Chapter 233

Elizabeth grabbed Esme’s arm and shoved her back. Scowling, Elizabeth yelled, “Are you done yet?” The room went silent. Esme fell to the ground, her face red, two buttons popping off her shirt. Tears streamed down her face as she looked up at Elizabeth. “Elizabeth, did you just hit me?”

“So what if I did? You deserve it, acting like a lunatic!” Elizabeth’s voice was icy.

Esme pointed at Elizabeth, gasping and crying. She pulled out her phone and called Alexander, sobbing, “Alexander, Elizabeth hit me. Come quick!”

“Esme!” Laura shouted, “Why drag Dr. Percy into this?”

Esme knelt, glaring at Elizabeth with hatred. Laura’s concerns meant nothing; it was Elizabeth she despised.

At the nurses’ station, Sunny treated Esme’s scratches, glancing nervously at Alexander. Alexander, in a black suit with a crooked tie, looked worried. He was exceptionally handsome, with a defined jawline and thick eyelashes. The tension was high. Sunny, close to Alexander for the first time, barely dared to breathe.

“Alexander, it hurts,” Esme clutched his arm.

“Be gentle,” Alexander told Sunny, his tone stern.

Sunny nodded, already being as gentle as possible, sweat dripping from her forehead. She dared not hurt Esme. Alexander glanced at Elizabeth, who was tending to her own scratches.

Elizabeth sensed someone watching her and raised her head, but no one was paying her any attention. Instead, she saw Alexander’s concerned look directed at Esme. Her heart tightened. She remembered him carrying her to the ER after she’d been injured by broken glass. His gentleness then paled in comparison to his care for Esme now.

She thought about him leaving her at the hospital last night after their conversation about Esme. It felt ridiculous. Didn't he know she was terrified of thunderstorms?

Alexander’s deep voice broke the silence. “Why did this start?”

Laine, looking up at Alexander with red eyes, said, “They mocked me for giving Mrs. Tudor fake saffron.” She continued, “Alexander, I didn’t mean to…”

“I know,” Alexander replied, believing Esme.

“But Elizabeth,” Esme cried, “Lime turned the fake saffron issue into a media frenzy. She mocked me in the office and hit me.” Hugging Alexander’s waist, she sobbed, “Why does Elizabeth treat me like this? I didn’t mean to give fake saffron. My parents never hit me. Alexander, it really hurts.”

Chapter 234

Alexander shot Elizabeth an angry look.

Elizabeth ignored his glare, focusing on Esme, thinking her a hypocrite. “What did I do to you?” Elizabeth demanded. She thought, Wasn’t I the one who tried to break up the fight and got hurt?

Perhaps her tone was harsh. Esme trembled and snuggled into Alexander’s arms, looking pitiful.

Alexander frowned, gently stroking Esme’s back. “Elizabeth, Esme didn’t mean to send the fake saffron; she was tricked. I know you sent the real one, but there’s no need to be so aggressive.”

“How am I being aggressive?” Elizabeth asked, confused.

“Right now!” he replied coldly. Look at her, he thought, demanding answers and not letting it go—isn’t that aggressive?

Elizabeth was speechless.

“Esme is already hurt because of you. What more do you want?” he questioned, disappointment in his eyes. “Don’t you know Esme is very weak? She can’t even fight.”

Sunny held a bottle of iodine, about to say Esme hadn’t been beaten by Elizabeth, but Esme glared at her to keep quiet.

Elizabeth stared at Alexander, feeling helpless. Weak? Esme could take on both of us, and she’s weak? When it comes to Esme, he loses all reason. She’s always his first choice.

Reflecting on his recent kindness, Elizabeth found it ironic. She thought she’d been perceived as less malicious. Now, it seemed, it was merely charity. Alexander had offered false kindness to Elizabeth, a villain who always challenged his beloved woman!

“I am dissatisfied that I didn’t take the chance to slap her or kick her a few more times!” Elizabeth shouted, her voice choked with anger. What a great opportunity I missed. What a pity!

Alexander’s eyes darkened, his anger rising. I don’t want things to get this bad with Elizabeth. Why does she have to be at odds with Esme? Hurting Esme will only erode the little warmth I have left for her!

“Elizabeth, you have disappointed me greatly.” Alexander’s voice was low, his eyes sullen.

Elizabeth choked back a sob, then laughed. That statement was ridiculously arrogant, she thought.

Alexander saw her smile, feeling provoked. She doesn’t ever think she’s wrong for hitting Esme at all! She’s too arrogant!

“As for the saffron issue, I’ll get to the bottom of it.” Alexander gave her a cold look, then picked up Esme and walked out.

As they passed Elizabeth, Alexander’s shoulder bumped into her, causing her to stagger back. When she looked up, she saw a triumphant look in Esme’s eyes, as if to say, “Elizabeth, you can’t beat me.”

The atmosphere was particularly gloomy.