Chapter 479

Evelyn didn't shed a single tear. Yet now, her eyes shimmered with unshed tears of heartache. She bit her trembling lip, gazing at Liam with wounded defiance through her glassy eyes.

Her chest felt unbearably tight. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she whispered, "Tell me, how have I ever wronged you?"

Liam let out a bitter chuckle, his own eyes reddening. "You're allowed to reject me," he rasped, "but you don't get to shove me toward another woman." His fingers dug painfully into her shoulders as he spoke.

She weakly pried his hands from her chest. With a hollow laugh, she countered, "You're practically inseparable already. Why would I need to push you?"

His breathing grew ragged, anguish darkening his features. "Cassandra Wright," he ground out, "why did you return? Why did you have to reappear in my life? Is this some cruel punishment?" His grip tightened until she winced.

Protectively, Evelyn's hand drifted to her abdomen. She lifted her tear-streaked face to meet his gaze.

In a voice like ice, she murmured, "You want to know why? Then tell me - can you transfer Victoria away? Somewhere distant, preferably never to cross paths again? Do that, and I'll reveal everything."

Liam stiffened. "She was assigned by the President himself. I don't have that authority."

The President? Harrison Pierce himself?

A joyless smile twisted Evelyn's lips. The disappointment cut deep. "General Blackwood," she said quietly, "you're hurting me."

Realizing his loss of control, Liam immediately released her. Evelyn rubbed her sore arms before stepping back. She discreetly wiped her damp cheeks, composing herself.

When she looked up again, her expression was schooled into calm indifference despite the storm inside.

"There's a kind of love called unrequited affection, General," she said evenly. "You're aware of Victoria's feelings, yet you accept her attentions willingly."

"You spend every waking moment together, feeding her false hopes. Even if you don't reciprocate, you're keeping her as your backup option." Liam's hands clenched into fists. "Our relationship is strictly professional."

Evelyn arched a brow. "She clearly doesn't see it that way. Her behavior crosses every professional boundary. How do you justify that?"

Confusion flickered across Liam's face. Why would someone who claimed not to love him care about his female assistant?

"What exactly are you implying?" he demanded.

Evelyn considered her words carefully. "General Blackwood, hypothetically - if someone you cared for asked you to dismiss an employee they disliked, what would you do?"

"On what grounds?"

"No grounds. Simply because they wished it."

Liam's jaw tightened. "I don't mix personal matters with professional duties. I won't abuse my position to persecute subordinates."

The bittersweet smile returned. Of course he'd say that. This was the Liam she admired - principled, just, unwavering in his morals.

Hadn't he always been this way?

The disappointment stung, but she couldn't fault him. He wasn't the one at fault here.

There was a woman so devoted she'd sacrificed rank and salary just to stand by his side. He was merely doing his job - what crime was that?

Evelyn understood too much now. But for her child's safety, she had to maintain this charade. Though her eyes still glistened, she managed a serene smile. "Let's not discuss feelings anymore, General."

Liam's expression darkened with palpable sorrow.

After a weighted pause, Evelyn slipped her hands into her pockets. "For the next few months at least," she said softly, "let's keep our interactions strictly professional. No private meetings outside work matters."