Chapter 241
Jack knew who was calling without looking at his phone. They spoke simultaneously.
“You take it,” Alice said.
Jack took the call and moved away. Alice returned to her room, opening her laptop. She quickly attempted to access Chloe’s phone but found the implanted malware was gone.
What happened? Had Chloe discovered it?
When she tried to re–implant the malware, she encountered a firewall attack. Chloe’s phone had anti–hacking software. Alice withdrew; she’d alerted Chloe. How had Chloe discovered it so quickly? This was a problem; Chloe would be far more cautious.
Looking at her laptop, Alice suspected Chloe’s father was far more than he seemed. She increasingly suspected the car accident had a hidden truth.
Meanwhile, Jack went downstairs and found Mrs. Yates still there. Mrs. Yates’s tone was strained. “I came to see that girl. You’ve been doing a lot for her.” She’d thought Jack was just having a fling, but he was serious.
“Did you say anything to her?”
Mrs. Yates was surprised. “Say anything? I didn’t even see…” She remembered the girl calling Jack’s name.“It was her?”
Jack nodded. “Yes. You didn’t even know who she was, and you went upstairs arm–in–arm with her?”
“I didn’t want your people to see me, so I asked a patient to take me to the ward. I never expected it to be her,” Mrs. Yates said, adding that she actually liked the girl.
She was agitated. Your taste is good, but she’s not suitable for you.”
“If you think she’s good, what’s unsuitable?”
“Her background is too ordinary. You’re the Yates heir; your wife must be from a suitable family. It’ll be scandalous otherwise.” Mrs. Yates, as Jack’s stepmother, couldn’t let him marry someone. ordinary; it would invite gossip and accusations of mistreatment.
Jack sighed. “Mom, she’s amazing. I’m pursuing her. She doesn’t know who I am.”
Mrs. Yates was frustrated. “I don’t approve. You haven’t told her your identity, which means you. have reservations, right?”
“That’s not my concern,” Jack said firmly, unwilling to reveal Alice’s identity to his stepmother.“Once our relationship is stable, I’ll bring her home to meet Grandma.”
“What about the Garcia family?” Mrs. Yates was worried. Everyone knew about the proposed marriage between the Mo and Huo families. Jack opposed it, but she assumed he’d eventually agree, as these things usually went. But he had a girlfriend!
“Maybe Daniel can marry the Mo heiress,” she suggested.
“She’s much older than Daniel.”
“A woman three years older brings wealth. Someone needs to keep Daniel in line.”
Daniel’s shocked voice cut in.“Brother, are you my brother? Why would you do this to me?”
Daniel stormed over, looking like a jilted lover.
Chapter 241
Chapter 241
Jack knew who was calling without looking at his phone. They spoke simultaneously. “You take it,” Alice said.
Jack took the call and moved away. Alice returned to her room, opening her laptop. She quickly. attempted to access Chloe’s phone but found the implanted malware was gone. What happened? Had Chloe discovered it?
When she tried to re–implant the malware, she encountered a firewall attack. Chloe’s phone had anti–hacking software. Alice withdrew; she’d alerted Chloe. How had Chloe discovered it so quickly? This was a problem; Chloe would be far more cautious.
Looking at her laptop, Alice suspected Chloe’s father was far more than he seemed. She increasingly suspected the car accident had a hidden truth.
Meanwhile, Jack went downstairs and found Mrs. Yates still there. Mrs. Yates’s tone was strained.“I came to see that girl. You’ve been doing a lot for her.” She’d thought Jack was just having a fling, but he was serious.
“Did you say anything to her?”
Mrs. Yates was surprised.“Say anything? I didn’t even see…” She remembered the girl calling Jack’s name.“It was her?”
Jack nodded. “Yes. You didn’t even know who she was, and you went upstairs arm–in–arm with her?”
“I didn’t want your people to see me, so I asked a patient to take me to the ward. I never expected it to be her,” Mrs. Yates said, adding that she actually liked the girl.
She was agitated. “Your taste is good, but she’s not suitable for you.”
“If
you think she’s good, what’s unsuitable?”
“Her background is too ordinary. You’re the Yates heir; your wife must be from a suitable family.” It’ll be scandalous otherwise.” Mrs. Yates, as Jack’s stepmother, couldn’t let him marry someone ordinary; it would invite gossip and accusations of mistreatment.
Jack sighed.“Mom, she’s amazing. I’m pursuing her. She doesn’t know who I am.” Mrs. Yates was frustrated. “I don’t approve. You haven’t told her your identity, which means you have reservations, right?”
“That’s not my concern, Jack said firmly, unwilling to reveal Alice’s identity to his stepmother.“Once our relationship is stable, I’ll bring her home to meet Grandma.”
“What about the Garcia family?” Mrs. Yates was worried. Everyone knew about the proposed marriage between the Mo and Huo families. Jack opposed it, but she assumed he’d eventually agree, as these things usually went. But he had a girlfriend!
“Maybe Daniel can marry the Mo heiress,” she suggested.
“She’s much older than Daniel.”
“A woman three years older brings wealth. Someone needs to keep Daniel in line.” Daniel’s shocked voice cut in.“Brother, are you my brother? Why would you do this to me?” Daniel stormed over, looking like a jilted lover.
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“She’s fine. You’re needed elsewhere” Jack wear his stepmother leave, the Garcia family would likely find an. He needed to bundle the rumors before Alice’s discharge, Daniel was the perfect pawn
Dantel felt chill Brother, just tell me what you want. Don’t stare at me like that.” Jack gave his instructions and returned to Alice’s room, finding her in low spirits. “What’s wrong? Who called?”
Alice hesitated, unsure whether to tell Jack.
A doctor emered for a routine check–up. Ms. Alice, you can be discharged today.” “Thank you, Doctor,” Alice was ready, but Jack had refused.
Seeing her relieved expression, Jack realized she’d been cooped up.
After discharge, Alice wanted to return to her dorm. She’d missed classes and was worried about the gaming team.
Jack took her to school. At the gate, he held her hand. Don’t go to the gym for now. Once you’re fully recovered, we’ll train together.”
“What about my gym membership?
Jack tapped her forehead. “If anyone bothers you about the live stream, contact me.”
Alice smiled.“TH RO then.”
Jack watched her go, feeling a pang of reluctance.
Alice’s injuries were still visible. Her dormmates noticed them; she’d deliberately worn a short–sleeved top.
Alice was thrilled to see her.”Why didn’t you tell me you were coming back? Seeing the bruises, she said, “Does it still hurt?”
“A little when I touch it, but it’s fine.”
Alice noticed someone had moved into the empty bed; a seemingly wealthy girl, using designer goods. Alice said, “She just enrolled. She seems rich.”
Alice didn’t dwell on it, resting after showering.
The next day, Alice wore a short–sleeved top and shorts; it was summer. Her bruises were
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Chapter 241
prominent.
Seeing Chloe in long sleeves and pants, concealing her injuries, Chloe ran to Alice, crying. “Alice, it’s my fault. I caused the misunderstanding between you and Four. Blame me.” Alice’s expression was cold.“Blame you for what? Let everyone hear.”
Chloe’s eyes flickered; she knelt.
This chapter further develops the relationships between the characters, introduces conflicts, and sets the stage for the next confrontation while keeping the strong Americanized context and informal dialogue.
