Chapter 543

Sunlight slanted across the cobblestone path in the hospital garden. Evelyn's peripheral vision caught two men in black suits watching from a distance. One quickly pulled out his phone, fingers flying across the screen.

"Hahaha, they saw us!" Peter's laughter grated like nails on chalkboard. "Alexander will come running now, won't he? Why must you suffer like this..."

Thud.

A dull impact.

Evelyn gasped as the vise-like grip around her throat suddenly vanished. Her assailant went flying.

Doubling over, she coughed violently. Her stomach churned. Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

A warm hand patted her back. "You okay?" The voice sounded hoarse.

"...Yeah."

Peter hadn't gone for the kill, but oxygen deprivation and nausea left her drenched in cold sweat. She crouched, dry heaving with nothing coming up.

Alexander hovered nearby, torn between touching her and giving space. "I'll call a doctor."

"No need." Evelyn waved him off. "My parents have enough to worry about."

"Can you stand?"

"Give me a minute."

The cool breeze helped. She straightened up and saw Peter struggling to rise.

Alexander's punch had landed with brutal force. Peter sprawled on the ground, blood and teeth scattered near his mouth.

The two bodyguards sprinted over, pinning him down.

"Mr. Hamilton, our apologies!" The guard's voice shook.

Alexander said nothing, his gaze fixed on Evelyn's pallid face.

"They've been guarding the whole time," she murmured.

"I know." Rage simmered in Alexander's eyes as he stared at Peter like a corpse.

The guard checked Peter's pulse. "Knocked out but alive. Your orders?"

"Take care of him." Ice laced Alexander's tone.

The men hauled Peter up immediately.

"Wait!" Evelyn blocked them. "This is a hospital."

Alexander frowned. "You're pleading for him now?"

"I mean there are security cameras." She shot a disgusted glance at the unconscious man. "Call hospital security or the police."

"Unnecessary." Alexander jerked his chin at the guards. "Move him."

Peter suddenly coughed awake, thrashing wildly. "Mr. Hamilton! One more chance! I can still bring value to Hamilton Group—"

Alexander waved impatiently. "Hurry up."

A guard clamped a hand over Peter's mouth, dragging him toward a black van. A crimson streak marked their path.

The van door slammed shut. The engine roared to life and sped away.

The remaining guard murmured, "I'll clean up the traces."

Alexander ignored him, focusing on Evelyn. "Still feeling sick?"

Her voice came out weak. "What will you do with him?"

"Worry about yourself first."

"He's unhinged. I'm afraid he might—"

"There won't be a next time." Alexander cut her off. "I promise."

She searched his face. "At least tell me your plan. Aunt Lucy's still in the ward. I need to explain."

"You just followed him out here?" Alexander suddenly demanded. "Do you realize how dangerous that was?"

"He wouldn't dare cause trouble inside the hospital." She pressed her lips together. "He just wanted to see you."

"But he came for you." Alexander's voice dropped. "Because he knows threatening you works best on me."

Evelyn turned away. "...I should go back."

Whispers floated past from passing visitors:

"Domestic violence? Look at the blood..."

"None of our business..."

She quickened her pace.

Alexander matched her stride. "Slow down."

"Stop following me."

"I won't touch you. But I'm seeing you back safely."

At the inpatient entrance, she halted. "Go home. My father will get angry seeing you again."

More importantly, Aunt Lucy still waited for her son in the ward. The thought of fabricating an excuse for Peter's absence made her dizzy.

Alexander pressed the elevator button first. "I'll handle your father's temper. I'm not leaving you like this." He paused. "And someone needs to explain Peter's situation."

The elevator doors slid open. He stepped inside decisively.