Chapter 88: Twice in A Day?
While in one of the VIP ward rooms, Liam quietly laid Oliver into bed.
The little boy snuggled deeper into the blankets, letting out the faintest snore.
Liam grinned like a fool.
’Ah, so peaceful. Even his snoring sounds like a melody. Lucky kid.’
He quietly steps out of the room, softly closing the door. The second he was alone in the living room area, however, his expression shifted.
Duty called.
He pulled out his phone and typed a text message to his Boss.
"Boss, you’re not going to believe what just happened."
He hit send, stared at the screen, and then frowned.
Nothing.
No reply.
He checked his watch; two o’clock sharp.
"Boss must be in a meeting, right!?"
For a second, he considered leaving it there. But his fingers twitched, and before he could stop himself, he typed again.
"Boss, we are in the hospital. Again!"
Not even a minute after he hit send, his phone lit up and began to buzz.
The caller ID made his stomach drop. Axel Knight.
"Oh crap." Liam gulped but answered quickly, trying to sound casual. "B-Boss..."
"Seriously, Liam? What the hell happened there?" Axel’s voice was sharp.
Liam flinched as if someone had just thrown a bucket of ice water over his head. "W-well, you see..."
Before he could finish his words, Axel interrupted.
"Twice in one day?" Axel continued, his tone sharp enough to freeze bone. "Are you challenging me, Liam? Do you enjoy making me worry every damn hour?"
Worry? Liam almost laughed, but quickly bit his tongue. Did his Boss just admit to worrying? No, he must have misheard. More likely, Axel meant, ’Don’t make me waste my time, you useless bodyguard.’
"N-no, Boss! I swear I’m not challenging anyone. I... I’m very obedient!" Liam said, pacing the hallway like a trapped cat.
"Then explain. Clearly. Before I lose my patience and send you to Katmai, Alaska, to play with the bears!"
"Yes, Boss. Absolutely, sir..."
Liam wiped imaginary sweat from his brow, though Axel couldn’t see him.
"It’s like this... Evelyn suddenly met her younger sister, Stella Walters, at the restaurant. But, uh, there’s a... situation. Stella was sexually harassed..."
He lowered his voice even though no one was around.
"Lady Boss insisted we bring her here, to Hope Medical Center, for treatment. So now Lady Boss is with her in the exam room, and Young Master is asleep in the ward. Safe and sound."
Silence.
Axel gave him the silent treatment again.
Liam peeked at his phone, wondering if the call had dropped.
"Boss? ...Boss? Are you still there?"
"I heard you," Axel finally said, his voice sounding low but cold.
"Any instructions, sir?"
On the other end, Axel is silent again. His silence carried weight.
Axel spoke once more, his tone quietly composed, each word precisely chosen.
"Evelyn and her sister. They’re safe, for now."
"Yes, sir..." Liam answers. "Very safe."
"You will remain there until they’re finished," Axel ordered. "Assist with anything she wants. Call a few people to help you there."
"Yes, sir."
"And, Liam—"
"Yes, Boss?"
"Stop sending texts like an amateur. Call me. Directly. Every time."
"Yes, Boss. Understood."
The line ended. Axel had hung up without another word.
Liam exhaled slowly, lowering the phone. He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to release the tension knotted there.
Then,
He walks toward the sofa and settles there. He busied herself to make a few arrangements to assist him here.
Then, suddenly, a call from Evelyn surprised him.
"Liam, how’s Oliver?" Evelyn’s worried tone was audible.
"He is still asleep, Ma’am."
"We might finish up here in an hour before heading back to the apartment. Oh right... My sister will follow us. Also, could you help me get to my sister’s hotel to pick up her suitcase?"
"Sure, I will assign someone."
Evelyn informs him about Stella’s hotel.
"Understood, ma’am. No need to worry. I will take care of it."
...
They arrived at Willowcrest just as the sun was slowly setting behind the horizon.
Soon they reached the apartment, and the car stopped in the garage.
Evelyn unclipped her seatbelt, already bracing for the next round of questions from her curious little sister.
"Liam, prepare one unit on the fourth floor for my sister."
"I already did," Liam replied without missing a beat. "And her suitcase from her hotel has been retrieved and placed in the room."
Evelyn gave a slight nod. Of course, he had. Liam and his people operated like magicians. She had only whispered the request in the hospital, and voilà... suitcase already delivered.
Honestly, she didn’t know whether to be impressed or terrified by how fast and meticulously they operated.
"Young master, would you like me to carry you?" Liam bent to help Oliver out of his car seat.
Oliver shook his head, "No. I can walk."
"But you look exhausted," Liam insisted, his arms ready to carry him.
"No, Uncle Liam. I can walk. See? See? I’m not tired!" And just like that, he bolted toward the elevator.
Evelyn pressed her lips together to keep from laughing. ’Totally not tired. If stubbornness were a fuel source, this kid could power the whole city grid.’
"Lady Boss, if you need anything, please call," Liam said, straightening again.
"Hmm. Go get some rest. And thank you," she replied with a polite nod, taking Stella’s hand as they trailed after Oliver.
But before they could catch up, Stella tugged her to a halt. Her wide eyes sparkled with curiosity, and her voice dropped to a whisper.
"Sis, would you mind answering my questions now? Also, why do you have a bodyguard? Liam calls you Lady Boss. He also calls Oliver ’young master. And you seem to own this building. Did you...marry a hidden tycoon?"
Evelyn silently swallowed.
’Oh, here we go... Interrogation, round four. And if Stella knew who Oliver’s father really was, she wouldn’t just gasp... Then she’d faint, get up, and faint again. And then, straight to the ICU.’
"Well... I’m not sure if he qualifies to be called a tycoon. Still, he is indeed wealthier than average wealthy men," Evelyn said casually, tugging her along as the elevator chimed.