Chapter 133 He Might Be in Trouble
Alexander shoved Liam away and stumbled toward the landscaped border, bending over to retch violently.
"Mr. Hamilton!" Liam stepped forward quickly, patting his back to help him through it.
Celeste hurried over, frowning as she addressed Liam. "Alex is really drunk. If he gets in the car like this, the ride will make it worse. Let's get him somewhere he can breathe and recover a little. You should contact the doctor and have someone bring something for the nausea. Once he feels better, we can leave. Okay?"
Liam glanced at Alexander's pale face. The suggestion seemed reasonable.
He steadied Alexander with one hand and gave brisk orders to a nearby guard with the other. "Quick. Contact the family doctor. Have him bring something for the alcohol. Deliver it to…"
He scanned the area. "The second-floor terrace lounge. We'll take Mr. Hamilton there."
With that settled, he and Celeste supported Alexander between them, one on each side, heading back toward the ballroom.
At the villa, Caroline sat curled in a wicker chair on the master bedroom terrace, gazing down at the shadowed garden below.
An image drifted through her mind—some future evening with a gentle breeze, Alexander finishing his work, perhaps willing to leave his study and come out here to sit beside her.
They would not need to talk. Just sit quietly together. Or maybe she could make him chamomile tea and watch the tension leave his face in the fragrance and the night air.
The thought made her smile.
"Ma'am, the wind's picking up. You should come inside and rest."
Kenna approached with a light blanket, draping it gently over Caroline's shoulders.
"Your injuries haven't healed yet. You can't catch a chill."
Caroline nodded obediently and let Kenna help her to her feet.
But just as they reached the bedroom door, Caroline stopped.
She frowned. "What time is it?"
Kenna glanced at the antique clock on the wall. "Almost ten-thirty."
"Ten-thirty…" Caroline repeated quietly, her frown growing deeper. "When does Alexander usually get back from these events?"
Kenna answered casually, "Mr. Hamilton's schedule varies. It depends on the nature of the event and what business he's conducting. But these corporate dinners usually wrap up around nine."
She tried to guide Caroline toward the bed.
Caroline didn't move.
"Ma'am? What's wrong?" Kenna looked up, confused.
Caroline seemed not to hear her. She kept murmuring, "Ten-thirty already… it's already ten-thirty…"
Kenna understood immediately what she was worried about and tried to soothe her. "Ma'am, don't overthink it. Mr. Hamilton was probably held up at the event or went somewhere else with clients to discuss business. He's very busy. Sometimes he comes home late. Sometimes he doesn't come home at all. Don't scare yourself…"
"No!" Caroline shook her head sharply. "He just promised me about the terrace. He said he'd come see it tonight! It's this late and there's no word—something must have happened to him!"
She yanked her hand from Kenna's grip and rushed for the bedroom door.
"Ma'am! Where are you going?!" Kenna cried, chasing after her.
Caroline didn't know where she was going or why she felt this way, but a terrible premonition gripped her chest.
"Open the door! I need to go out!"
She ran downstairs barefoot, shouting at the guards stationed in the main hall.
"Stop Mrs. Hamilton!" Kenna called urgently.
The guards at the door moved forward immediately, but seeing Caroline's injuries, they didn't dare use force. They blocked the entrance and tried to reason with her. "Ma'am, Mr. Hamilton gave strict orders. You can't leave without authorization. It's not safe outside. You…"
Kenna caught up, breathless, and grabbed Caroline's trembling arm. "Ma'am! Please calm down! Don't panic. Let's call Liam first. Maybe Mr. Hamilton is just on his way home…"
"Hurry! Call them! Ask where they are!"
Kenna pulled out her phone immediately.
Alexander's line rang with no answer.
She tried Liam's number.
Still no answer.
She would not give up. She called several guards she knew personally.
Every single one—either powered off or unanswered.
The color drained completely from Caroline's face.
Alexander and everyone with him weren't answering… something had definitely happened!
She turned sharply, trying to push past the guards and run outside.
"Ma'am! You can't go out!" Kenna and the guards blocked her path.
"Let me go! I have to find him! I have to find Alexander! If you won't let me go, I'll drive myself! I'll crawl there if I have to!"
While the guard was distracted, she snatched the car keys from his pocket, ran toward a car in the courtyard, yanked the door open, and tried to climb in.
"Ma'am! No! You're injured! You can't drive!" Kenna panicked, lunging forward to pull her back.
Caroline gripped the steering wheel and refused to let go.
"Either you drive me to find Alexander right now, or I drive myself. Choose!"
Kenna saw her foot already pressing the gas pedal and nearly fainted with fear.
She would actually do it.
Kenna's heart pounded. She knew there was no stopping her tonight.
She bit down hard and shouted at the guard, "What are you standing there for! Get in the car! Take Mrs. Hamilton to find Mr. Hamilton! Call more people! Follow us!"
The guard snapped out of his daze, rushed forward, and carefully helped Caroline from the driver's seat to the back.
The car sped out of Ravenwood Manor's gates.
Kenna stood at the entrance, watching the taillights disappear down the road. Her heart pounded wildly. She turned to the arriving guards. "Quick! Send more cars! Follow them! Protect Mrs. Hamilton! Tonight… I'm afraid something terrible is really happening."
The ballroom erupted into chaos.
A group of mobsters burst through the doors, firing shots wildly and sending guests scattering in terror.
They advanced rapidly toward the wooden door leading to the terrace.
Liam clenched his jaw and threw his weight against the door as it shuddered under violent impacts. He reached for the security bolt, but another brutal slam from outside nearly knocked him off balance.