Chapter 122 Lukeâs voice was humble.âTell me, and Iâll take care of it.â Heâd do anything to appease Alice.
Chloe knelt, pleading. âAlice, donât blame the butler. He didnât mean it. Iâm adopted; I shouldnât have used my birthday as the code.â
The butler said, âMiss Chloe, donât kneel for me. It was all my fault.â Chloe knelt, appearing humble and wronged.
Seeing Chloeâs swollen face, Luke softened.âChloe, thatâs not what I meant. This house is Mom and Dadâs; the code was always Aliceâs birthday. No one else had the right to change it.â
Chloe forced a smile. I know. Iâm adopted; I had no right. The butler overstepped. I promise it wonât happen again.â
The butler knelt.âMaster Two, Iâm sorry. I wonât be so presumptuous again! But Miss Chloe is innocent.â
Lukeâs tone softened. He looked at Alice.âAlice, theyâre apologizing.â
Aliceâs gaze was filled with sarcasm. Nothing had changed. Chloeâs tears and apologies were meant to force forgiveness.
Jack said coldly, âCan apologies erase the harm Alice suffered?â
âItâs family...â Luke tried to say, but Jack sped off.
Luke watched the car, sighing. Why couldnât Alice understand his predicament? It was difficult to be fair to both. Couldnât they give each other a chance?
A cold glint flashed in Chloeâs eyes after Alice left. She looked pitifully at Luke.âBrother Two, the butler has always taken care of everything. Donât fire him.â
Luke rubbed his temples.âHe canât be the butler anymore; heâll be a regular servant. Iâm going to Peking; the butler can stay here to help you with your studies!â He felt Chloe had been given enough opportunities; if she failed, it was her fault.
Chloe gritted her teeth.âThank you, Brother Two!â She needed to save the butler. But she wouldnât repeat a year locally; sheâd go to Peking!
Resentment filled her eyes as she watched Aliceâs car. She would crush Alice one day! In the car, Alice hummed happily. âMy hands are numb from slapping Chloe! Her expression was priceless! She thought Chloe should be an actress; it would be a perfect fit.
Seeing her cheerful mood, Jack realized his worries were unfounded. Alice had become much. stronger!
He said calmly, âWhen are you leaving?â
âTomorrow, after I finish everything. Iâll buy my ticket to Peking.â She glanced at him; she wouldnât see him often. He worked at the school.
Jack nodded.âLetâs have dinner tomorrow night.â He saw her sadness but couldnât soften. It was time to let go.
The next day, Alice saw a feast at Gatorâs apartment.
Gator said, âLittle Lemon, a farewell dinner.â
H Dapter 122 âThank you.â
Alice said to Gator, I hope the investment conference goes well.â
âMe too.â
She looked at Jack.âWill you come?â It was a new company project.
Jackâs lips were pressed together.âI wonât. Your pressed together. I wonât. You and Gator go; heâs the boss.â Disappointment washed over her. She knew this day would come, but it still hurt.
After dinner, Gator went to the balcony to call. Looking at Alice, Jack said calmly, âBe happy. Do what you want. Donât worry too much.â
âI know.â Her expression was disappointed.
Jack avoided her gaze.âFocus Alice smiled.âDating is my choice.â
on studying. Donât rush into relationships.â
He instinctively reached for her cup. âLittle Alice, you canât hold your liquor. Donât drink.â
âWill you control forever? Her eyes me Her eyes were calm as she looked at him.
She found Jack different; he was kind. Sheâd even thought he liked her, but sheâd been wrong.
Jackâs throat tightened.âNot necessarily.â
Aliceâs heart skipped a beat. What did that mean?
Jack continued, âSince you cut ties with your family, consider me your... family.â
âI donât need another brother.â
Alice stood up.âIâm full. Iâll pack.â She left, dejected.
Jack watched her go, his expression complex.
Gator entered. âFinished? Ready to let go?â
Jack remained silent, finishing his wine, his eyes dark. He understood Aliceâs feelings, but he wasnât worthy, not qualified.
The next day, Alice and Gator left for Peking.
Alice, feeling nervous, looked. out the window.âI hope our project stands out.â Gator said, âBe confident.â He hadnât expected Aliceâs talent. He thought Jack was paving the way for her; she was truly capable.
They arrived at the investment conference. Alice set up her presentation. Gator, wearing at baseball cap, followed her. He spotted someone familiar.âIâll use the restroom. You handle things.â
Alice nodded. Sheâd just settled when she saw Luke. She lowered her head. Why were they here?
Luke, surprised, approached. Alice, youâre here!â
Luke frowned.âAlice, why are you wearing Maple Leaf company clothing? Theyâre competing with Brother Two!â Why would she help an outsider?