Chapter 401

"Room service? At this hour?"

Alexander Hamilton strode toward the door. "I ordered something. It must have arrived."

The doorbell kept ringing insistently.

Evelyn Carter rubbed her temples. "Go answer it before it disturbs other guests."

He nodded and swiftly opened the door.

Two minutes later, he returned carrying a brown paper bag, waving it before her. "Just a delivery."

Evelyn narrowed her eyes. The flat bag didn't seem to contain food.

"I'm going to bed."

"Goodnight."

That night, she tossed and turned restlessly.

Her phone screen lit up with a message from Gregory Wilson: [Heard you postponed your return to the UK?]

She replied: [A family member is hospitalized. I need to stay and care for them.]

Gregory responded quickly: [Let me know if you need medical resources.]

Evelyn declined politely: [No need to trouble yourself.]

[I renewed the lease on your apartment. It's a prime location—would be a shame to lose it.]

Her fingers trembled slightly as she typed: [Cancel it.]

The chat showed "typing..." but no new message appeared for a long while.

Finally, her phone vibrated: [Can we talk?]

[Sure.]

The call connected almost instantly.

"Evelyn?"

"Dr. Wilson." Her voice sounded hoarse. "I might not return to the UK for a long time."

A brief silence followed. "Because of Alexander?"

"No."

Her answer seemed to relieve him. "Good. Are your parents ill? I can have Vincent arrange caregivers."

"Not immediate family, but... I have to stay."

"I respect your decision." He paused. "I'll cancel the lease. When you return, you can stay at my place while house-hunting."

Evelyn tightened her grip on the phone. "We'll see."

"Alright. What about the puppy..."

"You keep it."

"Let's name it? Can't just call it 'puppy' forever."

"You decide."

"It's your dog."

Evelyn gazed out the window. "I'm really not good at this."

Gregory pondered. "How about 'Stethoscope'? You're a doctor, and it's always perking its ears up."

She chuckled softly. "Whatever you like."

"So it's settled?"

"Mhm."

Footsteps echoed in the hallway.

Evelyn lowered her voice. "I should go."

"Wait." Gregory stopped her. "Take care of yourself."

By the floor-to-ceiling window, Alexander's silhouette stretched long in the moonlight.