Chapter 195 Never Learn How to Say Goodbye
But Liam said this was about Linus.
"Linus?" Alexander's head snapped up, his eyes widening in shock.
"Yes, sir." Liam nodded gravely. "We questioned everyone who was on duty that day—all the servants, bodyguards, and medical staff. Finally, a nurse who was near Mrs. Hamilton's room at the time recalled hearing her faintly call out a name... Linus."
Alexander's chest tightened.
Linus was back?
And he had gone straight to Caroline?
He slipped onto the island unnoticed and left as if he had never been there, despite the tight security.
Alexander's heart clenched.
He wanted to hurt Caroline.
"Also, we traced a passenger who arrived in Grandhaven from London half a month ago—that was the tenth day you were held at the old mansion. He checked in under the name Kieran, but his appearance closely matches Linus."
"Where is he?" Alexander asked coldly.
"He's in Grandhaven. We're monitoring him, but he's very careful—he hasn't fallen for our traps. It seems... he's waiting for someone."
Waiting for someone?
Alexander was almost instantly certain the man was Linus.
As for who Linus was waiting for, Alexander figured it was him.
It seemed that if he did not show up, Linus would not let this go.
Alexander's first instinct was that no matter what Linus did, he wanted to stay by Caroline's side himself.
But after hearing Liam's report on the island's defenses, Alexander hesitated.
The island's defense system had been nearly destroyed in the last battle.
"Initial assessment shows the surveillance network, power grid, and three hidden bunkers on the east and south sides are completely destroyed. The repair work is massive—it will take at least three to four months, and we cannot restore the same level of concealment and strength as before. While we can urgently deploy more personnel from Grandhaven or other locations to strengthen security, sir, this is still an isolated island—a visible target. Once a prepared enemy locks onto it and attacks, without depth and complex terrain for cover, we will all be sitting ducks."
Alexander fell silent.
He could not fool himself anymore.
The fact that his father's people had broken through the defenses, and that Linus had infiltrated and nearly harmed Caroline, proved there were huge security gaps here. After that battle, this place was no longer safe.
He could not keep Caroline and the child here.
They had to leave.
And before they left, he had to eliminate the biggest threat completely.
Otherwise, no matter where they went, Caroline would never have peace of mind.
"He's waiting for me. He knows Caroline is my weakness, knows I will not allow any threat near her. So he deliberately left clues to let me know he's in Grandhaven. Since I am the one he's waiting for, for Caroline's absolute safety, even knowing it is a trap, I have to go meet him. I have to deal with him myself."
It was a blatant trap. Linus had calculated that he would risk everything for Caroline.
"Sir! This is too dangerous!" Liam urged anxiously.
"Linus has been hiding for years. His sudden appearance means he's fully prepared. The situation in Grandhaven is complicated. Though we have temporarily suppressed Armando's side, we cannot rule out cooperation between them and Linus. If you go in person, you are walking right into the danger zone."
"I know," Alexander cut him off.
"Precisely because I know it is dangerous, I have to go."
Staying on the island meant passive defense. Taking the initiative at least let him control the battlefield far from Caroline.
"Besides, only if I show up will Linus come out of hiding, and only then will we have a chance to eliminate the threat completely."
He paused, taking a deep breath.
"Liam, listen carefully. I am going to Grandhaven personally to deal with Linus. You stay here and take full charge of the island's security while I am gone. I am giving you the highest authority—you can mobilize all our available resources and personnel in this region. Security must be raised to the highest level. Caroline and the child's safety comes first—and only. Understood?"
"Sir..." Liam wanted to say more, but seeing the determination in Alexander's eyes, he knew objections were pointless.
He could only nod heavily. "Yes, sir. I will protect Mrs. Hamilton and Miss Hamilton's safety with my life."
"No, Liam." Alexander shook his head. "You need to make sure you stay alive too. You have more important things to do."
He walked up to Liam and placed both hands on his shoulders.
"If something happens to me, immediately take your most trusted people and escort Caroline and the child away from here—to the estate in Valloria or Montelucia. I will arrange all the funds, identity documents, and medical team in advance. After that, you stay with them, live under assumed names, far from the Hamilton family, Grandhaven, and any conflict. You will be their last line of protection. Can you do that?"
Liam's eyes instantly reddened.
Having followed Alexander for years through countless life-and-death situations, he had never heard Alexander give such solemn final instructions.
This meant Alexander was prepared for the worst.
"Sir! You will return safely!" Liam's voice choked.
"Answer me, Liam." Alexander's voice suddenly turned stern.
"Can you do it? Swear it on your life and honor!"
Tears rolled down Liam's cheeks.
He straightened his back, his voice steady and low. "I, Liam, swear on my life and honor—if you should come to harm, I will stop at nothing to see them safely away, and I will spend the rest of my days protecting them. If I break this vow, may I be cast into the fires of hell, never to find redemption."
It was an oath so heavy it was suffocating.
Alexander looked at the tears in his eyes, his heart aching.
He solemnly embraced Liam.
"Good. Remember your oath." He turned away, no longer looking at Liam's tear-filled eyes.
"Go make the arrangements. I need to say goodbye to Caroline first."
He turned and walked toward Caroline's room.
Caroline still lay there quietly. Standing in the doorway, Alexander suddenly felt a thousand words stuck in his throat, unable to come out.
How should they say goodbye?
It seemed he had never learned how to do this his whole life.