Chapter 688

Alexander Hamilton's gaze locked onto the haphazardly parked vehicles blocking the village road.

The only flat main thoroughfare was completely obstructed. Last time he visited, he'd deliberately parked at the village entrance to avoid inconvenience. But these drivers clearly lacked basic courtesy.

Evelyn Carter surveyed the chaotic parking and pulled over further. "This is the best we can do. Otherwise, the villagers won't be able to pass."

"Move closer to the edge." Alexander narrowed his eyes, his voice dropping low. "One of these cars belongs to someone who's here for me."

Evelyn's pulse quickened. "Leonard Laurent? He got here this fast?"

The police hadn't provided updates yet, but the body in the pond was undoubtedly connected to the Laurent family. Leonard's sudden appearance meant he'd learned about his men's encounter with Alexander.

A realization struck Evelyn. "That night—"

She confessed everything about calling Lydia Laurent.

"You did that... to save me?" Alexander stared at her intensely, his scorching gaze nearly burning through her.

"What else?" Evelyn turned away. "It was an emergency. Lydia was the only connection I could think of. Was I supposed to watch you die?"

The corner of Alexander's mouth lifted almost imperceptibly, an indescribable emotion swelling in his chest. "I see."

He'd never imagined Evelyn would panic for his sake.

"But the call didn't seem to work." Evelyn frowned. "They still tried to kill you."

"Oh, it worked perfectly." Alexander glanced at the vehicles, lowering his voice. "Since they came to us... I have a plan..."

At the rural clinic, Alexander leaned "weakly" against Evelyn's shoulder, each step appearing agonizing.

Nurses immediately surrounded them. "Mr. Hamilton, has your leg injury worsened?"

Evelyn accepted the offered chair while noting the ignored Laurent father-daughter pair. Leonard's face darkened with rage while Lydia blinked her innocent doe eyes.

"Is the village elder alright?" Evelyn whispered.

A young nurse leaned in. "Furious. The senior doctor calmed him down. These people barged in demanding to see you—"

"You should all return to the dormitory." Evelyn patted her shoulder. "We'll handle this."

"But there are so many of them..."

Evelyn smiled faintly. "Don't worry. They wouldn't dare harm medical volunteers."

Once the nurses left, Alexander's gaze turned razor-sharp, piercing Leonard.

Lydia maintained her guileless facade, but Evelyn wasn't fooled again.

Beads of sweat formed on Leonard's forehead as he berated his subordinates. "Useless idiots! Can't even handle simple tasks!"