Chapter 70
“It’s not like you said!” Ellie cried out, desperately trying to pull Alex’s grip off Aaron.
Even though she was young back then, she remembered everything. It was Carlos who suggested adopting her and supporting her and Aaron’s education. Her parents, unable to repay such kindness, had knelt down in gratitude.
Ellie’s strength was nothing against Alex. He and Aaron were locked in a tug–of–war, neither willing to let go.
“How dare you trample on our dignity like this? What did we do wrong?! Ellie shouted,
ing to pry Alex’s fingers apart.
Alex smirked. “Just because I’m rich, and you owe the Warren family! If you want dignity, pay back what we’ve spent on your schooling all these years. Then maybe I’ll consider giving you some respect!”
As their eyes met, Ellie froze, lips trembling, unable to say another word. Alex always knew exactly how to get under her
skin.
Haley stood beside Alex, noticing how he was fixated on Ellie. Furious, she turned to Aaron. “Aaron, what are you holding onto?
still
“Your family was poor to begin with, and you can’t take a little criticism? If your parents hadn’t done what they did, would Alex even dare say something like that? You can’t even afford to eat properly, and you’re protecting your silly pride? Is that what you want?!”
Seeing Aaron remain silent, Haley’s voice rose in volume. “Aaron, just give up that pathetic pride of yours. In terms of family background, talent, or wealth, how can you compete with Alex? Don’t you have any self–awareness?”
Aaron looked at Haley, his face turning crimson with embarrassment. He held back his anger, refusing to respond. “Haley, maybe you should just back off. You criticize Aaron, but weren’t you the one who chased after him for more than a year?” Layton chimed in, unable to watch the scene any longer. His words silenced Haley instantly.
Haley shot a quick glance at Alex and then noticed he was still staring at Ellie, so she quickly retreated behind him.
She hadn’t told her friends about her chasing after Aaron; there must be something Ellie had said to Layton. The hostility in her gaze toward Ellie
toward Ellie grew clearer.
Alex’s eyes locked onto Aaron’s, a mix of arrogance and provocation. “If you want to owe the Warren family, you better lower your head in front of me!”
Turning his head, he saw Ellie crying and trying to pull at him, demanding he let go of Aaron. In a fit of anger, he exclaimed, “Ellie, you’re just an ungrateful brat!”
Ellie didn’t deny it. Even if she had been raised by the Warren family and had Alex looking out for her, she was still on Aaron’s side. “Whatever you say, just let go of Aaron!”
“Alex, let go for now!” Layton said, gripping Alex’s wrist with one hand and clasping Aaron’s wrist with the other. Seeing Alex wasn’t budging, he turned to Aaron. “Mr. Thompson, you’re a prosecutor. Why waste your energy arguing with him? Everyone’s watching. Just let it go.
Aaron met Alex’s gaze, his expression serious. “He has to take back what he just said!”
He was a man, standing tall. Feeling guilty for not providing a better life for his parents, he couldn’t let anyone insult them like this.
11:01 Tue, Jan 28 O
Chapter 70
Ellie was afraid of another fight between Aaron and Alex. Unable to break Alex’s hold, she pleaded with Aaron. “Aaron, just let go for now.”
“Ellie, step aside!”
“Ellie, you get out of the way!”
The voices clashed, and Ellie was simultaneously pushed away by Aaron and Alex.
Just as she regained her footing and moved toward them, she sported two familiar figures.
“Mom, Dad!” Ellie exclaimed, panic rising in her chest.
At the sound of her voice, both Aaron and Alex released their grips.
Everyone turned to see a simple–looking woman supporting a man who was missing a leg and using a wooden cane. They were holding bags and watching quietly from a distance.
Ellie exchanged glances with Aaron before rushing toward their parents.
“Mom, Dad, what are you doing here?” Aaron reached for the bag in his father’s hand, but his father pushed him away.
Ellie went to grab the bags from her mother, Joanna, but Joanna refused as well.
Ellie had no idea how much her parents had overheard, but judging by their expressions, it was a lot.
Joanna pointed at Haley, who was not far away. “Aaron, that’s the girlfriend you mentioned before–the one you’re supposed to bring home to prepare for marriage, right?”
Aaron glanced at Haley, then quickly looked away, mumbling a sofi “mm–hmm.”
Joanna remarked, “She’s really pretty, but you shouldn’t waste her time.”
Aaron nodded again with another “mm–hmm.”
Joanna’s few words made it clear that Haley shouldn’t be with him. Even though Joanna said, “Don’t waste her time,” what she really meant was that she didn’t like her.
She turned to Alex and said, “You must be the little grandson of Carlos, right?”
Ө
