are we really at the point where I can't even ask about your wellbeing?" His voice carried a sharp edge of frustration.

Evelyn lowered her gaze, the rhythmic clicking of her coat buttons the only sound in the tense silence. Liam watched the subtle tremor in her hands, his heart aching at her obvious distress.

He forced himself to change topics. "Since Genevieve took over your grandfather's enterprises, they've not just survived - they've thrived. Market value increased by over 50 billion under her management."

His words came measured and precise. "In the past six months, she's been systematically moving assets overseas. While the businesses have relocated, everything remains in Genevieve's name for now." A pause. "When your grandfather returns safely, the transfer back to him will be seamless."

Liam studied Evelyn's reaction carefully. "As for your family... Julian has vanished completely. No leads in six months."

Evelyn's fingers stilled on her coat buttons, her knuckles whitening. The silence stretched between them until Liam couldn't bear it anymore.

"I've been investigating—" he began, only to be interrupted.

"A week," Evelyn said abruptly, answering his initial question. "I've been back a week."

The admission hit Liam like a physical blow - equal parts elation that she'd shared something personal, and devastation that she'd been so close yet hadn't reached out.

Evelyn forced a brittle smile, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "I suppose I owe you an apology," she said with false lightness. "For that... unfortunate incident before I disappeared. I hope General Blackwood can find it in his heart to forgive—"

"Unfortunate incident?" Liam cut in sharply, his brow furrowing.

Evelyn's smile didn't reach her eyes. "You know exactly what I mean."

Liam's expression darkened. "If I hadn't wanted it, do you really think you could have forced me?"

"You clearly didn't," Evelyn countered immediately.

"That's because—" Liam cut himself off, shaking his head with a bitter smile. Explanations seemed pointless now.

The weight of his unfinished sentence pressed heavily on Evelyn's heart. She wanted to be carefree, to pretend none of this mattered, but the question burned too intensely to ignore.

"Is it true?" she asked abruptly. "About you and Victoria?"

Liam's head snapped up. "Where did you hear that?"

"People talk," Evelyn shrugged, her voice carefully neutral. "Even your staff at the base call her 'Mrs. Blackwood' behind your back."

Liam's face drained of color. His silence was more deafening than any words.

To Evelyn, that silence confirmed everything. Her heart shattered anew, but she kept her composure, blinking back tears. "You two seem... well-suited," she managed.

Liam's eyes flashed dangerously. "In your mind, I'm suited with everyone except you, is that it?"

Evelyn flinched at his sudden anger. "Why are you—"

"I've known Victoria for ten years," Liam ground out. "If I'd wanted her, we'd have children in elementary school by now."

Evelyn froze, her breath catching.

Liam checked his watch with deliberate slowness before fixing her with an intense, unwavering stare. When he spoke again, his voice was steel wrapped in velvet: "There's only ever been one woman for me, Evelyn. From the beginning until now. And that will never change."