Chapter 1309

No.1

Alexander hesitated for half a step before continuing forward.

He threw open the hospital room door to find Evelyn walking toward him, bag in hand.

"Evelyn." He shut the door behind him, blocking the exit.

"Give me my phone." Her eyes remained red-rimmed, but her voice steadied.

"You took the day off." He stood his ground. "You promised."

"What happened back there—you can ignore it. I can't."

"I'm not ignoring anything." His gaze flickered involuntarily toward the hospital bed.

No.2

The phone lay there.

He'd left it in his haste.

Thank God she hadn't noticed yet...

Evelyn caught the direction of his glance.

She turned just as Alexander moved.

Alexander Kingsley rushed to the hospital bed in three quick strides and grabbed the glowing phone.

The elevator dinged open at the same moment.

No.3

He whirled around just in time to catch a glimpse of Evelyn Sinclair's coat disappearing through the doors.

"Evelyn!" Alexander sprinted after her. "Stop!"

The VIP ward hallway stretched empty and silent, their footsteps echoing sharply.

Evelyn reached the elevator, stabbing the down button repeatedly.

"I won't chase you," Alexander suddenly halted, holding up the phone. "It's Mom calling."

The elevator took forever. When Evelyn glanced back, she recognized the flashing name on the screen.

She bit her lower lip, conflict flashing in her eyes.

No.4

Alexander seized the chance to step closer. "No one can hurt you while I'm here."

Evelyn laughed then—a bitter, broken sound.

"Hurt?" she whispered.

Hadn't the deepest wounds been carved by the man standing before her?

"Mom's waiting." Alexander advanced again, the phone screen glinting in her face.

The elevator doors finally parted, revealing impatient passengers inside.

Evelyn took a deep breath and released the button.

No.5

As the doors began closing, she stretched her hand toward Alexander—

He lunged forward like an arrow, shoving the phone into her palm while seizing her wrist, yanking her against his chest.

"Answer it," his hoarse command burned her ear.

Eleanor Kingsley's frantic voice crackled through: "Evelyn, is Alexander with you?"

"He is." Evelyn lifted her gaze to meet Alexander's dark, unreadable eyes.

"Grandmother fainted! I couldn't reach Alexander, so I—"

Evelyn passed the phone to him. "Your mother needs you."

No.6

Madeline Kingsley's condition no longer concerned her.

"Hn." Alexander's voice turned glacial. "The hospital will handle it."

"But this will reflect poorly on Evelyn!" Eleanor protested. "People will say she's driving a wedge between—"

"Then fire them." His words dripped ice. "I won't tolerate gossip."

"You—" Eleanor faltered. "Some issues can't be solved with terminations."

"Should I let her keep tormenting Evelyn?" Alexander tightened his grip. "How many times must this happen?"

The woman in his arms trembled slightly, reminding him of her tear-streaked face moments ago.

No.7

In that instant, he'd heard it—the shattering of his own heart.

The phone line remained silent for a long moment.

Eleanor Kingsley finally spoke. "If you insist, I won't force the matter."

"Insist?" Alexander Kingsley's voice rose sharply. "Can't you see how terrified Evelyn is right now?"

He rarely lost his temper with family.

But Eleanor was different.