Chapter 91

Victoria's face drained of color as confusion twisted her features.

The crowd erupted in murmurs when they realized Evelyn had been falsely accused. Their angry gazes turned toward Victoria like daggers.

Victoria rushed to Liam's side, clutching his arm desperately. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she pleaded, "Liam, please let me explain."

Liam shook her off violently. "Save your explanations for Inspector Reeves."

"It wasn't intentional, Liam!" Victoria sobbed hysterically.

"Ryan, remove her," Liam commanded coldly before turning away.

Evelyn rose slowly, her eyes filled with gratitude and longing as she watched Liam's retreating figure.

He disappeared as quickly as he'd appeared, leaving Evelyn no chance to thank him.

Ryan approached Damian with military precision. "Inspector Reeves, please take the woman who falsely accused Mrs. Blackwood into custody and vacate the premises immediately."

Victoria ran to Ryan, tears staining her cheeks. "Ryan, please! Tell Liam to give me one more chance!"

Ryan's expression hardened. "Ms. Dawson, General Blackwood already gave you the opportunity to drop this. You chose to waste it."

Victoria opened her mouth but no words came out.

Damien scowled and barked, "Fall back!"

Within moments, all police officers lowered their weapons and withdrew.

Ryan called after them pointedly, "Inspector Reeves! Don't forget to take Ms. Dawson with you."

Damien turned back with a scowl, grabbing Victoria's arm roughly. "You're coming to the station."

Victoria shot Evelyn a venomous glare before being dragged away.

Adrian approached Evelyn quietly. He checked his watch before explaining, "My apologies, Mrs. Blackwood. General Blackwood has a crucial meeting in Miston by noon. He's racing against time now."

Understanding dawned on Evelyn - she'd disrupted his important duties.

She nodded contritely. "Please convey my gratitude to General Blackwood and my apologies for interfering with his schedule."

Adrian looked surprised by the formality between husband and wife.

"Of course." He turned and jogged to catch up with Liam.

After ensuring the police departure, Ryan returned to Evelyn's side. "Mrs. Blackwood, the General has never been late to anything before. Not once in fifteen years of service. Yet he delayed this critical meeting for you."

Guilt washed over Evelyn, but greater than that was her worry about potential repercussions Liam might face.

"I'm so sorry..." she murmured.

Ryan smiled gently. "No need for apologies, Mrs. Blackwood. The General will return tonight."

With that, he sprinted after Liam.

Witnesses to the incident approached Evelyn with words of comfort and support.

After thanking them, Evelyn retreated to her room and locked the door.

She'd planned to meet with the professors about the Azurium project, but after the day's events, academic discussions were the last thing on her mind.

Evelyn waited for Liam all night, finally succumbing to exhaustion near dawn.

In her half-asleep state, she felt gentle fingers brushing her hand.

Blinking awake, she found Liam's handsome face inches from hers. He was carefully rewrapping the bandage on her palm with surprising tenderness.

Her heart stuttered at his touch, electricity sparking where their skin met.

This wasn't a dream. Liam had truly returned.

Her pulse quickened beneath his ministrations.

"Liam? You're back?" Evelyn murmured sleepily, her soft voice caressing his ears in the quiet room.