---- Chapter 16 Clara was in the middle of a livestream. She had cultivated a significant online following, playing the part of the chic, independent female architect who had it all. Tonight, she was doing a "day in the life" stream from her sleek, minimalist apartment. "And so, the key to work-life balance," she was saying, smiling sweetly into her phone's camera, "is to be passionate about what you do. When you love your work, it doesn't feel like work at all." Her comment section was flooded with heart emojis and praise. "You're such an inspiration, Clara!" "Queen!" She laughed, a practiced, humble sound. "You guys are too sweet. I'm just a girl trying to build her dreams." She subtly shifted her position, making sure the camera caught the slight curve of her belly. "And my dreams are just getting bigger these days." The comments exploded. "OMG is she pregnant?!" "Who's the daddy?!" Clara just smiled mysteriously, fanning the flames of speculation. She was a master at manipulating her public image. ---- Suddenly, the door to her apartment burst open. Liam stood there, flanked by two large men in dark suits. He wasn't smiling. His face was a thundercloud, his eyes cold and hard. The livestream comments went wild. "It's Liam Kane!" "| KNEW IT!" "The plot thickens!" Clara's practiced smile faltered for a second. "Liam! Darling, what a surprise," she said, trying to recover her composure. She walked toward him, her arms outstretched, ready for a loving embrace for her audience. "Everyone, look who decided to crash my party!" Liam didn't move. He just watched her approach with a look of pure loathing. She reached him, putting her hands on his chest. "What's wrong, baby?" she whispered, her smile now just for him. "You look upset." He pushed her away, a single, sharp shove that sent her stumbling backward. The two men moved with terrifying speed. One of them snatched the phone from her hand, keeping the camera rolling. The other grabbed her by the arms, his grip like iron. "Liam! What are you doing?!" she shrieked, the fear finally breaking through her polished facade. "You're hurting me!" The man holding her forced her to her knees on the cold, hard floor of her own apartment. She knelt there, her expensive silk ---- pajamas now wrinkled, her hair a mess, looking up at Liam with wide, terrified eyes. The entire thing was being broadcast live to her thousands of followers. The comments were a blur of shocked emojis and frantic questions. Liam took a step forward, looming over her. He raised his hand. The camera, held steady by his security man, captured every detail of the raw, uncontrolled fury on his face.