Chapter 475

The doorbell finally stopped ringing.

Evelyn Carter pricked up her ears, listening intently for movement outside.

"...This is the room. I've been ringing for ages with no answer. Could you open it for me?"

The electronic beep of a keycard sounded abruptly.

Evelyn bolted upright in bed.

"Who's there?!"

"Good evening, madam. I'm the hotel manager. Your boyfriend said you were ill and worried you might have fainted."

A vein throbbed at Evelyn's temple. "I'm fine! I just want to sleep!"

The manager apologized profusely. "Our deepest apologies—"

"Make him leave too."

"Of course."

As the manager turned, Alexander Hamilton's low voice cut through the air. "She's running a high fever. If anything happens to her in your hotel—"

"But we can't force entry, sir."

Alexander knocked directly on the door. "Evelyn, open up. There's been a change in the summit schedule."

"..."

"Evelyn?"

She squeezed her eyes shut.

This man was determined not to let her sleep tonight.

"Wait."

She threw on a robe and shuffled to the door in slippers. "What on earth—"

Before she could finish, Alexander tossed his phone onto the carpet and pushed her back inside.

The door slammed shut.

The world spun as Evelyn's back hit the wall.

Thud—

Her already foggy head swam with dizziness.

"Answering the door dressed like that?" Alexander frowned.

She massaged her temples.

His hand immediately covered hers. "Gently."

"I feel awful." Her voice was hoarse. "Alexander, this is the second time tonight!"

Outside, the manager asked timidly, "Mr. Hamilton, do you need assistance?"

Alexander studied her. "Hospital?"

"No."

He brushed stray hairs from her forehead. "No fever now. What else hurts?"

"My head."

"Sure you don't need a doctor?"

Evelyn knew.

These sudden symptoms pointed squarely to influenza.

That joke at the airport had become prophecy.

"Just need fluids. Hospitals are full of vulnerable people."

Alexander's brow furrowed. "The flu?"

"Yes." She pushed at his chest. "Get out. This room is crawling with virus."

"If I was going to catch it, I already would have."

He called to the hallway, "Manager Wright, we're fine now."

"Very well. Contact reception if you require anything."

Once footsteps faded, Evelyn glared. "Dragging the manager here at this hour. Quite the power move, CEO Hamilton."

Ignoring her, he asked, "Sore throat?"

"...A little."

"Body aches?"

"Mhm."

"Wait here."

He guided her to bed, then turned for the minibar.

At the doorway, hushed whispers reached him.

"...Twice in one night!"

"So she wouldn't answer because she knew he'd come back?"

"That wild?"

"...All the way down her—"

"Shh—"

Alexander yanked the door open.

Two robed young men scrambled into the neighboring room and slammed their door.

Expression icy, he returned to plug in the electric kettle.

Evelyn had cocooned herself in blankets, only her flushed face visible.

Alexander tugged at the covers. "Trying to get heatstroke?"

She clung to the fabric. "When are you leaving?"

"When the water boils."

Relaxing slightly, she slumped against the headboard. "Who was out there?"

"Nobody." He wiped sweat from her brow. "Stop smothering yourself."

"Sweating out a chill helps recovery."

"Whatever Doctor Carter says."

The kettle began bubbling.

Silence stretched between them.

Suddenly Evelyn said, "Lydia Laurent must be waiting."