Chapter 263 Hope for Mark
Alexander's hand, which had been holding that patch of empty air, paused. The smile on his face slowly faded.
"What happened? Who's giving Mark trouble?"
Della knelt on the floor, looking up at him. Her lips trembled, but no words came.
How could she explain? That Mark had been captured by Ralph? That Ralph had publicly declared war? That all of Grandhaven was laughing at the Hamilton family? That all of this was because Alexander had lost his grip on reality and couldn't handle things himself, which gave Ralph the opening he needed?
Seeing her staring up at him in silence, Alexander's brow furrowed. He figured Della must be terrified, so he softened his tone.
"Don't be afraid. Just tell me straight. With me here, no one can touch you."
Della took a deep breath and forced back the tears welling in her eyes. Carefully, tentatively, she began, "Sir... do you remember Carl?"
Alexander raised an eyebrow, "I remember. My father's bastard son."
Della's heart beat faster, and she leaned forward, "Then... do you remember the Cook family? Carl's in-laws."
"Of course I remember." Alexander's tone carried a hint of disdain. "Ralph's been throwing his weight around Grandhaven for decades, coasting on what his father built, thinking no one can touch him."
Della nearly cried with relief, but she held back and continued probing, "Do you remember... that Armando once tried to hurt Mrs. Hamilton and even kidnapped you? You were so angry you locked him and Carl up together?"
Alexander's body went rigid.
Della was startled by the sudden shift and instinctively shrank back. She thought she'd said something wrong, something that aroused his suspicion, and for a moment even her breathing became shallow.
"Did they go after Mark?" Alexander's voice turned cold.
Della froze. He'd guessed it immediately.
In that moment, she seemed to see the old Alexander again—that man who was always alert, always three steps ahead. Seeing a glimmer of hope in the darkness, Della's tears spilled over.
"Yes!" She nodded vigorously. "Sir, Mark hasn't come back for days! He was taken by Ralph! Ralph's also spreading rumors, saying... saying that you sent Mark to harm Carl's wife, causing her to go into premature labor, nearly killing her. That's why he took Mark!"
"Bullshit!" Alexander slammed the table. "When did I ever send anyone after Carl's wife? What is that woman to me that I'd waste my time? Ralph must have a death wish, touching my people and dragging my name through the mud!"
The weight on Della's heart finally lifted. As long as Alexander still remembered these grudges, as long as his anger was still there, Mark could be saved.
"Sir, are you going to get Mark back?"
"Damn right I am!" Alexander said without hesitation. Then he turned to look at the empty space beside him and ordered, "Liam, go prep the car and get a security team together. I want to see just how bold Ralph thinks he is, holding my man hostage."
Della's smile froze.
Alexander was giving orders to thin air, and after finishing, he even nodded, as if he'd heard a response. Then he turned toward the sofa and spoke again.
"Caroline, I'm heading out for a bit. I'll be back soon. You and the baby wait for me at home. Don't worry."
He walked to the sofa, bent down, and seemed to kiss someone's forehead. Then he straightened up, adjusted his collar, and strode toward the door.
Della stood there, her hands and feet numb with cold.
He'd told Liam to make arrangements. But Liam was long gone.
Now in Alexander's delusion, "Liam" was just a phantom ready to follow orders at any time. This phantom wouldn't dispatch people for him, wouldn't arrange vehicles, couldn't even open a door for him.
What was more terrifying was that Della didn't know if he would simply imagine a security team and walk in there alone. That would be suicide.
Fortunately, Della hadn't left yet and caught the problem in time. While Alexander was saying his tender goodbyes to "Caroline," Della pulled out her phone, her fingers shaking as she found the security captain's number and quickly typed out a message.
[Mr. Hamilton is going out. Get to the entrance NOW and stand by. Say Liam arranged it. HURRY!]
The moment the message sent, Alexander had already pushed open the door. Della took a deep breath and hurried after him.
At the entrance, eight security personnel were already lined up, black SUVs arranged in formation. The security captain stood at the front, and seeing Alexander emerge, immediately stepped forward and gave a slight bow.
"Sir, Liam asked us to wait here. The cars are ready. We can leave whenever you are."
Alexander nodded with satisfaction and turned to look beside him, "Liam, you work fast. Well done."
He descended the stairs, then his movement suddenly paused. Della's heart leapt into her throat.
She saw Alexander turn around, looking toward the doorway, his lips curving slightly.
"Go back inside. It's windy out here." He said to that patch of empty air, waving gently. "Don't stand there. You'll catch cold. I'll be back soon."
He raised his hand, pressed his fingertips to his lips, and blew a kiss in that direction. Only then did he turn around, open the car door, and climb in.
Della stood on the steps, watching the vehicles roll through the gate and disappear down the tree-lined drive. She couldn't help but close her eyes. She pressed her palms together against her forehead and whispered, "Sir, Mark... you both have to come back safe... you have to..."
Alexander's convoy pulled up to the Cook estate within minutes.
The gatekeeper, seeing it was Alexander, nearly jumped out of his skin. He looked like he'd seen a ghost, taking a moment to recover.
The gatekeeper hurried forward but didn't dare let them through. He could only ask nervously, "Mr. Hamilton, may I ask what brings you here?"
Alexander looked coldly at the gatekeeper and said nothing for two full minutes. He gave the man a withering look, then withdrew his gaze and stared straight ahead, clearly waiting for the gatekeeper to open the gate.
The gatekeeper was baffled. Now that the two families were at war, everyone knew Alexander's visit couldn't mean anything good. The gatekeeper knew damn well he couldn't stop Alexander anyway.
But the arrogance—saying nothing at all, just expecting him to cave and open the gate?
Just then, Alexander suddenly spoke, "Didn't you hear what Liam said? Open the gate."