Chapter 148

"Auntie! Auntie—"

"Call a doctor, now!"

Mrs. Taylor collapsed, her face deathly pale. Medical staff rushed over with an emergency gurney.

Andy Taylor and Mr. Taylor scrambled after them toward the emergency room, but Alexander Hamilton stayed rooted in place, his dark gaze fixed on me.

"Aren’t you going to help?" I met his eyes. "Andy’s in no state to be useful right now."

His brow furrowed. "Are you okay?"

"Why wouldn’t I be?"

"Did Andy... do anything to you?"

"He tried."

The air around Alexander chilled instantly. "He dared?"

"Empty threats." I adjusted the cuff of my white coat, unfazed. "I’ve dealt with enough hospital troublemakers to know nine out of ten are all bark."

He still looked uneasy. "What if he had actually hit you?"

I pointed to the sleek, metallic machine at the end of the hallway.

Alexander followed my finger, confusion flickering across his face.

"State-of-the-art DNA analyzer. Eight figures." A smirk tugged at my lips. "If he swung, I’d duck behind it. The damages would teach him a lesson he wouldn’t forget."

For a second, Alexander looked like he’d been struck dumb.

"I have my ways with troublemakers."

He exhaled sharply. "Just... glad you’re unharmed."

"We’re not involved anymore. Don’t waste your concern on me." I checked my watch. "Annabelle, though? A miscarriage and today’s drama? You’ll have your hands full comforting her."

"Her problems aren’t mine."

From down the hall, Mr. Taylor’s frantic voice cut in: "Alexander! Hurry!"

I tilted my chin toward the ER. "Andy’s useless. You’d better go."

Alexander studied me intently, his eyes flicking to Gregory Wilson beside me. "Wait for me. We need to talk."

"Alexander!"

"Wait," he insisted.

The moment his back disappeared around the corner, I turned on my heel toward the elevators.

Olivia Lightfoot caught up, practically bouncing. "Dr. Carter! That was so satisfying!"

I flicked her forehead. "Don’t celebrate yet. Pray Mrs. Taylor pulls through."

"Her daughter’s the one who caused this. Why should I care?"

"True," I pressed the elevator button. "But if something does happen to her, could you live with that?"

Olivia pouted, falling silent.

"Think before you act next time."

"...Fine."

I ruffled her hair, smiling. "Still... thank you. For today."

Her grin returned instantly. "That Annabelle’s always rubbed me the wrong way. Her parents seem decent—how’d they raise someone so...?"

"Maybe living abroad made her reckless."

"Reckless doesn’t excuse hurting people."

I nodded. "You’re right."

"Dr. Carter," Olivia dropped her voice, "your ex told you to wait."

The elevator doors slid open. I stepped inside. "Do I seem like the waiting type?"

Today wasn’t even my shift. This circus had already wasted enough of my time.

As for Alexander...

I’d meant it when I said I never wanted to see him again.