Chapter 169

"Are you alright, miss?" The waiter stammered an apology.

Evelyn Carter barely had time to react before Peter Harrison stepped in front of her.

Shards of glass scattered across the floor. Scalding hot soup arced through the air like a dangerous projectile.

His beige polo shirt was splattered with brown stains. The gray sweatpants fared worse—the entire right leg was soaked through, steam rising from the fabric.

"Burns!"

Without hesitation, Evelyn grabbed Peter's arm and pulled him away.

Behind them, the waiter called out, "Do you need a towel—"

"Where's the restroom?"

"Straight ahead, then turn right at the end."

Peter's breathing grew noticeably labored. "Evelyn, slow down..."

She crouched and gently lifted his pant leg.

Even with the lightest touch, she could feel his muscles tense instantly.

"Fabric sticks to burns. We need cold water now."

Beads of sweat formed on Peter's forehead. "I can handle it. A female doctor shouldn't go into the men's room—"

"Stop arguing. Can you walk?"

"Barely."

"Lean on me. Hurry."

At the restroom entrance, Peter hesitated. Evelyn had already rushed to the sink and turned on the faucet.

"Stay still. Let me roll this up."

"I can do it—"

"Don't be stubborn."

The fabric clung to the wound. Every tug made Peter suck in a sharp breath.

"These pants are too tight. We need to tear them."

"Fine."

Without scissors, Evelyn used her teeth to rip an opening, then pulled with both hands.

Rrrrip—

The pant leg split open above the knee.

The burned skin had turned red and blistered. She guided his leg into the sink filled with cold water.

"Hang in there."

Peter clenched his jaw and nodded.

Just then, Vincent Wilson's panicked voice came from outside. "Alex, what are you doing here?"

"Why are you blocking the door?"

"It's—it's under maintenance!"

"Move."

"Seriously, you can't—"

Alexander Hamilton pushed past him and strode inside.