Sophia Ashcroft remained unconscious.

Two bodyguards in black stood guard at the hospital room door, blocking Isabella Ashcroft and Julian Evans.

William Ashcroft sat by the bed, clutching Sophia's hand. He looked up as Evelyn Ross and Alexander Vance entered, his eyes flickering, but he said nothing.

In just three hours, William seemed to have aged a decade.

His eyes were shadowed with exhaustion.

Streaks of gray were visible at his temples, his entire appearance haggard.

Seeing his devoted expression, Evelyn felt a pang of bitterness.

She already knew William wasn't her biological father.

Sophia had always been a woman of integrity. How could she ever betray her marriage?

When she saw that photo, she had let her emotions overwhelm her, rushing directly to confront Sophia.

Looking back now, it seemed ridiculous.

Alexander moved to her side and took her hand.

He glanced at William, his gaze icy.

He showed no mercy to anyone who had hurt Evelyn.

"Should we clear the room?"

Evelyn's eyes fell on William and Sophia's clasped hands.

In the end, she couldn't bring herself to separate them.

"Let it be."

As long as Sophia saw her first upon waking, and could finish what she needed to say.

Alexander nodded.

Shouts from Julian echoed from the hallway.

Evelyn ignored them, taking a seat on the other side of the bed.

Alexander gave William a measured look.

The man's desolate worry seemed genuine.

Satisfied he posed no threat, Alexander turned and left the room.

Julian was being held by the collar by a black-clad bodyguard, his feet kicking wildly.

"Let me go! I'm a Vance too! You have to listen to me!"

The bodyguard nearly rolled his eyes.

Since when did the Vances employ them?

The man they served answered to no one based on wealth alone.

The bodyguard didn't release his grip until Alexander gave a slight nod.

Julian's face was flushed with anger.

Isabella was equally furious.

Just then, Marcus Valentine's angry voice carried from the doorway. "Alexander Vance, what is the meaning of this?"

Isabella's eyes immediately welled with tears. "Marcus, my uncle and Evelyn have taken over the room. They won't let me in to care for Mother... She's fighting for her life, and they're blocking me from seeing her. It's outrageous!"

Tears began to stream down her face.

Marcus frowned at Alexander. "Don't go too far! Do you really think you can do whatever you want in San Francisco? Those bodyguards of yours—don't think I can't handle them."

The Ashcroft heir naturally had elite security of his own.

Alexander's eyes narrowed. "You want to start a fight here? Aren't you afraid of disturbing Mrs. Ashcroft?"

He had pinpointed Marcus's weakness instantly.

Marcus was speechless.

"Alexander Vance, are you actually using Mrs. Ashcroft to threaten me? Have the guts to face me one-on-one!"

Alexander replied calmly, "You just lost to me six months ago. Eager for another humiliation?"

Marcus was seething.

He never imagined Alexander could be this shameless!

He turned to Isabella with a cold smirk. "Fine, I can't take him. But you can call the police! This is unlawful confinement!"

Isabella's eyes lit up. She immediately reached for her phone.

A sharp pain shot through her wrist the next second as a bodyguard snatched her phone away. "Miss Ashcroft, I'll be holding onto this for now."

Isabella bit her lip, finally understanding that against absolute power, all schemes were useless.

She looked pleadingly at Marcus. "Marcus, please, you have to help us! If Mother wakes up and sees Evelyn, she'll be frightened to death, or die of rage..."

Marcus hesitated, frowning.

If he called in his men for a forced entry, it might startle Sophia.

But doing nothing was intolerable.

His uncle had explicitly tasked him with ensuring Mrs. Ashcroft's comfort and protection.

Just as Marcus was about to give the order, Alexander spoke coldly, "Marcus Valentine, you were this foolish overseas, and you still haven't learned?"

Marcus was incensed. "Either fight or shut up! What's with the insults?"

Alexander met his gaze directly. "Were you present when Mrs. Ashcroft met with Evelyn?"

Marcus paused. "I was."

"Did Mrs. Ashcroft ask Evelyn to leave then? I haven't interacted with Mrs. Ashcroft much, but I know their relationship has always been close."

Alexander's gaze was sharp. "Don't believe everything you hear. Trust what you've seen with your own eyes!"

Marcus was taken aback.

He recalled that evening at the Ashcroft residence. Sophia had been genuinely warm when she saw Evelyn.

"Mrs. Ashcroft doesn't dislike the... love child?"

Alexander said slowly, "From what I know, they share a deep bond."

"How is that possible?" Marcus found it absurd.

What lawful wife would have affection for her husband's love child? It defied all logic!

Alexander gestured toward the room. "No matter how forceful Evelyn might be, she hasn't allowed bodyguards past this door... Don't you understand?"

Marcus stared, stunned.

The argument outside the door was clearly audible inside the room.

The hospital's soundproofing was poor.

Evelyn paid it no mind, her focus entirely on Sophia.

Suddenly, Sophia's eyes moved beneath her lids.

Was she waking up?