Chapter 54

“The woman is dangerously obsessed with Asher,” Alexander said angrily. “She’s pursued him for ten years. In that time, Asher has probably exchanged fewer than ten sentences with her. Her mental state is clearly unstable. Thalia, she likely acted out of jealousy—hating you for ‘taking’ Asher from her.”

Lady Blackwood’s chest heaved with fury. “A complete lunatic! If anything happens to my son, I swear I’ll make her pay!”

Lady Blackwood’s expression darkened as she glared at her daughter-in-law. “Victoria! Asher is still in surgery. How dare you speak as if something might happen? What kind of mother are you? Are you wishing ill on your own son?”

Lady Blackwood’s eyes were red-rimmed. “Mother… I didn’t mean it that way…”

Fresh tears streamed down her face.

Lord Blackwood gave her a reproachful look. “Stop crying. Our son is fighting for his life. Your tears are bringing bad energy at a time like this.”

Thalia had no capacity to listen to their bickering. Each minute—each second—stretched into an eternity of torture. Self-reproach, regret, anxiety, and fear engulfed her. The emotional weight pressed against her chest, making her heart ache and breathing difficult. The sensation resembled the suffocating feeling of drowning—a desperate need for air that wouldn’t come.

The minutes ticked agonizingly slowly. The sun began to set.

After what felt like an eternity, the operating theatre doors finally opened. Lady Blackwood Jr. was the first to rush forward. “Doctor, how is my son?” The others quickly gathered around. Thalia’s hands trembled uncontrollably, her palms cold and sweaty, her heart suspended between hope and dread.

The surgeon removed his mask, his tired face breaking into a relieved smile. “He’s out of danger now.”

Collective sighs of relief echoed through the corridor. Thalia’s tightly wound nerves finally began to loosen.

Asher was transferred to the ICU. The doctor explained he needed to remain there for a few days to prevent post-operative infection.

With the immediate crisis past, Lord Blackwood Sr. began to examine the day’s events more critically. He fixed Lord Blackwood with a stern gaze. “How did that woman infiltrate the estate? The security is supposedly impenetrable—no one should be able to enter without an invitation. What have you found out?”

Lord Blackwood suddenly remembered the numerous calls he’d received that afternoon, which he’d been too distressed to answer. “Let me check on the investigation,” he said, making a call.

After the conversation, he explained: “She entered as Damian Walsh’s guest. Security footage shows she was wearing a mask, claiming a cold. Since Walsh personally vouched for her, the guards didn’t feel they could ask her to remove it.”

Lord Blackwood Sr. frowned. “The Walsh family?”

“Their explanation is that Damian has been abroad for years and only recently returned to London. He claims he wasn’t aware of the woman’s history with Asher.”

Lord Blackwood Sr.’s eyes grew cold. “A conveniently perfect explanation. This is clearly more complicated than it appears. Keep digging.”

“Of course.”

Randolph, who had restrained his anger while Asher’s life hung in the balance, now spoke forcefully. His voice rose slightly. “What’s the story with this obsessed woman? My daughter never provoked her, yet she kidnaps my younger child and stabs people! Has she no respect for the law?”

After a moment of silence, Lord Blackwood Sr. turned his penetrating gaze to Thalia. “Tell me, what exactly happened on that rooftop? How did Asher get injured?”

Thalia lowered her head. “It was entirely my fault.”

Lady Blackwood Jr. looked at her sharply. “Thalia, what do you mean by that?”

Thalia recounted the events.

Lady Blackwood’s tone turned accusatory. “So Asher took the knife meant for you?”

Thalia’s lips tightened. “Yes.”

Lady Blackwood spoke with obvious displeasure. “Thalia, you were far too impulsive. We had already called the police, and security was on its way. Couldn’t you have waited? If you hadn’t acted so rashly, Asher wouldn’t have been injured needlessly.”

“I’m so sorry, Lady Blackwood. It was entirely my fault,” Thalia responded, her voice strained, her head bowed.

Lady Blackwood pressed on. “Causing such trouble before you’ve even officially joined the family.”

Randolph’s expression darkened. “Lady Blackwood, what exactly are you implying? This entire situation stems from someone obsessed with your son. My daughter is the victim here, yet you’re blaming her?”

He continued coldly, “Easy for you to say she should have waited. My younger daughter was kidnapped with a knife at her throat, and the kidnapper threatened to kill her if Thalia didn’t come. You speak as if this is some trivial matter.”

“Security guards?” Randolph laughed bitterly. “Since you mention security, let me ask you—what exactly were your guards doing? How could a woman so easily kidnap Lucy in broad daylight? Were your guards there to rescue people or to collect bodies? Lucy is Thalia’s sister—her urgency to save her is now somehow a fault?”

Randolph was genuinely furious. Not only had the engagement ceremony been ruined, but his younger daughter had been kidnapped, and his elder daughter had nearly been killed trying to rescue her. They were the victims, yet were being blamed and accused—there was no justice in such twisted logic.

Not allowing anyone else to speak, he continued challenging Lady Blackwood: “You criticize Thalia for acting impulsively, but if it had been your son with a knife at his throat, would you have remained so perfectly calm and rational?”

“And this talk about Asher taking the knife for Thalia—are you suggesting the blade should have found my daughter instead?”

“This is absurd. The culprit is obvious, yet you’re blaming my daughter, who is also a victim. Does the Blackwood family subscribe to victim-blaming?”

Lord Blackwood Sr. cleared his throat pointedly. “Ahem.”

“Randolph, please calm down. This situation is certainly not Thalia’s fault.” His sharp gaze turned toward Lady Blackwood. “What kind of unreasonable statements are you making?”

Lady Blackwood was too incensed to bear this criticism. Her chest heaved with indignation. “Fine! Now you’re blaming me too! I won’t argue with you anymore!”

She turned and walked away.

“Randolph, please don’t be too upset. This incident was clearly a security failure on our part,” Lord Blackwood Sr. said reasonably.

Randolph composed himself, though his expression remained cold. “Since Asher is out of danger, I’ll be leaving now. Lucy is traumatized, and I need to check on her.”

Lord Blackwood Sr. nodded and said to his son, “See Randolph out.”

As Thalia moved to see Asher, Randolph’s face remained stern. “Thalia, come home with me. I don’t want them blaming you if there’s any change in Asher’s condition.”

This statement caused visible discomfort among the Blackwoods, but after Lady Blackwood’s harsh words, they understood why the Winters might feel alienated. They could hardly object.

Thalia looked at her father with conflicted emotion. “Dad…”