Chapter 243

Annabelle's eyes instantly reddened.

Just moments ago, she had been treated as an honored guest by Mr. Harrison and his wife, addressed as "Mrs. Hamilton." Now, Alexander had publicly reprimanded her. Her face burned with shame as she instinctively stepped back, covering her cheeks. Tears seeped between her fingers.

The restaurant manager rushed over.

He hovered at the doorway, too afraid to approach. His voice trembled. "Sir, let's talk this through. I'm the manager—please tell me how we can resolve this."

The only response was another agonized scream from the drunkard, followed by the muffled gurgling of water.

The manager wrung his hands in distress. "Sir, should we call the police? If this continues, someone could die!"

Alexander remained unmoved.

The bubbles on the water's surface gradually diminished, nearly disappearing completely.

Beads of sweat formed on the manager's forehead. "Sir, I beg you—"

"Alexander!"

Evelyn strode forward and delivered a sharp slap across his face.

The crisp sound echoed through the private dining room.

Alexander's gold-rimmed glasses sat crooked on his face, his cheek rapidly reddening.

Mr. and Mrs. Harrison gasped. Even Annabelle froze, her tears momentarily forgotten.

"Have you lost your mind? Trying to kill someone in front of all these people?" Evelyn's palm throbbed, her voice icy. "Pull him out now!"

She turned to the waitstaff. "Get some male servers over here to help!"

The manager seized the lifeline, immediately signaling several burly servers to rush forward. Together, they hauled the unconscious drunkard from the water.

The man was soaked and motionless.

"Is he... dead?"

"Oh my god..."

Annabelle clutched Alexander's sleeve in panic. "Alexander, let's go—"

He gently shook her off. "You go if you want."

"What about you?"

"Don't worry about me."

"But—"

"Enough!" Evelyn snapped.

She knelt beside the drunkard, swiftly checking his pupils before loosening his collar. Placing her hands over his chest, she began compressions.

After several pumps, the man suddenly turned his head and vomited a stream of water, coughing violently.

The tension in the room dissolved.

Mrs. Harrison pressed a hand to her chest, murmuring, "Thank goodness Peter's girlfriend is a doctor. That could've ended terribly."

Mr. Harrison's gaze flickered between the group.

He studied Evelyn performing first aid, then Alexander with his reddened cheek, before finally settling on Peter, who had remained silent throughout.

His expression shifted—first admiration, then confusion, and finally wariness.

The drunkard, now able to speak, wailed between coughs. "Murder! Call the police! Arrest him!"

Evelyn stood, wiping sweat from her brow. "If you can yell that loud, you're fine."