Chapter 904

Evelyn's fingers trembled slightly as she buttoned her white coat, texting Alexander a brief "Got it" in response.

The operating room lights finally dimmed as sunset painted the windows.

Dr. Porter removed his mask, beads of sweat still clinging to his forehead. "Dr. Carter, we owe you for catching that medication error."

Had it been gratitude tied to the Hamilton name, she might have hesitated. But this time, she accepted it with quiet dignity.

"Just doing my job." She pocketed her stethoscope. "I hear I'm on the complaint list?"

Dr. Porter scratched his head, crumpling his coat collar. "My apologies. But the patient's demands..."

His Adam's apple bobbed as he trailed off.

Evelyn waited. When she heard the patient's request for a different lung donor, her brows knitted tight.

"Organ transplants aren't grocery shopping." Her voice turned icy. "Stopping immunosuppressants is playing Russian roulette with her life."

Dr. Porter gave a weary smile. "We've refused three times. She won't give up. Now she's gone to the media to pressure us."

Their shared glance spoke volumes—unshakable resolve mirrored in both pairs of eyes.

By the time the gasping patient was wheeled back, she lacked the strength to protest. Evelyn finished giving post-op instructions and turned toward the OB-GYN wing.

At the corridor's bend, a woman in a baseball cap intercepted her.

"Doctor, I have stomach pains—"

Evelyn eyed the overstuffed bag. "Reporter? Schedule interviews through Administration."

The woman flushed and scurried away.

Her phone buzzed incessantly upon returning. After three missed calls, she silenced it completely.

At lunch, the driver Henry studied her curiously. When Alexander's call reached the dean's office, the secretary nearly spilled her coffee.

"Mr. Hamilton, we're handling the situation—"

Alexander's knuckles rapped his desk, but he resisted pulling media strings. He knew too well how public opinion could backfire.

In the evening car ride, he handed her sparkling water. "Your lips are chapped."

Only then did Evelyn realize she hadn't drunk all day. As cool liquid soothed her throat, Alexander murmured, "For the birthday dinner this weekend, I thought just three close families."

"What about Aunt Margaret..." Her grip tightened on the bottle.

"Mother severed most ties years ago." His tone remained even. "After losing you, she and Father became islanders."

Evelyn's chest constricted. As an expectant mother, she understood that agony more than ever.

The window slid down, letting in spring's floral breeze. Sunset illuminated Alexander's profile with startling clarity. "Sometimes I wonder, if we'd found you sooner—"

Her phone lit up again—"Dean's Office" flashing across the screen.