Chapter 111 Alice intently watched Lukeâs expression shift from hopeful anticipation to hesitant uncertainty after she laid out her condition. A cold smile played on her lips; this was expected. This level of sincerity didnât warrant her staying.
Luke remained speechless, grappling with the impossible choice.
Luke stepped forward.âAlice, thatâs too harsh. We owe you, but itâs not Chloeâs fault.â
Aliceâs smile widened; this was precisely her intentionâto expose their hypocrisy.
Chloe, gritting her teeth, said, âBrother Two, Brother Six, I can leave. Itâs fine. Growing up in the Wind family has been enough for me. If Alice returns, Iâll move out.â Ethan immediately objected.âNo! What would people think of the Windhams? Your father saved. Aliceâs life, even dying in that car accident trying to save my parents. We canât abandon you!â Taking Chloe in was a repayment of that debt.
Chloe lowered her eyes, feeling a strange unease. Sheâd always believed her father was dead, but recently sheâd contacted a man who, though unseen, sounded remarkably like him! If her father wasnât dead, who died in the accident? Why had he disappeared for so long? What secrets were hidden in that crash? Sheâd questioned the mysterious man, but heâd only asked for money!
She dared not reveal these suspicions, fearing the loss of her privileged life. This secret suffocated her. Ethanâs mention of her father fueled her anxiety.
Alice said quietly, âIf thatâs the case, thereâs nothing more to say.â
Ethanâs voice was stern.âAlice, if you insist of support.â
Ing.
, donât come back. Youâll lose all financial Fine. But I also have something to say.â Alice pulled a document from her bag. This is a everance agreement. Iâve already signed it.â Sheâd almost forgotten to bring it. The events had overshadowed it; only Ethanâs mention of severing ties reminded her. The document lay before them. Luke, closest, saw it first. The words âSeverance Agreementâ
His voice pierced his heart.
was hoarse.âAlice, be âBrother Two, remember, it wasnât Alice tossed the document to Luke and turned to leave. He reached for it, missing it as if trying. and failing, to hold onto her.
me must you who said Iâd kick you heartless?â
out first.
Ethan was shocked by the severance agreement. He looked at Luke and Luke incredulously. âWhat happened while I was gone?
Why has Alice changed so much?â Before, she would never have defied him! Now, sheâd left and presented a signed severance agreement! This wasnât a tantrum; it was serious..
Luke said wryly, âBrother! Aliceâs our only sister! Why did you say those things?â âI just thought she was becoming disobedient. I wanted to discipline her. Who knew sheâd actually leave? Once she runs out of money, sheâll be back.â
âNo use. I tried that before. Aliceâs a famous streamer now; she earns a lot. I heard her signing bonus was tens of millions.â
âAnd sheâs the valedictorian. She probably doesnât need us. Luke regretted his actions. Ethan was speechless, stunned by Aliceâs transformation.
Seeing her opportunity, Chloe fainted. She needed to regain the spotlight and have Ethan resolve the cheating issue.
Ethan immediately left with Chloe.
Luke clutched his stomach. Find out who reported Alice.â Something felt wrong. âYes, Brother Two. Your stomach problems are getting worse. Take care. Chloe made your medicinal porridge; remember to eat it.â
Luke shook his head. âNo use. Only Aliceâs porridge helps. I heard itâs from a famous doctor. Alice was very thoughtful.â He regretted not noticing her efforts.
âIâll find that doctor and get a new prescription.â
âI already tried. He refused. Alice worked for him for a year to get that recipe!â
Luke was shocked. âWe didnât know sheâd done so much! I thought it was easy to get. Heâd thought her porridge was useless.
eyes red.âLuke, We made many mistakes.
Lukeâs voice was hoarse, hoarse, his âBrother Two, if we sincerely apologize, sheâll forgive us. Weâre family.â Luke still believed Alice wouldnât truly cut ties.
Theyâd pushed her too far.
Luke nodded. âGo.â There was much work to be done.
Alice immediately called Jack after leaving the hospital. If Ethan harmed Jack, sheâd call the police. Her phone screen was cracked; the touch was iable. She anxiously stood there, âAnswer the phone!â
âAlice.â
She looked up and saw Jack. Her mind went blank. Tears welled up.âYouâre alright.â Jack extended his hand. Come on, Iâll take you home.â
She ran into his arms, her ears filled with the rhythm of his heartbeat, finding solace. He was safe!
Jackâs hand remained outstretched, now holding her close. His heart stirred. Heâd thought he was detached, but he wasnât. Alice was woven into the fabric of his life, silently flowing into his heart, forever a part of him.
He gently pulled her closer, looking down at her tearâstreaked face. His voice was arrogant.âTâll handle your brother.â