Evelyn could sense Alexander Vance and Marcus Valentine were on the right side of the hospital room.
She pushed the door open and walked out.
She cast a brief, indifferent glance to the right before turning left.
Marcus Valentine heard the door open and glanced over casually.
His gaze suddenly fixed on her retreating figure.
Her posture was straight and elegant as bamboo.
It carried a cool, resilient grace.
This aura was seventy to eighty percent similar to Sophia Ashcroft.
Marcus narrowed his eyes.
He had long heard this love child was raised by Sophia.
But he never expected her spirit to resemble Sophia's so closely.
Isabella only managed a superficial imitation.
Yet this girl's silhouette made him feel as if he were seeing a young Sophia again.
He greedily watched her a few more seconds.
He tried to recapture a blurred memory through her.
Marcus quickly withdrew his gaze.
He regained his usual composure.
Evelyn turned into the stairwell at the corridor's end.
She answered the call. "What is it, Grace?"
Grace Lorenz was on the line.
She had called persistently after the first hang-up.
It must be urgent.
Grace spoke rapidly. "Liam Lowell received a death sentence with reprieve."
"He's being transferred tomorrow."
"If you don't extract that secret now, you'll never have another chance."
Evelyn lowered her eyes. "Buy me two more days."
She had a strong intuition.
The secret Liam knew was crucial to her.
Grace agreed immediately. "I'll try to delay until the day after tomorrow."
"But Isabella is carrying his child."
"He won't talk easily for his child's future."
"I'll find a way."
Evelyn ended the call.
Her eyes turned sharp.
She pushed open the stairwell door.
She walked back calmly and steadily.
Marcus Valentine thought she would avoid confrontation.
Alexander thought so too.
But they didn't understand her.
Retreat was never an option in her life.
Yet only Alexander remained in the corridor.
Marcus was gone.
Evelyn approached. "Where is he?"
"He went to the car."
Alexander took her hand. "Someone heard he was in San Francisco."
"They wanted to network."
"He didn't want to disturb the room's peace."
Evelyn nodded. "Go back to your work."
"I'll stay here."
Alexander gazed at her. "I'll work from the car downstairs."
"Call me if you need anything."
"Okay."
Evelyn entered the room.
She sat in a corner of the sofa.
Night deepened.
The room was silent.
Evelyn leaned against the chairback.
She drifted into a light sleep.
Morning sun filtered through the curtains.
She jolted awake.
It was just past six.
She had slept four hours.
Evelyn first looked at Sophia.
Her breathing was steady.
But her brow was slightly furrowed, as if dreaming.
Evelyn then looked at William Ashcroft.
What she saw shocked her.
In just one night, William's hair had turned mostly white.
His face was haggard.
His eyes were sunken and bloodshot.
He had clearly stayed awake all night.
His lips were cracked and bleeding.
Stubble covered his chin.
He looked years older.
He seemed not to care.
He held Sophia's hand tightly.
He occasionally moistened her lips with a damp cotton swab.
Evelyn was moved.
She silently poured him a glass of water.
William stared at the suddenly offered cup.
He was startled.
He followed the hand to Evelyn.
This time, he didn't get angry.
He silently accepted the water.
He drank a few sips and set it aside.
Footsteps sounded outside.
Isabella entered with breakfast.
She saw Evelyn and William.
Her pupils constricted.
She spoke softly. "Dad, you haven't rested or eaten all night."
"I bought breakfast. Please eat a little."
William waved his hand. "No need."
His voice was so hoarse it was almost inaudible.
Without those sips of water, he might not have spoken at all.
Evelyn advised gently. "You need to take care of yourself."
"Mrs. Ashcroft wouldn't want to see you like this when she wakes."
Isabella quickly agreed. "Yes, Dad. Please eat something."
William was firm. "A-Shu is unconscious and can't eat."
"I won't eat until she wakes."
Evelyn said no more.
She turned and left the room.
Alexander had texted that breakfast was ready.
She headed downstairs to get it.
Isabella followed her into the corridor. "Evelyn, Dad isn't eating or drinking."
"Aren't you going to do anything?"
Evelyn frowned.
She didn't want to engage.
Isabella blocked her path. "The Ashcroft family raised you."
"Is this how you repay Dad?"
"You're so ungrateful!"
Evelyn looked at her coldly. "Isabella, don't think I won't hit you just because Mrs. Ashcroft is unconscious."
Isabella didn't retreat.
Instead, she stepped closer.
A ruthless glint flashed in her eyes.
…
Two limousines were parked downstairs.
Alexander sat in one.
He had rested a few hours last night.
Breakfast was prepared inside.
He had texted Evelyn he was coming up.
But she hadn't appeared.
He opened the car door and got out.
Marcus emerged from the other car.
He hadn't slept all night.
He had been watching the third-floor window.
He was stretching his legs.
The two men met in the parking lot.
They exchanged a glance.
Alexander was about to greet him—
"Ah—!!"
A piercing scream came from the third floor!
Alexander and Marcus both paled.
They sprinted for the stairs without hesitation!
What happened in the room?
Had Sophia woken up?!
They bypassed the elevator.
They ran straight to the third floor.
Outside the room, they heard panicked shouts. "Blood! So much blood!"
Alexander and Marcus's pupils contracted sharply.
They shoved the door open and burst in!