#Chapter 16: Under Pressure

Aria’s POV Sophia stormed into Liam’s office, her heels clicking sharply against the floor, the tension rising with each step. I watched from the chair across from Liam’s desk, arms folded, knowing exactly what was coming. "Liam," she began, her voice high-pitched, almost whiny, as she rounded the corner of his desk, planting both hands on it as if to emphasize the gravity of her complaint. "It’s been *weeks* since you’ve visited William." She dragged out the word weeks, her voice rising. "He’s been asking about you ever since he got sick. He thinks you don’t care anymore." I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Sophia was laying it on thick, playing the victim card as she always did. Liam, sitting behind his desk, didn’t so much as flinch. His expression remained impassive, unreadable. His hand lingered on the pen he’d been holding, but he didn’t put it down. "I’ve been busy, Sophia," he said flatly, his gaze flicking back to the paperwork as though dismissing her. "You