Liam had known Soren would ask the question–Soren already knew the answer.
Hearing what it was all about, Liam felt a pang of guilt, but the fear had mostly faded. There was no point hiding it anymore, so he answered honestly, “It was Evangeline.”
Soren’s fists clenched, his eyes burning with rage. In one swift motion, he grabbed Liam by the collar and hauled him off his feet. “Why did you do it?”
Liam swallowed hard. “Soren, I kept it from you for your own good.”
Soren let out a cold laugh. “For my own good?”
“Think about it,” Liam said, voice low. “Did it ever cross your mind that the car accident–and even the miscarriage–might have been Evangeline’s way of
manipulating you?”
Soren froze, his grip loosening a fraction.
Liam pressed on. “Soren, just think about it. That was the day Poppy came back, wasn’t it? And what a coincidence–Evangeline just happened to run into Poppy that very same day.”
“And not only that, but they both ended up at the same hospital. That’s pretty convenient, don’t you think?”
“I suspect she tried to hurt Poppy, but ended up losing her own child instead. Then, after realizing the baby was gone, she tried to blame Poppy, so she made sure they were at the same hospital.”
“It’s obvious she wanted to compete with Poppy for your affection.”
It sounded like something straight out of a novel: a woman desperate to win a man’s heart, willing to do whatever it takes.
Evangeline had been a housewife for five years, living under the shadow of Soren’s affection for Poppy, stifled and resentful. Liam had no trouble believing she was capable of something like this.
But Soren didn’t seem convinced. His gaze was scornful. “You’re saying Evangeline was so jealous she risked her own child’s life?”
He had wondered about it before. But no matter how cold Evangeline could be, he couldn’t imagine her gambling with her own child’s life. The crash had been brutal. Besides…
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“At the time, Evangeline’s car was in front. How could she have hurt anyone?” Soren’s
voice was cold.
Liam paused, thinking it through. “If someone’s determined enough, it doesn’t matter if they’re ahead or behind–they’ll find a way.”
“Didn’t she pay someone to hurt Poppy before?”
Soren hesitated at that. There had been that incident–Poppy had been kidnapped, nearly ruined. Evangeline had denied any involvement, but Soren had found unexplained payments leaving her account every month. Coincidentally, Poppy’s life abroad had been filled with obstacles, but once he cut off Evangeline’s funds, things had suddenly improved for Poppy. He’d always suspected Evangeline’s jealousy had led her to hire someone to hurt Poppy.
Still, he couldn’t believe she’d do something this reckless.
Seeing Soren’s doubts, Liam added, “I know what you’re thinking. You don’t believe Evangeline would ever hurt her own child.”
“But have you considered that, as long as she can win your heart, what does one child matter? If she has you, she can have as many children as she wants. And I think her plan’s already working.”
“Right now, aren’t you feeling sorry for her? Don’t you feel guilty, like she’s been wronged?”
“That’s exactly it. Look at you–getting violent with me for her sake, worrying about her. She’s already got what she wanted.”
Liam couldn’t help but marvel at how clever Evangeline’s move had been. In all the years he’d known Soren, he had never seen him so worked up over her.
Soren’s eyes softened for a moment, but then he snorted. “That’s just your version of the story.”
“If this was just some scheme, why would she be the one to file for divorce?”
The mention of the divorce left a bitter taste in Soren’s mouth. He remembered the cold, emotionless look in Evangeline’s eyes when she’d handed him the papers. That hadn’t been an act.
Liam shrugged. “A divorce is just a piece of paper. With your power, Soren, you could take it back anytime you wanted.”
“And tonight, your grandmother gave her shares of the family business. Clearly, she
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wants you two to get back together.”
“I also heard that before the party tonight, Evangeline and your grandmother had a private meeting.”
“Doesn’t that strike you as odd? Your grandmother has always wanted you and Evangeline together. So why did she so easily agree to the divorce? When the news broke at the party, she acted like it was no big deal.”
“But if you think about it, maybe she already had a plan to get you two back together. Suddenly, it all makes sense.”
Liam laid out his reasoning, calm and methodical, watching Soren’s anger slowly subside.
As Soren’s grip loosened, Liam carefully pried his hand off his collar, relief washing over him. Soren had hit him hard just now–he hadn’t been kidding around. Liam’s collar still felt tight against his throat, leaving him gasping for air. Any longer and he might have actually passed out.
Finally, Soren let go, and Liam nearly sagged with relief.
For a moment, he thought he’d managed to convince Soren. But before he could catch his breath, Soren’s fist connected hard with his jaw.
Liam clutched his now–swollen face, on the verge of tears. “Soren, I’m telling the truth! Why’d you have to hit me?”
