Chapter 183
Chapter 183:
Beatrice Kensington sat in the morning room of the Manor, spine stiff against the brocade chair. She folded the newspaper with precise, angry movements and set it on the silver breakfast tray beside her untouched tea.
“This is a disaster,” she declared to the empty room. “An absolute, unmitigated disaster p>
The door opened, and Liam walked in.
He looked like a corpse dragged through a swamp. He was still wearing the clothes from the beach—mud-stained trousers and a shirt torn at the collar. He hadn’t shaved, and his eyes were rimmed with red, raw exhaustion. In one hand, he held a plastic bag containing a single shoe.
“You’re still here,” Liam said, his voice devoid of inflection. “I thought I sent you to Shadow Pines. I signed the power of attorney papers p>
“I had the board revoke them,” Beatrice snapped, tapping her cane against the floor. “While you were out playing in the sand for twelve hours, ignoring your duties, I convened an emergency vote. They declared you temporarily emotionally compromised due to grief. I am acting CEO until further notice. Did you really think you could lock me away while the company burns p>
“Skye is dead,” Liam said.
He walked to the fireplace and placed the plastic bag on the mantel, staring at it. “And you’re worried about the stock price p>
“I am worried about the legacy!” Beatrice slammed her hand on the table. “We need to control the narrative. We need sympathy, Liam. Not scandal p>
She stood and smoothed her skirt. “I have arranged the memorial service. It will be held in three days at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. It needs to be grand. Tasteful. A grieving husband, a tragic accident. The public eats that up p>
“No,” Liam said. He didn’t turn around. “There will be no funeral. She’s not dead until I see a body p>
“There is no body!” Beatrice shouted, losing her composure. “She blew up, Liam! She is fish food! Accept it and do your duty p>
Liam turned slowly. The look in his eyes made Beatrice step back. It wasn’t anger. It was hatred. Pure, distilled hatred.
у𝗈𝗎𝗋 ո𝗲𝗑𝗍 𝘳e𝗮d 𝗶s оո 𝗯𝘦𝗹ո𝘰𝘃𝗲l𝘴.cо𝗆
“If you say one more word,” Liam whispered, “I will kill you p>
The door opened again, breaking the suffocating tension.
Seraphina Miller walked in.
She wore a loose, cream-colored maternity dress she didn’t need yet, her hand resting protectively on her flat stomach. She looked pale, her eyes wide and fearful.
“Liam?” she said softly. “I… I heard shouting. Is everything okay p>
Liam looked at her. For a moment, he didn’t recognize her. She looked like a stranger. A parasitic stranger living in his house.
“What is she doing here?” Liam asked Beatrice, pointing a shaking finger at Seraphina. “I gave strict orders. The guards were supposed to keep her locked in the guest wing until the birth p>
“I countermanded those orders,” Beatrice said, regaining her icy demeanor. “With Skye gone, this child is the only future we have. You cannot treat the mother of the heir like a prisoner. Seraphina will move into the main suite for her health. The stress of the guest wing is bad for the baby p>
“No,” Liam said. “Get out p>
Seraphina walked toward him, tears swelling in her eyes. “Liam, please. I’m scared. I know you’re hurting, but we’re hurting too. The baby can feel my stress. Don’t you want your son to be safe p>