Chapter 91

Alexander's POV

I leaned against the hospital corridor wall, casually smoking a cigarette.

Lillian lay in the hospital bed, tears staining her pale face, her slender wrist wrapped in a blood-seeping bandage.

Instead of entering immediately, I chose to listen to the conversation from outside the door.

"Lillian, how could you be so foolish? You know the situation the Harber family is in right now. Why would you follow Sandra's reckless behavior? Aren't you afraid of what the Gray family might do?"

Mrs. Harber wiped her tears while trembling as she questioned Lillian.This worried mother looked even more fragile than Lillian lying in the hospital bed.

"What's the use of saying all this now? You should be grateful Alexander doesn't care about these matters!" Mr. Harber snapped irritably at his wife.

He turned to Lillian, who continued crying in bed, and said firmly, "Think about your actions. Stop bringing shame to the Harber family."

George's complex gaze fell upon me from the other end of the corridor. He approached me, his expression both angry and confused.

"How did you know Sandra and Lillian were at 'Velvet Mirage' last night? I thought you were in Suncrest City," George asked, his voice hiding a trace of nervousness.

I took a deep drag of my cigarette, letting the smoke linger in my lungs before slowly exhaling. "Have you forgotten who owns 'Velvet Mirage'?"

George narrowed his eyes, tension flickering in them. "It wasn't Scarlett who told you?"

Interesting, you're still concerned about her. My lips curled into a meaningful smile. "I can't control what my future aunt does. George, don't let love turn to hatred and shift blame onto me."

I tapped my cigarette, letting ash fall to the ground as I glanced at the hospital room.

I didn't feel even a hint of sympathy for Lillian; she was just an insignificant woman in an insignificant drama.

"I still don't understand why Richard suddenly withdrew from the project, even at the risk of breaching contract," George said, breaking the brief silence.

The resort project had been George's personally planned initiative. He had hoped that if successful, it would help him gain his father's approval.

Perhaps then, there might be a chance to reconsider his engagement to Sandra. But my uncle Richard had changed his mind midway through, breaking the contract, and somehow their competitor had offered a price one million dollars lower than theirs and successfully secured the partnership.

Naive George, always blind to the truth.

"You really don't know?" My lips curled into a smile as I patted George's shoulder.

"You know?" George looked surprised.

"Richard is vindictive. You coveted someone he wanted... isn't that clear enough?"

At this point, if George still didn't understand, he would truly be a complete fool.

"You mean..." He couldn't believe that the ultimate cause of the project's failure was himself.

"Take care of Lillian. Don't worry... I have no intention of canceling the engagement yet. But if she... tries something like suicide again, I can't guarantee anything."

I extinguished my cigarette and left the hospital, leaning on my cane.

Back in the car, Noah handed me a phone. "It's Alfred Wood on the line, still about the previous matter."

"How did you respond?" I asked, examining his expression.

Noah answered cautiously, "I only said we're still searching, with no leads yet. Mr. Wood seems quite anxious... I heard the Wood family is about to undergo significant changes."

My eyes flashed with intrigue. "Keep an eye on the Wood family, and... deal with those followers behind us. Don't let Richard exploit any openings."

"Yes, I'll send someone to handle it right away."

Tom got out midway while I continued to Majestic Oak Villa. Scarlett's image floated in my mind.

The woman had been adorably affectionate when drunk, completely different from her usual pretentious demeanor. I was somewhat looking forward to seeing her embarrassed face after her hangover.

When I arrived at Majestic Oak Villa, I only saw Luke playing with a dog in the courtyard, which irritated me.

"Even worse than a dog," I muttered.

Luke looked bewildered. "Sir, why are you suddenly insulting me?"

"You're useless, can't even keep someone here."

I headed upstairs with my cane and, to my surprise, spotted Scarlett on the walkway, holding a cat.

I had thought she'd left.

Golden sunlight bathed her figure, her slender fingers scratched under the cat's chin, and the small creature seemed to enjoy her touch, lying down and exposing its belly to her.

"Ungrateful," I murmured from behind her.

Scarlett turned around, looking up at me.

I noticed her gaze falling on my chin, where she had scratched me last night.

"What are you staring at?" I poked her back with my cane.

Scarlett rolled her eyes and walked toward her room with the cat in her arms.

Her arrogant attitude surprisingly amused me.

"Such attitude! You think you're something special?" Despite my words, I quickened my pace, following her with my cane.

As soon as I entered the room, Scarlett closed the door behind me, backing me against it with a serious expression.

"Did I scratch you last night?" she asked.

"Yes," I responded softly.

"Luke says I also vomited all over you?" Her expression grew increasingly uncomfortable.

"Yes," I nodded.

"What else did I say?" Scarlett became visibly nervous, afraid she might have said something inappropriate while drunk.

My gaze turned playful as I leaned closer, "You said you like me, and asked if I like you too."

"Impossible!" Scarlett denied immediately without thinking.

"Why is it impossible?" I had enough confidence in myself. Every woman who had been with me had been well-treated, and each one would fall in love with me.

"It's impossible because it's impossible. I will never like you..." Her voice lost conviction as she continued.

Is she denying her feelings for me because she's confused about her emotions? Or is there another reason?

"I will absolutely never fall for you!" she said fiercely.

My eyebrow raised imperceptibly, the fondness in my eyes gradually dissipating. Yet the cold smile on my lips grew increasingly intense.

How ungrateful! I was going to give her a chance to admit she liked me, but since that's how she wants it...

"If you don't like me... that's fine."

I wrapped my arm around her slender waist and flipped her underneath me.

"After all," I continued, "your body can't stay away from mine..."