Chapter 191
Who else but his older brother could pull off something so freaking unbelievable? But then again, his brother probably wouldn’t even “ask” for something like that. He was his brother’s smart, adorable, and sensible little brother, after all!
John Wilson stared at his computer screen, convinced his sister–in–law’s question held a deeper meaning. But he couldn’t figure it out. What if he answered wrong and left a bad impression? He was his brother’s hardworking, brave, and brilliant younger brother he absolutely couldn’t screw this up!
–
“Captain, are you online dating? You’re grinning like a Cheshire cat. Who are you chatting with?” one of his teammates asked.
“Get outta here! What online dating? I’m talking to Lemon Sister, but she asked me a weird question.”
“What question?”
John Wilson recounted Alice’s question. His teammate’s jaw dropped.“Whoa, she’s trying to set you up!”
“Don’t talk nonsense! She’d never try to set me up!”
“Captain, think about it. Didn’t Lemon Sister openly declare war on us at the competition, saying we’d be rivals next year? She’s fishing for info on what could make you quit the competition. The intentions are pretty clear, aren’t they?”
John Wilson pondered this.“You make a good point.” Damn his thick sister–in–law filter; he almost fell for it! What if his sister–in–law later threw a tantrum to his brother, whispering swee nothings in his ear, and then his brother made him quit the competition? His brother was totally capable of that!
No
way, he couldn’t dig his own grave! His head could roll, blood could spill, but the competition couldn’t be lost!
John Wilson stared at Alice’s message, hesitating.
“Who is it?” the message read.
“Are you still online?”
Alice waited, growing anxious. Was there really someone like that? She “needed” to know! Then John Wilson went offline.
He patted his chest, a wave of fear washing over him. He’d almost been tricked! No way, he couldn’t reveal his weaknesses! Not even to his sister–in–law!
A second later, his phone buzzed. It was Alice:“Did something come up?” A headache pounded in John Wilson’s temples. He had to figure out an answer, a way to deflect. He absolutely couldn’t let his sister–in–law connect it to his brother!
Alice waited, her phone clutched in her hand. No reply from John Wilson. Maybe he had an emergency. But after seeing his last message, her heart inexplicably quickened. There really “was” someone… who?
The thought both terrified and disappointed her.
Alice wrote out a detailed training program for the rookies and gave it to her senior teammate.
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Chapter 191
Leaving the training facility, she headed straight to the gym.
Menu
Her mind was a whirlwind. She needed to burn off some steam, to distract herself, or she’d lose it and go find John Wilson. To demand answers. But her reason held her back. What if John Wilson wasn’t the one? What if it was just a name coincidence? At the gym, the owner was surprised.“You didn’t book a session in advance?”
“No, I decided last minute. Is the coach not here?”
“No, he’s not. Let me call him.” The coach was Alice’s personal trainer, only showing up if she booked in advance. Even the equipment was top–of–the–line, more expensive than the gym itself. The owner was practically just a glorified employee now.
Alice changed and went to the boxing area. She put on her gloves and started hitting the heavy bag. Memories of her past life flooded back – being kicked out of her family, the Alice family silencing everything. Every job she tried to get, she was fired. She tried the black Danielet, but her name was infamous, nobody would hire her. She’d fainted from hunger on the streets. Then “he” had given her money, a bank card, and told her to leave. But back then, she’d hated Chloe, blaming her for taking everything. She’d used that money to try and kidnap and kill Chloe. She’d failed and was locked up in a psych ward, eventually tortured to death by a caretaker Chloe had hired.
How stupid she’d been. She should have left.
“You’re going to hurt yourself,” a voice said.
Alice spun around, throwing a punch, but it was blocked by Jack. She was breathless, drenched in
sweat.
“What are you doing here?” she gasped.
Jack handed her a water bottle.“Can’t I work out at this gym?”
“Why this particular gym?”
Alice took a sip, wiping the sweat from her forehead.
Jack noticed her blinking and used the towel to wipe her sweat.“Don’t move.” Alice stood still, noticing their shadows overlapping. Jack stopped, draping the towel on her head.“You look like an old lady!”
Alice snatched it off.“You look like an old lady!”
“Why the bad mood?” Jack saw her distress, her solitary punching of the bag. His her face.“Because of that creep harassing you yesterday?” The lesson from yesterday clearly wasn’t enough.
gaze
locked on
Alice shook her head.“Nah, that pathetic loser’s garbage doesn’t even register.” She didn’t care about strangers‘ attacks.
NO4
“Tell me what’s wrong.”
Alice couldn’t bring herself to explain her past life. No one would believe her, especially since it involved John Wilson.
She shook her head.“Just a lot on my plate lately. Stressed out.”
He press.
stood.“I’ll
11
spar with you.’
Jack, seeing her reluctance, didn’t
“But you’re injured.” Alice looked at his arm, but he was, wearing a long–sleeved shirt.
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Jack smirked “Want to see?”
He started unbuttoning his shirt, revealing his collarbone.
Alice stopped him.“What are you doing? Who said you could take your shirt off?”
“How else are you going to see?”
Alice’s face flushed. She snatched his hand away.“You could just change into a short sleeve!”
It was late summer, still quite warm. He’d have to wear a short sleeve to work out anyway. Jack stood up.“Just kidding You’d have to pay to see me take my shirt off.”
“How much are you worth?”
His gaze darkened.“If it’s you, it’s free. Want to see?”
Alice blushed, looking away. “Who wants to see?” She had to admit, she couldn’t win a joke–off against him.
Seeing her able to joke again, Jack relaxed. He turned to change. In the locker room, his phone rang – it was John Wilson, rambling on and on.
Jack frowned.“Spit it out, or I’m hanging up.”
“Bro, don’t hang up! Did Alice mention anything to you?”
Jack considered it.“She did.”
“Bro! I’m your little brother! Don’t promise Alice anything! Don’t make me look bad!” He couldn’t quit the competition.
Jack narrowed his eyes.“What did she say to you?”
John Wilson immediately realized he’d been tricked. ‘Bro, you were setting me up!” Jack’s tone hardened.“Tell me.” It definitely had something to do with Alice’s bad mood!
Chapter 192
