Chapter 496

Evelyn let out a cold laugh. "Are you really this naive or just playing dumb?"

"Completely clueless," Liam answered honestly.

Her fingers tightened around the research notes she was holding. "I may be brilliant in my field, but when it comes to political games and manipulation? I'm utterly defenseless."

Liam looked genuinely perplexed. Gently, he turned her to face him, cradling her face between his hands. His dark eyes searched hers intently. "No one will ever outmaneuver you while I'm here."

With a sharp movement, Evelyn broke free from his grasp. She took two steps back, her emerald eyes flashing with anger. "That's rich coming from you. You're exactly why Victoria just played me like a fiddle."

Confusion and hurt flickered across Liam's handsome features.

Seeing his blank expression only fueled Evelyn's frustration. She shoved against his chest with surprising force. "If anything happens to our baby because of your carelessness, I swear to God, Liam Blackwood, I'll divorce you so fast your head will spin."

The word "divorce" hit Liam like a physical blow. Before he could respond, Evelyn had already turned on her heel and stormed away.

Liam didn't hesitate. Snatching his military coat, he sprinted after her. By the time he reached the parking lot, Rosalind was already holding the car door open for Evelyn. "General Blackwood, don't worry," Rosalind assured him smoothly. "I'll get Ms. Wright back to base safely."

"Like hell," Liam growled, yanking open the opposite door and sliding into the backseat beside Evelyn.

The entire ride back to the military compound passed in suffocating silence. Evelyn kept her face turned resolutely toward the window, ignoring Liam's attempts to take her hand. Each rejection made his jaw tighten further.

Back at base, Evelyn disappeared into her quarters without a backward glance. That night, Liam's calls and texts went unanswered until finally, her phone was turned off completely.

Morning found Evelyn dressed and ready before dawn. She couldn't afford distractions today - not with the weapons prototype due for testing.

The research lab buzzed with unusual energy when she arrived. Colleagues swarmed her the moment she stepped through the door.

"Cassandra! Is it true?" Ethan Reynolds practically bounced with excitement. "You actually married the Ice General?"

Evelyn's eyes widened. "How on earth did you all—"

"News travels fast in the science division," Ethan grinned, nudging her shoulder.

"Come on, give us details! Who proposed to whom?"

"Was it a shotgun wedding? You can tell us!"

"Does this mean we'll be seeing General Blackwood lurking around here more often?"

Evelyn opened her mouth to respond when a heavy stack of files slammed onto her workstation with enough force to make everyone jump. Her stomach lurched as she looked up into the scowling face of Theodore Graves.

Ethan shot the team leader a disapproving look. "That was completely unnecessary, Theo. Cassandra's pregnant, for God's sake. You could have—"

"If she's pregnant," Theodore interrupted coldly, "then she should take her maternity leave now. This isn't some hobby you can pick up and drop whenever you please, Wright. Where the hell have you been all week?"

Evelyn counted to five before answering. "I got married."

"Did you file the proper leave request?" Theodore demanded, his voice rising.

Evelyn glanced around at her colleagues, but their sympathetic expressions offered little comfort against Theodore's wrath.