Chapter 531

Curious guests peered from their doorways at the commotion in the hallway.

Evelyn bit her lip. "I'll take him next door to explain."

Alexander stepped in front of her. "Let me handle this. Stay with the baby."

Little Chloe remained blissfully unaware, babbling and waving tiny fists. Spotting Alexander, she suddenly exclaimed, "Daddy!"

Evelyn froze.

If her father heard that...

Alexander was in serious trouble.

Yet the man merely chuckled, gently tapping the baby's rosy cheek.

Evelyn instinctively tightened her hold on Chloe, retreating toward the window.

Alexander straightened his collar and opened the door to face Andrew Anderson's furious glare. "Mr. Anderson—"

"Where's my daughter?!" Andrew shoved past him.

The scene that greeted him: Evelyn clutching a baby amidst rumpled bedsheets and scattered infant supplies.

Andrew's raised fist halted midair. His pupils contracted violently.

Hotel staff held their breaths in the hallway.

"Return to your duties," Alexander commanded quietly.

The crowd dispersed instantly.

Tension thickened the air like syrup.

"Dad, please come inside—" Evelyn began.

Andrew's fist connected with Alexander's jaw before she could finish.

Alexander staggered against the entryway console, blood trickling from his lip.

"I warned you to stay away from my girl!" Andrew roared, snatching up a shoe bench.

Evelyn screamed, "Dad!"

Alexander stood motionless.

The wooden stool shattered against his shoulder with a sickening crack.

Chloe wailed in terror.

Crimson streaked down Alexander's temple.

As Andrew raised his arm again, Evelyn shielded the baby. "This is Bianca Langley's daughter! We're just babysitting!"

"Bianca Langley?" Andrew panted. "Since when do you know any Langleys?"

"Do you think a ten-day-old baby looks like this?" Evelyn thrust the sobbing infant toward him.

Andrew studied the red-faced child and finally lowered the stool.

Alexander moved to assist, but Andrew blocked him. "Stay put!"

"I only need to get the bottle—"

"I'll do it!" Andrew grabbed the bottle himself.

Chloe's cries subsided as she drank.

Only then did Evelyn notice Alexander's injuries—his face half-covered in blood, shirt speckled with wood splinters.

"Dad, how's Emily?" She grasped for a distraction.

"She's fine." Andrew shot Alexander a venomous look. "So this child belongs to his friend?"

Evelyn nodded.

"Then let him take responsibility!" Andrew seized his daughter's arm. "Pack your things. We're leaving now."

"But my luggage—"

"Every last item!" Andrew ground out. "This time, you're cutting ties with him for good!"