Chapter 302
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The next morning, in the CEO’s office at Warren Group, Alex had just returned from the conference room when Justin burst in. “Uncle Alex, look what she did to me!”
Justin pointed at the back of his hand, where the veins showed clear signs of being repeatedly jabbed by a large needle. “She said the nurse was new and might miss, so she would do it herself. She ended up stabbing me four times!”
Alex looked at the evident veins on Justin’s hand. “What did you say to her?”
Justin pouted, looking aggrieved. “I just asked if she knew you. She said she didn’t and then went ahead and stabbed me. It hurt like hell!”
Justin puffed out his chest dramatically. “But you know what, Uncle Alex? The fierier she is, the more I like her. I’m going to make her my girlfriend.”
“You’re looking for trouble!” Alex’s threatening tone cut through Justin’s excitement before he could finish his declaration. Separated by the large desk, Justin froze, looking utterly confused. “Why? Are you worried I can’t handle her, Uncle Alex?!”
“Shut up!” Alex snapped.
Justin glanced at Alex, then at Chris and Barry, standing not far away. The two exchanged a quick glance before immediately lowering their heads, pretending not to hear anything.
“I’m your nephew, Uncle Alex. Why are you so mad?” Justin protested, lifting his leg and attempting to climb onto Alex’s desk.
Alex planted both hands firmly on the desk’s edge, leaning forward with an icy glare. His voice was sharp, each word cutting like a blade. “I haven’t even won her over yet. What the hell are you doing trying to stir things up?”
Suddenly, Justin slipped off the desk, landing on the floor with an audible crash. Slowly, he peeked his head expression a mix of fear and regret. “I’m so sorry, Uncle Alex. I’ll go apologize to her right now!”
up,
his
Without waiting for Alex’s response, Justin bolted from the office, leaving as quickly as he could.
Alex took off his jacket and began pacing the office with frustration. Gripping his phone tightly, he typed out a message, stared at it for a few moments, and deleted it. This pattern of hesitation went on for several minutes before he finally texted Ellie.
Unfortunately, a glaring red exclamation mark popped up, signaling that the message hadn’t gone through. Alex’s jaw tightened, and his temple twitched uncontrollably.
Chris, completely baffled, cautiously approached and asked, “Mr. Warren, please calm down. It takes time”
Alex shot him a cold glare. “What do you know about it? You’ve been single your whole life. Got any experience to share?”
Chris was stunned into silence, glancing helplessly at Barry, who acted oblivious, fiddling with the buttons on his shirt- unfastening and refastening them–as if deeply preoccupied.
Alex’s attempts to contact Ellie were all met with failure. She had blocked and deleted him from every platform, cutting off every means of communication. He tried every possible way to get closer to her, but she treated him like nothing.
His frustration grew into desperation, but he held himself back. He was terrified of crossing a line, afraid that if he pushed
08:25 Wed, Feb 12 ⚫
Chapter 302
too hard, she would vanish from his world without a word.
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For the first time, he understood what it meant to feel helpless. The greatest distance between them wasn’t the miles that could have separated them, but the cold detachment Ellie held despite their proximity.
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Time passed, and soon, it was the end of the year. Ellie traveled back to her hometown with Aaron to visit her father’s grave.
The winter landscape was barren and desolate. The fields stretched endlessly, painted in shades of ash and gray, devoid of vibrant colors. Standing before her father’s grave, Ellie felt a wave of sorrow swell in her chest.
She still remembered the last time she saw her father–it was just as winter began. She bought him a leather jacket, and he said, “I’ll wear it when Christmas comes.” It was Christmas Eve, but he would never have the chance to wear it again.
A sob caught in Ellie’s throat as she slowly crouched in front of Harold’s grave.
“Even though Dad is gone, you still have me.” Aaron said, “Whenever you’re tired, you can always lean on my shoulder.” He gently patted Ellie on her shoulder, staying by her side for a long time as they both stared at the grave in silence.
Alex watched them from a distance. He didn’t move until they finally disappeared from his sight. Only then did he shift his stiff body
At Harold’s grave, Alex lit a cigarette, staring blankly at the tombstone. One cigarette burned out, so he lit another. As the evening twilight deepened, he remained there.
On Christmas Eve, Ellie sat at the dinner table with Aaron and her mother, Joanna.
