Chapter 94

Margaret Hamilton's face turned as pale as parchment.

"Flashlight," Evelyn Carter extended her hand.

Her assistant swiftly passed her a medical penlight.

She pried open Margaret's eyelids to examine her pupils, her frown deepening. "Blood pressure?"

"Still dropping. Currently 50/90."

"Administer oxygen immediately."

"Understood."

Auntie Marry paced anxiously until Evelyn finished her examination. "Young Madam, what's wrong with Mrs. Hamilton—"

"Prepare for stroke emergency protocols." Evelyn issued rapid orders. "Contact the hospital to clear the VIP lane. Keep her stabilized during transport."

Male orderlies sprang into action, carefully transferring Margaret onto a stretcher bed.

"Preliminary diagnosis: acute cerebral hemorrhage." Evelyn spared a brief explanation.

Auntie Marry's face drained of color. "Is...is it serious?"

"Life-threatening." Evelyn's tone was urgent. "How long has she been like this?"

"Since..." Auntie Marry hesitated. "Since Master Alexander announced his marriage to Miss Annabelle..."

Evelyn's gaze sharpened. "Why wasn't I told sooner?"

"Mrs. Hamilton said...she couldn't face you."

Evelyn's chest heaved. "Prepare for transport! Auntie Marry, ride with us."

The elevator doors suddenly slid open.

Alexander Hamilton burst out alone, his eyes bloodshot.

Evelyn directed the stretcher into the elevator. The cramped space forced her to press against Alexander.

The man leaned back, creating what little distance he could.

"Thanks." Evelyn's gratitude was clipped.

"My mother—"

"Cerebral hemorrhage. Risk of paralysis or death at any moment." She stared straight ahead. "Every second counts now."

The elevator's arrival chime cut off his next question.

Evelyn charged out first, clearing a path through the hotel lobby. As the stretcher loaded into the ambulance, she moved to board—then searing pain shot through her right leg.

She collapsed hard onto the icy pavement.