Chapter 552

Emily Zade sighed softly. "You've known the answer all along."

Alexander Hamilton lowered his gaze, his fingers absently tracing the edge of his phone. "I was too stubborn. I noticed Annabelle had changed completely from the girl I knew, yet I refused to face the truth."

"Mr. Hamilton," Emily hesitated before continuing, "though I'm your subordinate, as a woman, my heart aches more for Mrs. Hamilton."

"...I understand."

Years of默契 rendered further words unnecessary.

Alexander suddenly asked, "If you were in her place, would you forgive me?"

Emily looked uncomfortable. "Mr. Hamilton, I'm not Mrs. Hamilton. My choice doesn't reflect hers."

Silence stretched across the line.

Just as Emily considered changing the subject, Alexander spoke again. "Any updates from the hospital?"

"The Taylors are stable, but..." She paused. "Miss Taylor went to Mr. and Mrs. Taylor's room again."

Alexander's voice turned glacial. "What does she want now?"

Emily glanced toward the病房. "The same old tactics. When she couldn't manipulate you, she turned to Mr. and Mrs. Taylor."

A glass slammed down audibly through the phone.

"The situation escalated," Emily whispered. "Miss Taylor caused a scene, and Mrs. Taylor's condition worsened—"

Before she could finish, Anthony Taylor's enraged shout erupted from the room. "Stop! Don't touch her!"

"Let me ask Mom if she really wants to abandon me!" Annabelle's hysterical shriek pierced the hallway.

Emily rushed forward. "Mr. Hamilton, should I have security remove her?"

"Now." Alexander's tone could have frozen hell.

Chaos reigned inside the病房.

Annabelle leaned halfway out the window, screaming through tears. "Watch me die then! Watch my blood stain the pavement!"

Teresa Taylor's face drained of color, her breathing labored beneath the oxygen mask.

Anthony's hands trembled. "After raising you for twenty years, this is how you repay us?"

"Raised me?" Annabelle sneered. "I was just a replacement! Even my name belonged to your real daughter!"

Whispers spread through the gathered crowd.

"What's wrong with this family?"

"That woman threatening to jump is their adopted daughter..."

"How tragic..."

A glint of triumph flashed in Annabelle's eyes as she raised her voice. "Dad, give me half the family assets, and I'll disappear. Otherwise—"

"Otherwise what?" A cool female voice cut through the tension.

The crowd stilled.

Annabelle whirled around, her face paling instantly.

Evelyn Carter stood at the forefront, her gaze steady. "If you're going to jump, do it quickly. Don't waste everyone's time."