Chapter 281

"Alexander Kingsley!" Evelyn Sinclair's voice trembled with alarm. "Don't scare me like this!"

...

Dawn had barely broken when chaos erupted at the Kingsley estate.

"How did this happen?" Madeline Kingsley stomped her foot in frustration before rounding on Evelyn. "You were right beside him! How could you miss such a high fever?"

Evelyn opened her mouth, her throat tight.

"Mother, it was the middle of the night," Eleanor Kingsley interjected quickly. "No one would've noticed."

Madeline huffed angrily but swallowed her retort.

The doctor was examining Alexander, diagnosing a severe fever caused by influenza.

"Strange," Eleanor frowned. "He was perfectly fine last night..."

"What exactly happened?" Madeline paced anxiously. "He finally comes home, and now this? God knows how he's been neglecting himself out there!"

She turned to interrogate Evelyn again when a phone ringtone cut through the tension.

"I need to take this." Evelyn glanced at the caller ID and stepped away.

"Evelyn, we've located the man," Roman Young's hushed voice came through.

"Where?" Evelyn tensed immediately.

"Lotus Avenue in the Mountain District. There's a conference hotel..." Roman relayed quickly. "I'll send the exact coordinates. Should I go first or—"

"You go ahead." Evelyn didn't hesitate. "Keep sharing your location. I'll be there as soon as possible."

Ending the call, Evelyn returned with an apologetic expression.

"There's an emergency at work. I need to handle it..."

"Go, go." Eleanor waved her off.

Patriarch Kingsley nodded. "Shall I have your father-in-law drive you?"

"Thank you, Father." Evelyn accepted gracefully before hurrying out.

No sooner had she left than the doctor emerged. "Lord Alex is awake. He's asking for Madam Sinclair."

"Tell him Evelyn had to leave for work!" the Patriarch called over his shoulder as he rushed inside.

Though his fever had broken, Alexander remained pale in the sickbed. His gaze swept the room before dimming noticeably.

"Evelyn had a work emergency. Your father drove her," Eleanor explained nervously.

Alexander gave a quiet "Hmm."

Madeline's eyes flashed with frustration. "I'm calling her back right now!"

"Nonsense!" the Patriarch snapped.

"How is this nonsense?" the matriarch exploded. "Is she the only busy one in this family? With Alexander this ill, she still cares about work?"

Her anger escalated. "Not that her work amounts to much—just endless scandals!"

"Enough," the Patriarch scowled.

Madeline turned on Eleanor. "Am I not even allowed to speak now? Do I have no place in this house anymore?"

"Mother, that's not what I meant—" Eleanor forced a conciliatory smile.

"Enough." Alexander's hoarse voice cut through. "I need quiet."

Madeline froze before tears spilled over. "You all find me tiresome, don't you? That Sinclair girl is the only precious one here now!"

She stormed out, wiping her eyes.

"Mother!" Eleanor moved to follow but was stopped by the Patriarch. "I'll go. You'll only bear the brunt of her temper."

Silence finally settled in the room.

"What exactly—" Eleanor began at last.

"Happy now?" Alexander's gaze was razor-sharp.

Eleanor laughed bitterly. "Happy? What mother would be happy seeing her son in this state?"

She turned on her heel. "What's the use of you anyway!"

Alexander picked up his phone, checking call records. Despite his fever, he remembered an incoming call.

Nathan Carter.

The line connected. "Lord Alex, are you feeling better?"

"What did you say earlier?"

"Just reminding you about today's schedule..." Nathan sounded confused.

"Who answered?" Alexander got straight to the point.