Chapter 693

No.1

Evelyn almost laughed.

She only needed to look at them—Isabella practically draped over Alexander, their hands nearly touching on the sheets.

No relationship?

When she remained silent, Alexander continued, "As for your job, your probation period is terminated."

Evelyn's head snapped up, shock flashing in her eyes.

"With your current performance," Alexander sneered, "do you even deserve to be a journalist?"

"What performance?" She lifted her chin in defiance.

Alexander's eyes darkened.

No.2

Always this way—outwardly compliant, yet challenging him at every turn.

"Your first article was libelous. Now you nearly got yourself assaulted during an interview." His voice turned icy. "If I hadn't arrived, would you have just—"

When the doctor revealed the drug's effects, he'd nearly put a bullet through Ryan Holt right then.

"After all the Kingsleys have done for you, this is how you repay us?"

The air turned frigid.

"Lord Alex," Evelyn finally spoke, "the Kingsleys' generosity and my parents' sacrifices for your family cancel each other out."

This was the first time she'd invoked her parents' legacy. Once, she'd feared being accused of exploiting their memory. Now, she wielded it like a blade to sever ties.

"From today onward, I live by my own strength." Her quiet words cut deeper than any shout.

No.3

Evelyn yanked out her IV.

Blood bloomed on the white sheets like crimson petals.

"If you think I libeled you, sue me. As a journalist, I'll face the consequences." She stood. "No need for your concern."

Bodyguards blocked the exit. Without Alexander's order, no one dared let her pass.

"Evelyn," Isabella simpered, "you mustn't upset Alex in his condition. Don't be unreasonable."

Evelyn watched her performance coldly.

This mastermind now played the peacemaker.

Ignoring her, Evelyn turned to Ethan. "Where's my bag?"

No.4

After checking her belongings, she sat on the cot's edge, packing methodically while tuning out Isabella's theatrics.

"Alex, time for your medicine..."

"Should I peel you an apple?"

"Which script do you think suits me best?"

Isabella's tinkling laughter grated, but Evelyn refused to react.

"Any charging cables?" she asked Ethan.

Ethan glanced at Alexander.

"Get it yourself," Alexander snapped.

No.5

Evelyn acted as if she hadn't heard.

Isabella jumped up. "Let me hel—"

"Help with what?" Eleanor Kingsley's cheerful voice rang from the doorway. "My, has this become a shared room?"

Behind her, Julian Ashford's silhouette came into clear view.

"Mom..."

Alexander finally understood where Evelyn got her stubbornness.

Eleanor Kingsley had actually brought Julian Ashford into the hospital room!

Was she deliberately stirring up trouble?

No.6

"Alex, this is unacceptable," Eleanor scolded without hesitation. "I found Mr. Ashford waiting outside when I arrived. He came specifically to see you, and you left him standing there?"

She pushed past Ethan Miller to sit beside Evelyn's bed. "Evelyn, what happened? I heard you fainted. No job is worth sacrificing your health."

She took Evelyn's hand and frowned. "Why are your hands so cold?"

Her sharp gaze immediately turned toward Alexander.

Isabella Winslow had already sprung away from his bedside, sitting rigidly upright.

The memory of Eleanor's previous public humiliation still fresh, the actress regarded the unpredictable socialite with visible fear.

"Hmph," Eleanor sneered. "When your heart turns cold, of course your hands would freeze."

Alexander found his mother utterly unreasonable.

No.7

"Mom—"

"Don't call me that! I should've birthed a dumpling instead!" Eleanor's temper flared.

She'd thought her son finally came to his senses by arranging their shared hospital room.