Chapter 9

Alexander's brows drew together in a deep frown as he strode toward the lake. Anger simmered beneath his voice when he reached out his hand to her. "Eleanor, get out of there!" Eleanor slapped his hand away and continued searching through the cold water until her fingertips brushed against something hard and icy. Her eyes lit up as she clutched it tightly, then finally dragged her drenched body out of the lake. It was only then that Alexander saw what she had risked her life to retrieve—a small gemstone necklace that looked old and unremarkable. A surge of anger welled up inside him. He grabbed her arm and snapped, "You didn't even hesitate to donate something worth millions, but now you're risking your life for this worthless trinket?" Eleanor yanked her arm free, trembling from the cold and from anger. "You don't understand what this means to me, so stop acting like you do! You're the one who ended things between us, so just leave me alone! Stop following me, and stop talking to me!" She stared at him and coldly added, "You're my brother-in-law now." The title hit Alexander like a slap. His eyes narrowed sharply, and just as he was about to speak, Amelia walked over. Her voice carried an innocent lilt, though her expression betrayed a hint of smugness. "Elean, thank you for picking up my necklace for me." She reached out to take the necklace still clenched in Eleanor's trembling hand. Eleanor refused to let go. "It's mine!" Amelia's eyes reddened as she turned to Alexander. "Alexander, it's the necklace my mother gave me…" He looked from Eleanor's defiant face to Amelia's expectant one and frowned. Finally, he reached out and seized Eleanor's wrist. "Let go," he coldly said. Eleanor's eyes burned red as she glared up at him. "No!" Alexander's grip hardened as he forced her fingers apart one by one. A sharp crack echoed in the air, followed by a muffled cry of pain. He had broken her wrist. Agonizing pain shot through her body, draining the color from her face. Cold sweat trickled down her temples as she stared at him in disbelief—the same man who had once held her so gently was now looking down at her with chilling indifference. Taking advantage of the moment, Amelia snatched the necklace from her hand, then shot Eleanor a triumphant glance before looping her arm through Alexander's. "Alexander, let's go inside and grab our coats," she softly said. He gave a curt nod, glancing once more at Eleanor, who had curled up in pain by the lake. His expression flickered with something unreadable before he turned away to leave with Amelia. As they stepped into the clubhouse, the heavy iron chandelier above them suddenly came loose for no apparent reason, plummeting straight toward Amelia's head. Alexander reacted in an instant, shoving her out of the way. Still, the edge of the chandelier clipped the back of her head as it crashed to the floor. "Amelia!" Alexander's expression changed instantly. Panic flashed across his face as he scooped Amelia into his arms and rushed toward the parking lot, driving her straight to the hospital. Eleanor clutched her fractured wrist. The pain was so intense that black spots clouded her vision, and she nearly collapsed. Fortunately, a few kind bystanders rushed to help and took her to the hospital. The doctor examining her injury couldn't help but exclaim, "My goodness, who could be so cruel? How could anyone do this to a young woman?" Eleanor's face was pale, and her lips trembled. The ache in her heart hurt far more than the pain in her wrist. After taking X-rays, the doctor informed her that the fracture was severe and required hospitalization for a few days. With no other choice, Eleanor remained in the hospital. She had only just been settled into her hospital room when Alexander stormed in, carrying an air of icy hostility that chilled the entire space. His expression was terrifyingly dark, and his eyes were filled with a fury that could devour her whole. "Eleanor, I checked the surveillance footage. You bribed the club staff and loosened the chandelier on purpose. You wanted to kill Amelia, didn't you?" Eleanor froze, stunned by the absurd accusation. Her gaze turned icy. "I didn't." "Who else would harbor that kind of hatred toward Amelia? Eleanor, I really underestimated you. You've lost all sense of right and wrong. You're capable of anything," he said. "I told you I didn't do it! You have no right to slander me!" she shot back. "Slander?" Alexander's voice dropped, and he looked at her with eyes colder than frost. "It seems you won't tell the truth until you're taught a lesson." He took out his phone, dialed a number, and said in an icy tone, "Contact the police. Eleanor Hayes, the Hayes family's second daughter, is suspected of attempted assault. Send someone to take her in for a few days. She could use the time to calm down." "Alexander!" Eleanor's voice trembled in horror. She couldn't believe he was actually using his connections to have her locked up. No matter how she pleaded, explained, or cried, he didn't listen. Moments later, several officers entered the ward. Ignoring the doctor's protests and the fact that her wrist was still in a cast, they forcibly dragged Eleanor away.