Chapter 64 Abandoned for That Vile Woman
"Alex... I feel dizzy..." Celeste's voice trembled, her body swaying unsteadily.
Alexander was halfway through the doorway when the sound froze him. He turned sharply, catching sight of Celeste's pale face, her unfocused eyes, one hand pressed to her forehead as if her strength had completely drained away.
A jolt of concern shot through him. In two strides he was back, just in time to catch her before she collapsed.
"Celeste!" His voice was taut. "What's wrong? Where does it hurt?"
"I... I don't know..." She leaned into his chest, her words barely audible. "It just hit me... my head spinning, everything going dark, no strength in my body... Alex, am I going to die?"
Could it be low blood sugar?
His pupils tightened. A memory flashed—sunlight streaming across the garden, Edith laughing on the swing, forgetting lunch in her playfulness... then suddenly going pale, breaking into a cold sweat. She had slumped into his arms, whispering in a fading voice, "Alex... am I going to die?"
Edith had struggled with hypoglycemia for years. More than once it had been dangerous. And every time, he had been there.
The urgency in him shifted, replaced by something softer. His arms tightened instinctively, holding Celeste closer.
"Don't say that. You'll be fine." He scooped her up without hesitation, carrying her swiftly back to the sofa. He eased her down so she was half-reclining in his lap, his hand steady at her back.
"Waiter—sweet water! Warm!" His voice was low but urgent toward the doorway.
The servant hurried out and returned with a cup of honey water, steam curling from the surface.
Alexander took it, testing the temperature with a touch. Then, with one arm around Celeste, he brought the rim to her lips. "Here... slowly."
Celeste's lashes lifted faintly as she sipped, her lips brushing the edge of the cup. Warmth slid down her throat, and beneath her lowered lashes, a glint of satisfaction flickered.
Yes... mimic Edith perfectly enough, and in the critical moment, she could pull Alexander's heartstrings, redirect his focus with ease. Something Caroline could never achieve.
By the time the cup was empty, Celeste's breathing had steadied. Still, she remained draped against him, as if even sitting upright would be too much.
"Better?" he asked, though his brow stayed furrowed.
"Mmm... much better. Thank you, Alex." She gave a faint nod, her fingers resting lightly on his wrist. "I'm sorry... I'm so useless, especially now... Caroline still hasn't been found. She could be in danger. Don't worry about me—go find her. I can rest here."
She made a weak attempt to rise, only to fall back again.
Alexander's thoughts tangled. He should go after Caroline immediately... but Celeste's face was still pale. How could he leave her alone?
Before he could decide, his phone rang on the coffee table.
Liam.
His stomach dropped. He snatched up the phone. "Report."
"Sir! Bad news!" Liam's voice was tight with urgency. "The surveillance... it's been compromised. We only recovered footage of Mrs. Hamilton leaving the banquet hall alone, heading toward the front courtyard. But from that point on, all cameras covering the outer perimeter went down—exactly during the time she would have passed through."
Alexander's grip on the phone hardened. "Explain."
"Security says the system was fine during the last check. Just minutes before we accessed it, the files were corrupted. Tech is trying to restore them, but it looks like a virus was planted. It's deliberate."
Alexander's eyes chilled. Surveillance down—only where Caroline would have been? This was no accident. Someone had planned this.
"She's been targeted," Liam said grimly. "If she was taken—"
The last trace of hesitation in Alexander vanished.
His gaze cut to Celeste, still curled in his arms. Her resemblance to Edith was striking... yet now it felt almost intrusive. Caroline might be a sinner, but that didn't mean she could be harmed under his watch. If she died, it would be by his hand, not anyone else's.
"Celeste." He shifted her gently onto the sofa. "Listen to me. I'm going after Caroline. I'm not leaving you alone—two maids will stay here until I return or arrange for you to be taken home. You rest. Don't go anywhere."
Celeste blinked, her fragile facade cracking for a moment. He was leaving her? For Caroline?
"Alex, I—" she began, but he was already turning away.
At the door, he spoke to the staff. Two maids entered at once.
"Stay with Celeste," he instructed, then into the phone: "Mobilize everyone. Lock down the hotel and every exit within three miles. Check all road cameras. No detail missed. I'll meet you in the control room."
He strode out without a second glance.
"Alex! Alex!" Celeste called after him twice, but he didn't turn.
The room fell quiet except for the two maids exchanging uncertain looks.
Celeste's frailty vanished like smoke.
He had gone. He had left her—without even a glance—all for Caroline.
She clenched her jaw. "Fine. Alexander, you've forced my hand," she murmured.
She snatched up her handbag and moved for the door.
"Miss, your condition—Mr. Hamilton ordered you not to leave alone!" one maid protested.
"My family is missing. You think I'll sit here?" Celeste's tone was sharp.
The maids hesitated, unwilling to defy her outright.
Celeste slipped past them without pause.
Outside, in a deserted hallway, she pulled out her phone, dialing a number.
It rang once before a man's voice answered, breathless. "Miss?"
"It's done, Miss. She's been taken."
"Taken? I told you to end it."