Chapter 292
Alice felt a surge of satisfaction seeing Ethan’s expression. Her guess had been right. He hadn’t answered the phone to avoid responsibility for the amputation. Even though Lawrence had exposed him, Ethan wouldn’t admit it.
If she was supposed to back down and let Chloe go, Ethan should pay a price.
Ethan swallowed his anger.“Alice, that was years ago. Do we need to keep bringing it up? I can compensate you.”
“I don’t need compensation,” Alice said softly.“Mr. Land, you said family comes first, and sacrificing for family is okay. This time, it’s your turn to sacrifice.”
She’d been the one sacrificing before; now she wanted to see if he’d live up to his words.
Ethan gripped the seat.“Haven’t I sacrificed enough for the Land family?” “That was your duty. Besides, Chloe’s father helped the Land family. What’s a little sacrifice? You said we should show gratitude.”
Ethan almost spat blood. He’d said those words, but he hadn’t intended to be bound by them.
Alice smirked.“That’s my condition. Give me an answer before the police investigation.”
She left. Ethan raged but could only watch her go.
He fumed, “I don’t understand. Is Alice really my sister? Why does she constantly make things difficult for me?”
His secretary, Davis, said, “Boss, Ms. Alice didn’t cause the trouble, but she’s the one who has to compromise. Anyone would be upset.” Davis was assigned by Nathan to keep an eye on Ethan.
Ethan was silent.
Davis continued, “Boss, since Ms. Alice is your real sister, your treatment of Chloe seems…odd.”
“You don’t understand,” Ethan said, his head aching as he thought about Chloe’s identity. So much time had passed. Now Lewis liked Chloe, making things even harder.
Alice went to the gym. She went to the boxing room and punched the heavy bag. If it weren’t for exposing the person behind Chloe, she’d have cut ties with the Lands.
Alice felt frustrated, remembering her past life. She hadn’t expected Lewis to like Chloe. Did Ethan like her too?
“Don’t you want your
hands anymore?” A cold voice interrupted. Someone had stopped the bag.
Alice, breathless, looked up. Seeing Jack, her eyes lit up.“You’re back?” She hadn’t told him about the Land family drama. His presence made her happy.
Alice hugged him, wiping her sweat on his white shirt.
Jack noticed, but didn’t mind. He hugged her back; neither spoke, enjoying the quiet.
Alice breathed in his scent, feeling calm. She closed her eyes; her frustration eased. She truly loved this man.
Jack felt relieved; he’d been worried about Alice. He’d learned about the Land family drama from Mandy and rushed back. Alice hadn’t told him anything. He understood her stubbornness but félt sorry she was struggling so much.
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Chapter 292
Jack sighed.“Why are you upset?”
“Because of the Land family” Alice dung to him,
Jack, seeing her distress, didn’t press further.
After a while, Alice calmed down and let go, looking at him sheepishly. She pinched his cheek, he was still handsome. Just looking at him improved her mood,
Jack held her hand, removing her gloves and rubbing her wrists. “Don’t hit the bay, so hard, your wrists will hurt.”
“How do you know?”
“I watched you for a while.” After landing, Jack had called Alice but got no answer. He learned she was at the gym. He saw her hitting the bag and knew she was troubled. He waited until she’d finished before approaching,
Alice rested on the floor as Jack used a massage gun to relax her muscles. She enjoyed it.
After an hour, Jack put down the gun.“Hungry?”
“A little.”
“What do you want to eat? If you don’t have preferences, let’s go to Pear Garden!
Alice nodded. She suddenly remembered something “I didn’t tell you, we have a new roommate.”
“Yes, you said she had mobility issues.” Jack looked at Alice. “Someone from the Chen family?”
“You’re clever. It’s the Chen family heiress, my brother’s fiancée.” Alice hadn’t thought much of it; many people are named Chen. But it was a coincidence.
Jack became alert.“What are the Chens planning?”
“I don’t know, but Mandy said they arranged this to make me connect with them. But my relationship with the Lands soured too quickly.” Jack agreed with Mandy’s assessment.
Alice said, “I’ll be careful and avoid contact with our new roommate.” She didn’t want to be backstabbed again.
Jack handed her water.“But that’s not what’s bothering you.”
“The foundation.” Alice told Jack everything that happened at the foundation. He knew from Mandy, but not about last night’s events.
He was surprised.“Your fifth brother likes Chloe? He lost his mind, not just his leg.” Who would want someone like Chloe?
Alice drank some water.“I don’t know, but I have a guess. Lewis’s personality changed after his injury. Chloe is good at flattering people, making her seem unique to Lewis.”
Jack was dismissive.“Chloe wanted to marry Garrett. Why would she marry your fifth brother?”
“Chloe always has many suitors, but she only pursued Garrett relentlessly. Dealing with a simp like Lewis is easy.” Chloe’s goal was clear: marry into wealth.
Alice said, “If I weren’t investigating the person behind Chloe, I wouldn’t have compromised.*
“Did you find a clue?”
Alice nodded. She saw Mandy and her team hesitating in the hallway. She blushed and stood.“I have a meeting with Ms. Mandy.”
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Mandy approached with a laptop.“Ms. Alice, we found the man’s information. He’s from the same hometown as Chloe’s father; they’re related.”
Alice straightened.“Continue.”
Chapter 293
