Chapter 492

Lydia blinked, nodding with partial understanding. "I see, Evelyn."

She turned to Alexander, her voice sweet and soft. "Alexander, you can go ahead. I'll take care of things here."

Alexander raised an eyebrow. "You know how to care for a patient?"

"Of course!" Lydia counted on her fingers. "Fetching meals, pouring water, keeping company..."

She paused mid-count, glancing at Evelyn for help.

Alexander added leisurely, "And checking temperatures, monitoring IV drips, observing the patient's condition. Can you handle all that?"

Lydia deflated. "That... sounds complicated."

"Which is why I should stay," Alexander said flatly.

Lydia suddenly brightened. "But Alexander, you're a man. Isn't it... inappropriate for you to care for Evelyn?"

Alexander stiffened.

Evelyn quickly interjected, "Lydia's right. You must be swamped with work, Mr. Hamilton. Don't let us keep you."

Their gazes clashed in the air.

Oblivious to the tension, Lydia chimed in, "Alexander is always so kind. He'd help anyone, even strangers."

Alexander's expression darkened. "I'm not that idle."

Lydia backtracked hastily. "I meant—Evelyn is with us, so of course you'd care for her."

A phone buzzed.

Alexander glanced at the caller ID and declined the call.

He checked the IV bag. "This one's almost done. There's another glucose bag after—about an hour left."

The phone buzzed again.

Evelyn sighed. "You should take that."

Alexander frowned at the screen, his expression tense. "I'll be right back."

He turned to Lydia. "Please look after Dr. Carter."

Lydia nodded obediently. "Don't worry, Alexander!"

Before leaving, Alexander asked Evelyn, "Need anything?"

"No, thank you."

Once alone, Lydia fluttered around like a sparrow. "Evelyn, some water? Fruit? Want me to tell you a joke?"

Evelyn stifled a laugh. "Just sit still, please."

A doctor entered for rounds.

"Temperature last night?" He flipped through the chart. "Good, the fever's down, but the infection persists. Continue the IV."

Glancing at the drip, he asked casually, "Your sister? Where's your husband?"

Before Evelyn could explain, Lydia blurted, "Not her husband! They barely know each other!"

The doctor looked startled. "Barely know each other? Then why was he giving you a sponge bath last night?"

Evelyn froze.

Lydia's eyes widened. "A... sponge bath?"

"Just wiping my hands with alcohol," Evelyn clarified quickly.

The doctor shook his head. "I saw him carrying multiple basins of hot water. That's excessive for just hands."

Silence fell.

Realizing his blunder, the doctor stammered, "Maybe for the humidifier... I'll check other rooms!"

The door shut. Lydia's face burned crimson.

"Evelyn..." She hesitated. "There's something... please don't be upset."

"What is it?"

"Alexander might not have... brought you here just for you." Lydia lowered her voice. "I saw a woman in the next room—the one who spoke at the summit!"

Evelyn's pulse jumped.

Lydia grew more animated. "It must be her! Alexander suddenly came to the summit for her! She's gorgeous and capable—just like Annabelle!"

"How do you know?"

"Because..." Lydia leaned in, whispering conspiratorially, "I saw a bite mark... on Alexander's neck!"