Chapter 575
Evelyn's voice was icy. "You told me you'd already spoken to him that day! Now he's taken Bella and won't even answer Claire's calls!"
Alexander could hear the fury in her tone. "Let me handle this," he responded quickly.
Claire suddenly burst into tears, her sobs raw and unrestrained. Evelyn's heart twisted at the sound, and she ended the call abruptly, turning to comfort her distraught friend. Alexander felt a pang of guilt—Evelyn's anger wasn't just directed at Lucas, but at him too.
He dialed Lucas’s number, but to his surprise, the call went unanswered.
Just then, Simon walked in with a stack of documents. "The fire at the Walker estate has sent their stocks crashing." The blaze had been the talk of the city all morning. Titan Capital Group had a long-standing partnership with the Walkers, and only days ago, Alexander had met with them to discuss business.
During their meeting, they had been adamant about securing the eastern suburbs' land.
Simon added casually, "The Walkers have withdrawn from the bidding. Now, the Powells are in the lead."
But Alexander barely registered the update. His mind was still on Evelyn’s call.
Unable to reach Lucas by phone, he grabbed his coat and headed straight to Willowbrook Apartments.
The security recognized him immediately and let him through without question.
As soon as he stepped inside, the sound of a baby’s cries filled the air.
Alexander frowned. That idiot actually took the child.
Hearing the commotion, Lucas emerged from the bedroom. He looked disheveled, his white shirt stained with something yellow, his hair unkempt. "Alexander? What are you doing here?" He descended the stairs, his expression darkening as if remembering something unpleasant.
"You had me locked up for five days!" Lucas snapped. "Do you have any idea what that was like?"
The cell had been freezing and pitch-black. Lucas still hadn’t forgiven Alexander for that.
Alexander took a seat on the couch as a servant handed him a drink.
He leveled Lucas with a cold stare. "Those five days were supposed to sober you up. Clearly, they didn’t work. You’re still as reckless as ever."
Lucas stiffened. "What did I do wrong?"
"You took Bella from the hospital without a word! Do you realize how much this will make Claire despise you? She nearly died giving birth to that child. What gives you the right to just take her?" Alexander’s sharp words left Lucas momentarily speechless.
After a long pause, Lucas muttered, "I just wanted Claire to come to me."
Alexander pressed further. "And what if she doesn’t?"
Lucas froze, then snapped, "She will. The baby is here with me—she’ll have no choice!"
"So you admit it?" Alexander’s voice was cutting. "You’re using Bella as leverage to manipulate her."
The accusation stung. Lucas recoiled. "She’s my daughter! I would never use her like that!"
"But you are," Alexander said flatly. "And all you’re doing is pushing Claire further away. That’s all I have to say. Think about it."
With that, he stood and walked out without another word.
Upstairs, Bella’s cries grew louder as the maid tried to soothe her.
Lucas had been released from custody that morning and gone straight to the hospital to take her.
He believed Bella was the only thing that could bind him and Claire together—an unbreakable link. If he had her, Claire would have no choice but to come to him. Then, he could regain control.
His plan was simple: demand Julian leave Claire’s home. Once he was gone, Lucas was certain he could rekindle their relationship.
But instead of Claire, it was Alexander who had shown up.
Lucas clenched his fists. She should’ve been discharged by now. Why hasn’t she come?
Does she really hate me that much?