Chapter 349
My brother is Layton, and he’s been best buddies with Alex for ages.”
Nalani let out an ambiguous scoff that hinted at her thoughts: Birds of a feather flock together… Not a single decent person in that bunch!
Lacey and Diana exchanged another glance. “Nalani, do you know my brother?”
Nalani took a small sip from her wine glass. “Of course… I don’t know him!”
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After dinner, Ellie and Nalani returned to the Thompson residence around eight o’clock.
Ellie frowned at the familiar license plate of the luxury car parked out front. She entered the main hall quietly, and as expected, the Warren family was all there.
Ellie exchanged a glance with Nalani.
“Ellie, I prepared some snacks for you in the kitchen, and I saved some of your favorite treats,” Nancy said, getting up and taking Ellie’s hand, her eyes filled with concern and guilt.
Ellie calmly chatted a bit with Nancy and politely greeted Nathan
She wanted nothing more than to steer clear of Alex and everything associated with him.
Yet, that night, Jason had told her that although her father’s death was indirectly caused by Alex, the reason he was able to come back unscathed was that Nathan had exchanged his own life for it.
Jason said that every encounter, every bond, every tangle in life was preordained, destined to happen!
He also said that life is both long and short, and she should let things take their course, reminding her that everyone would bear their consequences in time.
After thinking it over for many days, she had begun to understand. The highest state of letting go is having a heart like still water, finding peace within oneself and not looking back, accepting reality, and releasing oneself.
“Ellie, go cut some fruit in the kitchen,” Whitney said when she noticed Alex’s unwavering gaze on Ellie, subtly signaling her to leave.
Ellie turned and headed for the kitchen. They hadn’t moved in long, and the Thompson residence didn’t have any servants yet. Daily chores like cleaning and cooking were done together. As the youngest member of the family, it was her responsibility to help when guests were over.
“Aaron, go get the kettle,” Whitney said as she poured water, placing the kettle on the table in front of Aaron.
“I got it!” Aaron reached for the kettle just as Alex stood up first.
They both grabbed one side of the small kettle’s handle.
“Alex, you’re a guest; it’s better if I handle this,” Aaron said, still holding on.
Alex didn’t let go either. “No need to be polite, we’re all family here,” he said casually.
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Chapter 349
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The two men held each other’s gaze for a moment, then each locked away. In the living room, the remaining few seemed to wear different expressions.
The atmosphere grew somewhat awkward, and Nancy quickly chimed in, “Aaron, you don’t need to be polite, just let him
- go.
Aaron hesitated but finally released the kettle.
In the kitchen, Ellie was busy slicing up fruit. When she noticed Alex come in, she continued her work, ignoring him. He stood next to her with the teapot, keeping a distance of two or three steps, not advancing any closer.
He held the teapot, silent and rooted in place, watching Ellie. She pretended not to see him, focusing on her task.
Silence lingered in the kitchen, punctuated only by the sound of Ellie’s knife slicing through the fruit.
“The water bar is outside,” Ellie said, finally finished, as she carried the fruit platter out of the kitchen.
As they brushed past each other, Alex instinctively raised his hand, wanting to grab hold of Ellie. Their fingertips lightly touched, sending a jolt through his heart. But by the time he hesitated, Ellie had already exited the kitchen.
His back straightened, his gaze fixated on Ellie’s retreating figure, his hand still suspended in midair, unable to reach her.
AD
