Chapter 654

"It was Mr. Hartman… He pushed Ms. Scott. We heard her cry for help, but when we tried to approach, he ordered us to stay back," one of the maids testified. Another added, "We even heard Tessa crying after he hit her. He threatened to throw her into the sea." "We saw Mr. Hartman drag Ms. Scott away with our own eyes. She called for help, but he wouldn't let us intervene!" As the maids, who had always been submissive before him, now united in accusing him, Julian's face turned pale. He cried, "Lies! You're all lying! "Mr. Larson, I'm innocent! These bitches are conspiring against me! Mr. Larson—" Liam watched Julian tremble in fear, his eyes narrowing with cold anger. "I gave you a chance to prove yourself, yet you failed." "Mr. Larson! Please, spare me… Mr. Larson!" Julian begged, but Liam didn't even glance his way. He casually lifted a hand, and the two mercenaries immediately grabbed Julian. Under everyone's view, they threw him overboard into the sea. The maids huddled together in fear as they heard the splash. Liam, having lost interest, turned and headed back into the ship. "Mr. Larson." Tessa, standing outside his room, greeted him as she hurriedly opened the door for him. He glanced around the tidy yet empty room, his brow furrowing. "Where's Maeve?" "Ms. Scott changed her clothes and returned to her room," Tessa quickly replied, sensing his growing displeasure. "Did I give her permission to leave?" Liam's tone grew icy. His words made Tessa panicked. "I'll go get her right away." "No need." Before she could move, Liam added, "I'll go myself." "Mr. Larson!" Tessa called after him, but he was already approaching Maeve's door. He cracked the door open slightly, his sharp ears catching the sound of running water. His frown deepened. "Tessa, is that you?" Maeve's voice came from the bathroom, slightly strained. "Could you help me wash my back? My arm can't get wet." Just then, Tessa caught up to Liam. Seeing that he wasn't planning to enter the room, she explained nervously, "Mr. Larson, Ms. Scott said she needed to wash up because she felt dirty, so…" "Go in and help her," Liam instructed, barely opening the door further before allowing Tessa inside. As he departed without looking back, Tessa exhaled in relief. She hurried into the room, only to find Maeve emerging, already dressed and dry. "Ms. Scott, that was close! Mr. Larson almost came in. If he had found out you weren't bathing but sending a message on your phone, he might have killed you." "He wouldn't have come in," Maeve replied, pulling out the phone she had hidden. Over the past few days, she had learned that Liam stuck to his word. He had promised to respect her boundaries, and she believed he wouldn't violate them. Though Liam often used intimidation tactics, they were more for show than anything else. Earlier, while Liam was dealing with Julian, Maeve had Tessa sneak her to the storage room where she had hidden a phone. She managed to grab Julian's phone too, allowing her to contact Zion and the others. She had barely returned before Liam finished with Julian, nearly getting caught. Tessa asked, "But how did you know Mr. Larson would throw Mr. Hartman into the sea? What if he had spared him?" "A man like him is useless to Liam, and knowing Liam's nature, he'd never let someone who dared to touch his prey," Maeve replied.