Chapter 496

Evelyn Carter lowered her head to organize the documents. "Hamilton Group's office is across town from Anderson Construction. We won't run into each other often."

"What if we do?" Alexander Hamilton turned to Emily Zade. "Screen the assistants yourself. Send me the list first."

"I can handle it myself," Evelyn frowned.

"Do you know any of Anderson's employees?" Alexander countered. "Do you trust their backgrounds?"

Evelyn fell silent.

"Skills can be trained. Integrity is non-negotiable." His tone left no room for argument.

Emily interjected smoothly, "Ms. Carter, Mr. Hamilton is being thorough. The business world is a battlefield. Newcomers are easy targets for schemers."

A phone buzzed.

[Gregory Wilson: Landed yet?]

At dawn, Gregory had insisted on picking her up. Evelyn had argued relentlessly to convince him she was visiting her sister at the hospital.

She angled away to reply: [Yes. On my way back.]

The moment she hit send, Alexander leaned in casually. "Emily Anderson?"

Evelyn locked her screen.

"Not replying?"

She turned to type, but his shadow fell over her phone again.

"Meeting someone this late?"

"Since when do you violate basic privacy?" Evelyn's voice turned icy.

"Get a privacy screen." He shrugged.

Outside, the scenery shifted abruptly. Evelyn tensed. "This isn't the way home."

Emily explained gently, "You just recovered. Going home means pulling all-nighters to study. Rest first."

Alexander cut in, "Is dinner ready at the hotel?"

"Everything's arranged."

"I'm going home." Evelyn's voice was steel. "White Coat is waiting."

"Is it the dog waiting—or Dr. Wilson?" Alexander's gaze frosted over. "If you won't give him hope, stop seeing him."

"At least let me get my dog."

"Tell him not to wait."

Evelyn addressed the driver, "Pull over at the next intersection."

"No stopping zones." Alexander tapped the window. "Speed up."

Thirty minutes later, the resort hotel glittered against the night.

Emily hurried to the front desk and returned with a keycard. "Ms. Carter, please rest well."

"Two rooms," Alexander added. "Relax."

Evelyn scoffed. The entire hotel was his. What difference did separate rooms make?

The penthouse suite offered sweeping views—the same one she'd stayed in after returning from England.

"Name your terms." Evelyn went straight to the point.

Alexander stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, his silhouette sharp. "I'll fast-track your onboarding at Anderson. From corporate structure to key clients—I'll teach you myself."

That surprised her. Her expression softened slightly. "Thank you."

"We start tomorrow." He turned, dark currents swirling in his eyes. "But I have conditions."

Evelyn held her breath.

"I want a child." Each word landed like a hammer. "I don't do free favors."