Chapter 34
It seemed she’d assumed Jack liked her. Alice held the phone, reminiscing about her online crush from her past life. To be precise, it was an unrequited love since she never confessed, and he never said he liked her either. But his presence was like a flickering flame in her dim and tragic life, always warming her. That feeling was similar to Jack’s existence. Yet, she was never sure if Jack was really that person from her past.
Jack’s fingers mov
cross the street.”
slightly.“Helping someone in need requires no reason. I also help old ladies
Alice smiled, but felt a pang of disappointment. She said lightly, “After the college exams, I’ll leave the Welch family.”
“Welcome to live next door!”
After hanging up, Alice felt good as she took a shower and practiced a set of past exam questions before bed. The final mock exam was approaching, and she was eager to see how much she had improved and if she had a chance to get into Harvard University.
As long as she could rank in the top ten, there should be hope.
The next day, Alice went to school as usual. She saw Chloe bringing a bowl of porridge to Noah.“Noah, I heard you had a stomachache. This porridge will help.” She even deliberately showed off her burn on her hand.
Seeing this, Noah’s heart softened, “You’re hurt. Don’t do this. Just let the servants handle it.” “Noah, you’ve done so much for us, this is the least I can do,” Chloe said sweetly. Noah was relieved and looked at Alice; she should know he was ill.
Alice saw the porridge and sneered. It had finally arrived.
Alice had no appetite and simply stood up to leave without asking a single question. Noah felt a pang
of disappointment. Was she really not going to ask anything? Did she completely not care about her second brother anymore?
Chloe said
smoothly, “Noah, Alice’s
worried about
you;
she’s just sulking.” “I hope so.” He hoped she was sulking; he didn’t think she’d truly cut ties with the family over such trivial matters.. Without Alice’s concern, he felt uneasy.
Chloe, achieving her goal, left for school. The housekeeper muttered, “Young master, Miss Welch didn’t even ask, that’s just too much!”
Noah’s face brightened seeing the porridge. Chloe was so thoughtful. He took a sip of the porridge, but instead of easing his stomach pain, it intensified. He frowned, remembering Alice’s medicinal porridge, which always alleviated his discomfort.
He instinctively said, “Have the kitchen prepare a portion of the medicinal porridge Alice used to
make.”
The housekeeper hesitated.“Miss Welch makes it herself.”
“It’s just porridge!” He was uncomfortable and impatient.
A maid explained, “Sir, Miss Welch prepares the rice a day in advance. She wakes up early to prepare fresh ingredients. The cooking process and timing are crucial; even a slight mistake ruins it. It’s a recipe she got from an old doctor. None of us learned it, so Miss Welch has been the one preparing the medicinal porridge for years!”
After hearing this, Noah felt even worse for some reason. He covered his face with his hand, realizing how much Alice had sacrificed. He had no idea before; he thought making medicinal porridge was simple. He regretted neglecting her. She hadn’t been sulking; she’d been hurt. He told the housekeeper, “Get the gifts Alice gave Chloe.”
The housekeeper was surprised. “Aren’t those gifts from the young lady to Miss Black? If you take. them back, wouldn’t that be unfair to her? She already feels insecure living in the Welch family; if you do this, how can she stand her ground here? You can’t just soften your heart over a bowl of medicinal porridge; Miss Black made. you porridge
porridge and
even got hurt!” Noah pondered for a moment, recalling the sight of Chloe getting hurt earlier, and his heart. softened a bit. “Forget it. Just get my gift back.”
At the very least, he needed to make a change first.
That evening, when Alice returned home, she ate dinner and locked herself in her room without coming out. Not long after, someone knocked on the door, and she heard Noah’s voice:“Alice, it’s
me.”
Alice walked over and opened the door, her expression neutral: What’s up?” “This is for you.”
Alice saw a box containing an emerald necklace that looked very familiar. Wasn’t this the apology gift she had given to Chloe? What did her second brother mean by this? Noah spoke with a hint of guilt: “Alice, I’m sorry. I know I made you suffer in the past. I brought the necklace back. I’ll buy another one for Chloe as compensation, but this one is different; you shouldn’t have to give it away.”
He regretted his actions all day, realizing he shouldn’t have done that at the banquet. He hadn’t thought it through.
Alice felt a bit dazed. She never expected her second brother would actually ‘return‘ this necklace! How strange! In her past life, she
she never got these back before she died. She said calmly, “No need. You can’t just take back something that’s been given away. “Alice, just accept it. Otherwise, I won’t feel right inside. Consider it my compensation to you, okay?”
What kind of compensation
compensation was this? A slap followed by a sweet treat? Alice saw Chloe hiding in the corner. She said loudly, “Noah, I have to criticize you. I willingly
the gift to Chloe. How can you
gave
Right, Chloe?”
Noah, seeing Chlou take it back without reason? Aren’t you hurting her feelings?
felt uneasy. After all, he hadn’t asked her about it.
Chloe stepped forward, her
forward, her tone sincere.“Alice, the gifts were temporarily with me. I’m glad they’re back. I don’t deserve such an expensive gift anyway; I’ve always been aware of my own worth.”
Chloe’s tone was particularly sincere. But after she spoke, she quickly turned and walked away, even wiping her tears, looking upset.
Noah panicked.“Chloe?”
Alice leaned against the door. “Noah, go comfort her.”
Noah said, “Alice, I was sincerely apologizing to you just now, but why did you have to say
say those
< Chapter 34
things to hurt Chloe? I may be biased and made you feel wronged, but Chloe hasn’t done. anything wrong! Her father saved your life; don’t forget that!”
Alice smiled coldly. Nothing had really changed. She’d almost been swayed just now.
