Chapter 272 Visiting

Chapter 272 Visiting

Evelyn's eyes were fixed on her daughter, scanning her from head to toe.

"Alice, are you hurt? Did Samara do anything to you?"

"Nothing much. Just got some of her blood on me." Alice pulled out a wet wipe, her tone matter-of-fact as she carefully cleaned her hands and face.

Evelyn didn't know what to say to that. She wanted to repair things between them but had no idea where to start.

Sidney suddenly asked, "Is everything at the company sorted out?"

Alice glanced at Robert, whose face had gone dark. "Yeah. I'll head over after we check on Stella. Since he's in the car anyway, I'll have him come along to headquarters and announce in person that he's handing over all authority to me. Effective immediately."

Sidney looked a little concerned. "What if he refuses?"

Alice's tone was casual as she pulled a baseball bat from under the seat. "What else? Beat some sense into him. I'm not exactly known for playing nice."

Every word of their conversation reached Robert's ears.

His face went pale, his aged features trembling with each breath. "Alice, I'm sitting right here."

"I know. That's why I'm saying it." Alice narrowed her eyes and nodded seriously. "So I'd really rather not have to lay hands on your old bones. Please cooperate."

Robert had been ready to tear into her, but seeing the bat in her hand — and knowing the driver was one of Alice's people — he swallowed every word.

For the first time, Robert took a hard look at this daughter of his.

She was young, beautiful, well-connected, capable.

But unfortunately, since she refused to fall in line, she'd have to be dealt with. Sooner or later.

Evelyn had lived with him long enough to read his thoughts like a headline. She grabbed Alice's hand, her tone firm. "Alice, I think you should just tie him up. Don't go easy on him."

Alice was genuinely surprised. She hadn't expected Evelyn to say something like that. Then again, it made sense.

Anyone who's been disappointed enough times eventually changes.

"You want your parents' company to go under!" Robert instinctively reached for his old playbook, but when he met Evelyn's eyes — full of nothing but hatred — the rest of his threat died in his throat.

"I told you a long time ago — whether you bankrupt them or kill them, it's got nothing to do with me anymore! I don't care about them now, and besides, do you even have that kind of power left?" There were tears in her eyes, but hatred too. She was nothing like the gentle, yielding woman she used to be.

Robert's anger immediately pivoted back to Alice. "Look what you've done to her! A perfectly respectable wife, and now she's acting like she's lost her mind."

"Isn't it great? After all, she's telling the truth. You're the real bastard here." Alice leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes, as if settling in for a nap.

Robert raised his hand, ready to teach this insolent daughter a lesson.

Sidney stretched lazily and said with a smile, "Robert, you don't want to lose that hand, do you? If that slap lands, I'll have the driver stick your arm out the window and slam us into a wall. Snap it clean off."

He smiled brightly, but his words were cold as steel.

Robert's rage immediately cooled, leaving only the venom in his eyes.

He swore to himself that he would drive Alice and Sidney out of the Hall family for good.

As for Evelyn, he'd drag her back into her old life and put her on her knees at his feet where she belonged.

The car pulled up to the hospital entrance soon after.

The three of them got out and were quickly escorted by staff to Stella's room.

The moment Stella saw Alice, her face went pale. She forced a smile. "Alice — what are you doing here?"

"Checking in on your recovery. Am I not welcome?"

"Of course not! I'm glad you came. And Mom and Dad — you're here too."

When Stella noticed the two people behind Alice, her demeanor shifted noticeably. More cautious.

Robert saw this and felt better immediately. He still thought this adopted daughter was the better one — she knew how to read the room, unlike Alice, who in his view would only ever be a liability.

"Stella, are you feeling better? I can't believe something like this happened in our family. Thank God you weren't hurt."

Stella threw herself into his arms, eyes full of wounded innocence. "I'm sorry for making you worry."

The two of them clung to each other, both in tears.

Alice watched the performance and let out a cold laugh. "Looks like you're fine. Let's go."

Evelyn didn't step forward to check on Stella at all.

Stella found that strange. "Dad, where are you going?"

"To announce the heir, obviously. Mr. Hall, don't tell me you're planning to back out now?"

Alice's eyes carried an unmistakable threat, as if the moment he said no, she'd make good on her promise.

Robert was about to object when he noticed four or five men in black standing just outside the hospital entrance. He had no idea when they'd arrived.

They were built like brick walls, looking like they could tear their shirts off and start swinging at any moment.

Alice stood among them and flashed Robert a brilliant smile. "After you."

Evelyn kept her eyes down. "I'll stay here with Stella. You all go ahead."

She'd originally wanted to go along, but she was afraid something else might happen with Stella. This was what she could do for Alice right now.

Alice gave a faint acknowledgment. She didn't look at her again.

Robert was herded forward by the bodyguards, seething with resentment.

Sidney was in high spirits, hands behind his head, keeping Dabai close to Alice's side. "Alice, do you really think we can take down the Hall family this time?"

"Absolutely. Once I've got full control, I'll split it with you fifty-fifty. Tonight we'll celebrate. Just the two of us."

Alice hadn't forgotten the promise she'd made him. "This time without Michael."

Sidney nodded emphatically. "Damn right. Stay away from Michael. That guy's got a one-track mind."

Alice nodded in full agreement.

Ever since Michael had discovered just how much he enjoyed sex, he wanted to sleep with her anytime, anywhere.

Robert's face was ashen as they pushed him forward from behind.

His eyes kept darting around, growing more anxious by the second.

He'd already contacted people from the Reyes family, finally offering up the entire Hall family as a bargaining chip to Byron, only asking him to step in and help.

Byron had clearly agreed, so why the hell hadn't he shown up yet?

If Byron didn't come soon, he really would be forced back to headquarters by this bitch.

Alice caught his constantly shifting expression out of the corner of her eye and knew there'd be more trouble ahead.

Sidney leaned closer and lowered his voice. "That bastard met with people from the Reyes family and stayed holed up in there for almost three hours. They've probably already worked out a deal."

"I figured. No wonder he's so confident right now. I just don't know if the one person who can actually help him will step in and save him in time."

Alice picked up her phone. She knew clearly that this time she really needed Michael's help.

As if on cue, just as she unlocked her screen, Michael's call came through.

"Alice, I miss you."

Ever since Michael had stopped pretending, he'd become impossibly clingy.

Alice's expression softened. "Can you do me a favor? I need you to keep Byron occupied. Robert's already teamed up with the Reyes family. I'm afraid something might go sideways later."