Chapter 414

Evelyn Carter stood at the corner of the hallway, her fingernails digging into her palms without realizing it.

Nathan York rubbed his hands together, hesitating. "Ms. Carter, Alexander—"

"I know," she interrupted, her voice eerily calm.

Nathan scratched his head awkwardly. "He's in a bad mood today..."

"No need to explain." Evelyn lifted her gaze past him, focusing down the dimly lit corridor. "My sister might be here."

Nathan's eyes brightened. "I'll help you find her!"

He pulled out his phone and made a quick call, getting the information in seconds.

"Room 1036," he whispered. "But right now, it's..."

Evelyn was already walking in that direction.

The hallway lights were dim, the air thick with the mingling scents of alcohol and perfume. She moved close to the wall when suddenly, a familiar voice drifted from the lounge.

"Do you like the gift I gave you?"

Evelyn froze.

Moonlight spilled through the atrium, stretching Alexander Hamilton's shadow long across the floor. A woman stood on tiptoe beside him, whispering into his ear.

"Who's prettier—me or your wife?"

Evelyn held her breath.

Nearby, a couple stumbled into a private room, their movements intimate and careless. Trapped between them and the scene before her, a chill ran down her spine.

When she turned, Alexander's gaze met hers through his glasses.

Recognition flashed in his eyes, his pupils contracting sharply.

"You," he said suddenly, his voice icy.

The woman smirked triumphantly, but Evelyn was already striding away.

Outside Room 1036, Emily Anderson nearly dropped her tray when she saw her sister.

"Evelyn?!"

Evelyn grabbed her wrist. "We're leaving."

Emily struggled. "I'm still working—"

"You don't belong in a place like this!"

As they wrestled, Emily's uniform collar slipped, revealing a dark bruise on her collarbone.

Evelyn gasped. "Who did this?"

Emily hastily adjusted her collar. "I just bumped into something—"

"Tell me the truth!"

Emily's eyes welled up. "A drunk customer... But the manager handled it, I swear!"

Evelyn trembled with anger, dragging her sister toward the exit. As they turned the corner, they nearly collided with a tall figure.

Alexander stood there, the lipstick stain on his collar wiped away, but the lingering perfume still clung to him.

His eyes flicked to Emily, then back to Evelyn. "Need help?"

Evelyn shielded her sister. "No."

"This isn't a safe place."

"Thanks to you, I've seen exactly how unsafe it is." She scoffed. "Move."

Alexander didn't budge. The woman from earlier reappeared, looping her arm through his. "Alexander, who's this...?"

Evelyn sidestepped them, pulling Emily away.

Outside, the night air hit them as Emily finally broke into sobs. "I just wanted to earn some money..."

"Since when is that your responsibility?"

"But the house—"

"That's for adults to handle!" Evelyn stopped abruptly. "Do you have any idea how dangerous that was? If I hadn't come—"

Emily hiccuped, unable to respond.

Footsteps approached. Alexander had followed them alone, holding Emily's forgotten employee badge.

"How will you get home?" he asked.

Evelyn ignored him, flagging down a taxi.

Before the door closed, she heard him say, "Evelyn, we need to talk."

The window rolled up, cutting off his words.

In the rearview mirror, his figure grew smaller until it vanished into the night.

Emily whispered, "Was that... your husband?"

"Ex-husband," Evelyn corrected, her voice hoarse.

As the taxi sped through neon-lit streets, Evelyn watched the city blur past. The woman's question echoed in her mind.

"Who's prettier—me or your wife?"

Her lips twisted in self-mockery.

Moonlight glinted off the rearview mirror, illuminating her pale reflection.