New beginning: Billionaire love story novel Chapter 299

He stepped right in front of Claire and stood there like a human shield.

She thought it was Matthew since she heard him shouting but she was wrong.

Claire’s eyes went from wide to saucer-sized. “What the heck are you doing?” she managed to frown at Alexander as he staggered, his face draining of color. He leaned on Claire, his voice barely more than a whisper. “Protecting you…” he gasped, and then he slumped against her. Claire’s heart dropped as she felt something warm and sticky spreading across her hand—blood. Alexander’s blood.

Lisa’s face twisted into a mask of horror and panic. “Oh my God, no, no, no!” She stumbled backward, her feet catching on the uneven ground. She tripped and landed on her backside; her eyes locked on the scene in shock. She couldn’t believe what she’d done.

Claire quickly assessed the situation. Her eyes locked onto the knife—its blade embedded in Alexander’s back. The realization hit her like a ton of bricks. “Oh my God, oh my God,” she muttered, more to herself than anyone. “Matthew!” She shouted to her friend, who was standing there, looking just as shell-shocked. “Help Alexander into the car. He’s hurt!”

Matthew nodded, quickly moving to help. “What about Lisa?” he asked, his voice steady despite the chaos.

Claire took a quick glance back at Lisa, still sitting in a daze with her hands clamped over her mouth. “Get her somewhere. Make sure she doesn’t run.”

Matthew carefully laid Alexander on his stomach in the backseat of the car, while Claire jumped into the driver’s seat. She started the engine, her knuckles white on the wheel. “Hang on, Alexander,” she said, glancing at him through the rearview mirror. “We’re going to the hospital. Just keep breathing.”

Claire’s eyes kept darting between the road and the mirror. “Can you hear me?” she asked Alexander, her voice trying to stay calm even though her nerves were shot. “We’re almost there. Just stay with me, okay? We’ll be there soon.”

Alexander’s breaths were shallow, and Claire was scared to pull the knife out herself. What if it made things worse? So, she drove like a maniac, dodging cars and honking at anyone who dared to get in her way. “Move it, move it, move it!” she shouted, her voice rising with every second that ticked away.

Finally, Claire screeched into the hospital parking lot. She threw the car into the park and bolted out of the car. “Help! Someone help!” she yelled as she dashed into the ER. A nurse at the desk looked up, alarmed, and quickly began alerting the staff.

Claire rushed back to the car, yanking open the back door. “Please, please, hurry!” she pleaded as the male nurse carefully lifted Alexander onto a stretcher. The other nurses sprang into action, pushing the stretcher toward the ER.

“Wait!” Claire called out, trying to keep up. “Can I come in?”

One of the nurses shook her head. “Sorry, you have to wait out here. We need to get him into surgery right away.”

“Okay.”

The door to the ER slammed shut behind them. Claire stood there, frozen for a moment before her panic kicked in again. She remembered she didn’t have her phone with her. “Oh, great. Just great!” She muttered, heading back to the car.

Frantically searching for the front seat, she spotted her purse and grabbed it. She fumbled with her phone, dialing Matthew’s number. When he answered, his voice was steady but worried. “Claire? How’s Alexander?”

“I don’t know yet,” Claire said. “I heard them say he needs surgery,”

Matthew’s voice softened. “Don’t worry. We’ll get through this. I’ve got Lisa secure. She’s not going anywhere. Did you call Alexander’s parents?”

Claire bit her lip. “No, not yet. I was about to.”

“I'll be right there soon,” Matthew said before hanging up.

Claire scrolled through her contacts and pressed Joan's number. The chilly night air graze her skin. Her wet dress just makes it more chilly for Claire.

Joan answered on the third ring. Her soft voice greeted Claire. For some reason, Claire worries to see their reaction.

“Claire, dear. To what do I owe you this midnight call?”

Claire cleared her throat. “Hello, Mrs. Harris. I apologize for bothering you last night, but I need to tell you something.”

“What is it, Claire?” her tone was curious and suddenly Claire felt nervous.

“Alexander...is at the hospital.”

Joan sprung up from her seat, her eyes widening. “What? What do you mean my son is at the hospital? What happened to him?”