Chapter 353
“You’re only ever the other man,” he retorted.
Layton seemed unfazed, “Go ahead and insult me. You’re not any better.”
Alex glanced toward the door, spotting Barry. “Close the door and keep everyone away!”
34%
An hour later, Alex walked out of the Earl Hotel’s revolving glass doors and bumped into Ellie, who was looking for Mark.
They paused, and Alex stopped in his tracks.
Ellie didn’t expect to run into him this afternoon. After a slight hesitation, she walked around him and headed to the side glass door.
Seeing Alex lose himself in thought again, Barry approached cautiously. “Mr. Alex, you have a meeting this afternoon.” Not far away, Ellie recognized Alex’s luxury car. She quickly averted her gaze, pretending not to see him.
Since she moved to her small apartment, she had enjoyed a lot more peace. Every day, she went to and from work and hung out with her two good friends. She spent even more time connecting with Mark or Leonard, preparing for her graduate school entrance exam.
She realized she was starting to love being alone.
Mark left early for another engagement, so Ellie headed back to the hospital with Leonard.
Leonard opened the passenger door for her. “I’m really happy for you. With such an impressive uncle, your journey ahead will be a lot smoother.”
He awkwardly added, “About the things in the past, I kind of overstepped.”
Ellie fastened her seatbelt and turned to Leonard, “No matter who my uncle is, I’m still me.”
Being around Leonard made her feel relaxed. “Leonard, I did have my doubts before, but now that I have my uncle, I feel more confident.”
She continued, “But whether I was the old me or the new me, in my eyes, you’ve always been great. We can be really good friends.”
Leonard hesitated, his gaze faltering with a hint of insecurity. Loving someone truly makes it hard to be just friends. Ellie’s ease in being friends with him stemmed from the fact that she hadn’t fallen for him.
+5
Two days later, at 3 PM, Alex sat across from Nalani at the long conference table, a file sitting in front of each of them.
Alex said, “My grandfather’s condition is stable for now. Although we have voluntarily agreed to a two–year marriage contract, and considering Layton’s feelings, I’ll pay you 600 thousand dollars a month for living expenses. After two years, I’ll give you a generous divorce settlement.”
He continued, “During these two years, as long as we don’t harm either family’s interests or reputations, our private lives won’t interfere with each other. If you have any other demands, now’s the time to bring them up.”
Nalani glanced at the contract before turning her attention back to Alex. “Mr. Warren, don’t make it sound so nice. On the
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Chapter 353
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surface, it looks like you’re being filial and following family arrangements to marry, but really, you’re just using this marriage to make yourself let go. However, you’re afraid of losing your connection with Ellie, which is why you chose me, right?”
“Nalani, you don’t need to know my real intentions. This marriage is a mutually beneficial arrangement,” Alex said, his expression unreadable as he locked eyes with her. “You deliberately agreed to this union with the Warren family just to provoke Layton. Am I wrong?”
Nalani nodded seriously. “You’re right. That dog of a man has a temper even worse than mine. If I don’t teach him a lesson, how are we supposed to get through life together?”
She continued, “Mr. Warren, to me, a second marriage, a third, even a fourth or fifth doesn’t matter. But you? Aren’t you afraid you’ll lose your chance entirely?”
“Once you’ve made up your mind, just sign,” Alex said, lowering his head to hide all his emotions. Whether he got married or to whom–the fact was, Ellie couldn’t care less! He felt he’d already lost his chance with her!
Quickly signing his name on the contract, Alex stood up and walked out.
