Chapter 75

Regaining his composure, Liam recognized he'd reacted too strongly. His emotions had gotten the better of him.

He rose to his feet, clearing his throat. "Tell me," he demanded in a grave tone, "what details do you recall about your attacker? Male or female?"

Evelyn furrowed her brow in concentration before shaking her head. "All black clothing - hat and mask completely concealed their face."

"Height? Build?" Liam pressed.

Before Evelyn could respond, a shrill voice cut through the tension.

"Liam! There you are!" Victoria burst into the hospital room, her eyes wide with feigned concern. "The entire place is swarming with security! What on earth happened?"

Evelyn lowered her gaze, suddenly finding the hospital blanket fascinating.

Victoria's attention snapped to Evelyn, her gasp theatrically loud. "Good heavens, Evelyn! You're injured?" Her saccharine tone dripped with false sympathy. "However did this happen? Does it hurt terribly?"

"I'm fine," Evelyn replied flatly.

Turning back to Liam with exaggerated worry, Victoria pressed, "Liam darling, what's going on here?"

"An ongoing investigation," Liam answered tersely.

Victoria blinked rapidly. "Evelyn, did you anger someone important?" she inquired with faux innocence.

Evelyn's jaw tightened. "Who exactly would I have offended?"

"Oh, who knows?" Victoria trilled. "My uncle mentioned how before you ensnared Liam, you were quite... active in the dating scene. You must have stepped on plenty of toes with that attitude of yours."

Heat rose in Evelyn's cheeks, but she remained silent under Liam's watchful gaze. The humiliation burned like acid in her throat.

Victoria continued gleefully, "Perhaps it's an old flame from the base? Someone you scorned who can't bear seeing you married to our dear Liam."

Evelyn's hands clenched the sheets. "What makes you say that?"

Victoria's laugh tinkled like breaking glass. "Well, it certainly couldn't be one of Liam's enemies. Everyone knows his feelings about you. Why would they target you?"

Through gritted teeth, Evelyn managed, "Ms. Dawson, with that vivid imagination, you should consider writing fiction."

Victoria opened her mouth to retort, but Liam's expression darkened dangerously.

His hand shot out, gripping Victoria's wrist with bruising force. "Outside. Now," he growled, the barely contained fury making his voice vibrate.

Victoria winced but managed a saccharine smile at Evelyn. "Do rest well, darling. Liam and I will just—"

"Move." Liam practically dragged her from the room before she could finish.

Alone again, Evelyn pulled the blanket over her head, silent sobs wracking her body. Her past clung to her like a second skin - dirty, shameful, unworthy of a man like Liam.

What had she been thinking? A man of Liam's stature could never truly care for someone like her. The realization carved hollow spaces in her chest.

Meanwhile, Liam shoved Victoria against the corridor wall with enough force to make her gasp.

"Ow! Liam, that hurt!" Victoria whined, rubbing her wrist dramatically.

Liam paced like a caged predator, running a hand through his hair. "What the hell was that display?" he demanded through clenched teeth.

Victoria blinked innocently. "Whatever do you mean?"

"Your complete lack of basic human decency," Liam snapped. "That woman was attacked, and you're making snide remarks?"

Victoria pouted. "I was just stating facts. Everyone knows about her... colorful past."

Liam's eyes turned glacial. "One more word about Evelyn's past, and I'll have you removed from this facility. Permanently."

Victoria's mouth opened and closed like a fish. For the first time, genuine fear flickered in her eyes as she recognized the dangerous glint in Liam's gaze. This wasn't the childhood friend she could manipulate - this was Commander Blackwood in full wrath.