Chapter 63

It was 10 pm, and Alexander still hadn't returned home. Lilly, growing increasingly worried, tried calling him twice, but he didn't answer. This was unusual, as Alexander typically picked up her calls immediately. She recalled him mentioning he would be hanging out with Richard and Ethan, so she decided to give Ethan a call. After the first ring, he picked up.

"Lilly?" he answered, his voice slightly strained.

"Hi, Ethan. Is Alexander with you? He’s not answering his phone," Lilly inquired, anxiety lacing her tone.

Ethan, standing outside Sophia's office, glanced towards Alexander, who was sitting nearby. He wasn't sure how to tell Lilly that Alexander and Richard had a fight, resulting in Richard being hospitalized. He took a deep breath, trying to keep his voice steady.

"He’s fine and will be home soon..."

Before he could finish, Sophia took the phone from his hand, her face stern and concerned.

"Sophia? What's going on?" Lilly asked, her worry escalating.

Sophia gave Ethan a cold look before walking away to speak privately with Lilly.

"Hello? Hello, Ethan?" Lilly’s voice quivered on the other end.

"It’s me, Sophia."

"Sophia, did something happen?" Lilly's heart raced.

"Yes, something did."

Sophia's voice carried an edge of frustration and concern. Lilly stood up from the couch, her mind racing. "Is Alexander okay? What’s going on?" she pressed.

"Alexander and my husband fought, and they’re both in the hospital right now," Sophia revealed.

Sophia and Richard had married two years ago and now had a toddler named Theo.

"What? Why? Are they badly hurt?" Lilly asked, panic setting in.

"Richard is."

Lilly could hear the pain in Sophia's voice. "I'm coming over," she said, hanging up quickly. She changed out of her nightclothes and hurried out of the room. She checked on Viola, who was sound asleep, before heading downstairs.

"Ma'am, are you going somewhere?" Clara asked, noticing Lilly’s hurried pace.

"Yes, Clara. Please look after Viola. I’m going to the hospital and will be back."

"Is everything alright, ma'am?" Clara asked, concern evident in her voice.

"I'll explain when I return, Clara," Lilly replied, rushing out the door.

Clara nodded, worried but not pressing further. The fact that Alexander wasn’t home yet only added to her concern.

"Ma'am, where are you headed at this hour? The boss instructed you not to leave the house at night," Pedro said, seeing her step out.

"He's in the hospital, Pedro. Take me there now," Lilly instructed firmly.

"The boss is in the hospital?" Pedro asked, surprised.

"Yes, now get the car," Lilly insisted.

Pedro nodded and quickly fetched a bulletproof Audi from the garage. He drove her to the hospital without delay.

Upon arriving, Lilly took the elevator to Sophia's floor. As she approached Sophia's office, she saw Alexander sitting on a bench with a bandaged hand.

"Alexander!" she exclaimed, rushing towards him. She hugged him tightly, inspecting him for injuries. Aside from his bandaged hand, he seemed relatively unscathed. This meant Richard must be the one badly hurt. What had happened?

"What are you doing here?" Alexander asked, his voice tinged with frustration.

"Why did you and Richard fight? Sophia said you two fought. I’ve never seen you fight before," Lilly questioned, concern evident in her eyes.

"Why didn't you just call instead of coming here?" Alexander retorted.

"I gave you two missed calls. Why didn't you pick up?" Lilly countered.

Alexander stared at her in silence for a moment, then stood up, pulling her along with him. "Let’s go home," he said curtly.

"I need to see Richard first," Lilly insisted, trying to walk away, but he held her back.

"Sophia will take care of him. Let’s go," Alexander replied.

Lilly pulled her hand free and walked into Sophia's office. She saw Sophia tending to Richard, who was severely injured. Unlike Alexander, Richard was in bad shape.

"Richard," Lilly said softly, approaching them.

Sophia turned to her, her expression softening. "Lilly, you’re here."

"How did this happen?" Lilly asked, her voice trembling.

"Didn't Alexander tell you?" Sophia asked, surprised.

"He didn’t explain why you both fought," Lilly replied, glancing at Richard.

Richard sighed deeply. "Wait until he tells you himself," he said, indicating it wasn’t his place to explain.

"Alexander is still angry, so you’d better take him home. I don’t want another fight," Sophia advised seriously.

Lilly nodded. "Get well soon, Richard," she said, turning to leave. Whatever had caused Alexander to fight Richard so fiercely, it must have been significant.

Outside the office, she found Alexander waiting. She looked at him briefly before walking past him towards the elevator. She heard his footsteps behind her, indicating he was following.

As the elevator doors opened, Ethan stepped out. "Lilly, you came," he said, about to say more but stopping when he saw Alexander.

"Good night, you two," Ethan said, walking past them.

Lilly entered the elevator, followed by Alexander. They rode in silence.

Reaching the underground garage, Lilly got into the back seat of Alexander’s car. He joined her, instructing the chauffeur to drive home. Pedro followed in the car he had driven Lilly in.

Lilly glanced at Alexander’s bandaged wrist and sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and concern. She looked at his face, noting the calm demeanor that replaced his earlier anger.

"What happened?" she asked again. "Richard is in a bad shape. Why would you fight him?"

"Friends quarrel," Alexander replied shortly.

"What kind of quarrel leads to this, Alexander?" Lilly pressed.

"You don’t need to know," he snapped.

"I don’t need to know?" Lilly repeated, disbelief in her voice.

"Yes," he said firmly.

"Fine," Lilly said, turning to look out the window, ignoring him.

Alexander watched her until they arrived home. She stepped out and headed upstairs to their room.

She changed into her nightclothes and found Alexander in the room. Ignoring him, she tried to pass, but he pulled her back.

"What?" she asked, exasperated.

"Don’t be like this," Alexander pleaded.

"Why not, when you’re keeping things from me?" she retorted.

"Things?" he asked, feigning ignorance.

"I know there’s a serious reason you fought Richard, but you won’t tell me. What's wrong?" she pressed, searching his eyes for answers.

Alexander remained silent, and Lilly pulled away again.

"Are you really going to bed angry?" he asked.

"Yes, if that’s what you want," she replied.

He sighed. "It was a friend's quarrel. We’ll sort it out."

Realizing it was futile, Lilly gave up. "I’ll sleep now. I have work tomorrow."

Alexander left the room, and Lilly sighed tiredly.

The next morning, Lilly woke up to find Alexander cuddling her. She stared at his peaceful face, then remembered the previous night. Thinking of Richard’s injuries, she grew angry again.

Lilly traced his face with her hand, waking him. He smiled. "Good morning."

"Mm," she responded, still upset.

"No good morning for me?" he asked, teasing.

"No," she replied, firm.

He kissed her. "But I can get a kiss."

"Stolen kiss," she said, trying to get up, but he tightened his hold.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"Work," she replied.

"It’s Saturday," he reminded her.

"I work on Saturdays, and so do you," she said, matter-of-factly.

"Not today. We’re spending it with Viola," he declared.

She wanted to, but she had an urgent meeting with her grandfather. "There’s a meeting. Grandfather will be there."

"Postpone it," Alexander insisted.

"I can’t," she argued.

"You will," he said firmly.

Alexander was determined to spend the day with his family, meeting or not.