Chapter 144

Evelyn nearly dropped the insulated lunchbox when she pushed open the hospital room door.

Alexander stood by Sophia's bed, holding a bouquet of vibrant roses.

"Evelyn..." Alexander awkwardly set the flowers down, his gaze shifting away.

Sophia turned her head coldly. "Mr. King, please leave."

His Adam's apple bobbed. "I'll visit again tomorrow."

"Don't bother."

The door slammed shut behind him. Evelyn placed the lunchbox on the bedside table.

"Why was he here?"

"Who knows?" Sophia tugged irritably at the blanket. "Maybe the hospital notified him."

Evelyn noticed the crumpled roses on the nightstand.

"I'm discharging myself this afternoon," Sophia announced suddenly.

"Did the doctor approve?"

"It's just a minor injury." Sophia threw off the covers. "There's a mountain of work waiting at the office."

Evelyn hesitated but finally nodded.

At three p.m., Sophia appeared punctually in the conference room.

A high-neck sweater concealed the bruises on her throat. Her spine remained straight as she walked.

Evelyn's anxious heart finally settled.

Before leaving work, Ethan's call came through.

"Alexander wants to take you to dinner."

Evelyn's fingers stilled. "If it's about Sophia, forget it."

Silence stretched for several seconds.

"Understood."

Ethan hung up and turned to Alexander beside him.

"Rejected?" Alexander gave a bitter smile. "Expected."

"You deserve it."

"Yeah." Alexander tilted his head back, taking a swig of whiskey. "I really do."

......

Steam rose from the hot pot.

Sophia mechanically dropped slices of meat into the boiling broth, her gaze distant.

"Still thinking about this morning?" Evelyn placed a slice of tripe in her bowl.

Sophia suddenly set down her chopsticks.

"I've decided to cut ties with him." Her voice trembled. "But when I remember him begging on his knees..."

Evelyn grasped her icy hand.

"Having a soft heart isn't wrong."

"But you—"

"Our situations are different." Evelyn smiled faintly. "At least your father truly cared for you once."

Sophia shook her head, eyes reddening. "You're the best one. The Sullivan family is blind!"

"Eat the meat before it overcooks."

In the bubbling red broth, the slices slowly curled.