Chapter 697

The surgeon's face was grim as he stepped out of the operating room. "The patient is in critical condition," he said, his voice low with urgency. "One of her kidneys was violently extracted. The crude procedure she endured has left her at high risk for septic shock."

His words grew heavier. "The loss of that organ could trigger systemic failure. If her condition deteriorates further, we may face multiple organ shutdown."

A pause. Then, quieter: "She also shows no will to fight. That mental state complicates everything."

When they had wheeled Evelyn in, she had been barely conscious, unresponsive even when Alexander called her name.

They had rushed her straight into emergency surgery.

Now, the surgeon's expression told Alexander everything he didn't want to hear. Evelyn's chances were slim.

Alexander had spent the entire night at the hospital with Claire, only to race to that abandoned warehouse at dawn. By the time he got Evelyn to the ER, the sun was already high. Exhaustion carved deep lines into his face, his eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep.

He clenched his fists. Medicine wasn't his expertise. All he could do was trust the doctors.

"Save her," he demanded, voice rough. "Whatever it takes."

The surgeon nodded. "We're doing everything possible, but she's lost too much blood. We've already transfused three units." He held out a clipboard. "This is a critical condition consent form. You need to sign."

Alexander's jaw tightened as he scrawled his name.

Alone in the hallway, his thoughts spiraled.

He reached for his phone to call Claire—only to find it dead.

Too much had happened in twenty-four hours. No rest. No pause. Now, a splitting headache pulsed behind his temples.

In their panic, they'd taken Evelyn to the nearest hospital, not the one where Claire had given birth.

Thirteen miles apart.

Alexander borrowed a charger, jamming the cord into his phone. He needed to check on Claire.

—

The moment it powered on, he dialed.

A robotic voice answered instead of Claire.

His stomach dropped.

She had blocked him.

His frown deepened. He understood her anger—but cutting off contact entirely? No chance to explain?

He called Simon immediately.

Simon answered on the first ring. "Mr. Whitmore? Is everything handled? Mrs. Whitmore is... not pleased." Having a girlfriend himself, Simon understood perfectly.

If emotional blunders were ranked, Alexander had committed a Category 10 disaster.

"How is Claire?" Alexander's voice was strained. "Is she alright? Her mood? Her health?"

Simon hesitated. "She woke up, ate a little. Superficial injuries from the crash, nothing severe."

"Put her on."

A beat of silence. Then, awkwardly: "She's not here, sir."

Alexander's grip tightened on the phone. "She just delivered a baby. Why isn't she resting? Where is she?"

Simon cleared his throat. "She went to see Mr. Bennett. He's still unconscious. She's... concerned."

Alexander froze.

Claire was with Lucas?

A dark emotion coiled in his chest. "How long?"

"Nearly an hour. This is her second visit today."

Alexander's expression turned stormy.

Claire, fresh from childbirth, running to Lucas's bedside—twice?

Yes, Lucas had saved her. But was this level of concern necessary?

The thought made his blood simmer.

Simon added carefully, "She also asked if Damian's death was connected to you. I didn't answer. I worried the truth might... change how she sees you."

Alexander had built his reputation on integrity—spotless since his academy days.

But for Claire, he'd crossed lines. Ensured Damian's death behind bars.

A life-for-a-life matter. Simon wouldn't dare speak out of turn, not when it could shatter Claire's trust.

Alexander didn't blame him. He'd never wanted Claire to know.

Damian had targeted her one too many times. Alexander had reached his limit.

That decision was his burden as her husband.

Simon's voice cut through his thoughts. "Sir, when will you return?"

Alexander exhaled. "Evelyn lost a kidney."

Silence. Then a sharp inhale. Simon hadn't expected such brutality.

"She's still in surgery," Alexander continued. "Critical condition notice just issued."

As Evelyn's only legal guardian, he couldn't leave.

The doctors had warned—anything could happen before the operation ended.

He had to stay.

They'd said Evelyn's abdomen was flooded with blood. The butchers who took her kidney had botched the job so badly she was barely clinging to life. Specialists had been summoned, scrambling to save her.

Alexander couldn't erase the image of Evelyn's pallid face as they wheeled her away.

The color of death.

Simon understood. "I'll try to explain to Mrs. Whitmore."

—

The call ended just as the OR doors burst open.

A nurse sprinted out. "We're out of matching blood! We need donors now!"

Alexander rolled up his sleeve. "Take mine. We're the same type."

He followed her without hesitation.

Meanwhile, across town, an elevator dinged.

Claire stepped out, face unreadable.

Simon, still holding his phone, hurried over. "Mrs. Whitmore, Mr. Whitmore just called—"

He stopped. The line was dead.

Claire walked past him without a word, acupuncture kit in hand. She returned to her room, collapsing onto the bed, utterly drained.

Simon sighed. Her anger was palpable—she wouldn't even acknowledge Alexander's name.

He knocked gently. "Mrs. Whitmore, Mr. Whitmore wanted you to know—Ms. Morgan's condition is dire. Someone took her kidney. She's in surgery now."