Chapter 199 Chloe was convinced Alice was being kept by Andrew Yates.
Ethanâs expression was unreadable.âAre you sure?â
bieru âThink about it, Brother. There were hints in New York. Now, sheâs in Washington, working at this company, and suddenly a shareholder. Somethingâs fishy.â
Ethan knew this tactic was common among the elite. Setting up small companies for mistresses was a small expense. But he hadnât expected Alice to hook up with a Yates heir. She was getting ambitious!
Chloe, seeing Ethan believe her, smirked.âBrother, we need a plan. If Alice has that man backing her, sheâll always look down on us!â
âShe dares. Iâll try to meet that Yates family member and talk about Alice.â He was her brother; the man couldnât ignore him. Alice couldnât keep making mistakes.
Outside, Alice finally relaxed. Her representative vented, âAlice, your brother is outrageous! Before Mr. Henry arrived, he mocked and belittled you. Then he changed his tune, using moral high ground! Itâs like you stole our trade secrets!â
Alice thanked Henry.âThank you so much. You were amazing.â
âIt was my job,â Henry replied. Seeing Aliceâs politeness, he contrasted it with the Alicesâ behavior. They were clearly biased. But with the Wilson family heir backing her, ten Alice families wouldnât matter. He remembered Alice and Jack were in that accident, and Jack asked him to keep it confidential. He finally met the girl the Wilson heir was so protective of.
Alice exchanged contact information with Henry before he left. She remembered Garrett Yates mentioning his cousin, but she didnât want to ask Henry. Sheâd ask Andrew Yates later. It was odd they both had the same surname.
Back at the company, Alice checked the AI project progress. With Henry as their lawyer, everyone was more confident and efficient.
Alice was coding when Jack arrived. She was wearing glasses, intensely focused on her work. Her fingers flew across the keyboard. She looked slightly dazed.
Andrew Yates whispered, âEthan contacted me through an intermediary, wanting to talk about Alice. They suspect something because of Henry.â
Jack looked away.âMeet him. See what he wants.â
âOkay, Iâll probe Ethan to see if he learned anything from Garrett Yates. Iâm off.â Andrew Yates left. He was merely a public front;
Ethan targeted him first.
Jack sat down, also checking the AI project. Time flew. The sun set. Alice finished her tests and stretched her neck. Everyone had left. Her bossâs office was still lit. Andrew Yates?
She knocked. A cold voice said, âCome in.â Jackâs voice.
She opened the door, seeing âJack at his computer, wearing a white longâsleeved shirt, sleeves rolled up to reveal his forearms.
âWhat are you doing here?â
âWhy canât I be here? Disappointed to see me?â He leaned back, his gaze on her. Alice leaned against the door.âI thought it was Andrew Yates. Youâre quite the diligent 56.7%
Chapter 199 consultant.â
âCome here. Did you find any problems?â
Menu Alice approached.âA few minor issues. Weâll need a meeting to address them.â Jack tapped his desk.âCheck this. Did you find the same problem?â Heâd also been testing? Alice went to his side. Jack stood and offered her his seat. He poured her a glass of water. Alice clicked the mouse.âYou found it too. I wasnât sure.â Jack was more skilled. He leaned over the computer, calmly explaining the issue. Alice listened attentively but then noticed they were close. He was bent over, almost holding her. She couldnât focus. She took a sip of water.
Jack straightened up.âThirsty?â
Alice nodded.
He smiled.âI drank from that cup.â
Aliceâs face flushed. âIâll get you another.â
âNo, letâs eat.â He created distance, as if erasing the moment of intimacy.
Alice stood. âItâs late. I need to get back to the dorm before curfew.â
Jack checked the time. It was late. YunDa dorm curfew was 11 pm.âIâll take you back.â Alice sat in the passenger seat. The silence was uncomfortable. She initiated conversation.âAndrew Yates didnât come today, huh?â
âWhy do you need him?â
âHe got that lawyer, Henry. The famous one!â
Jack said calmly, âYes, I know.â
âWhatâs Andrew Yatesâs relationship to Garrett Yates?â Alice knew Andrew Yates was wealthy, but she didnât expect him to be connected to the Yates family in Washington.
Jack stopped at a red light.âWhy ask?â
âGarrett Yates was at court with Chloe. He said something strange, implying Henry took the case because of his cousin.â She omitted Garrett Yatesâs comment about her affairs.
Jack knew he couldnât hide it.âHe is Garrett Yatesâs cousin.â
Alice was shocked.âAndrew Yates is the heir to the Washington Yates family?â She hadnât known he was so influential! âYour good buddy is loaded.â
Jack was slightly uneasy.âHeâs alright.â
âWhy didnât you tell me sooner?â
âNo need.â
Alice considered that. Andrew Yates probably didnât want to reveal his identity. The car stopped at the school. Alice waved goodbye.âDrive safely.â
âAlice, you ditch your sugar daddy for this poor schmuck? Playing both sides? Donât you worry that Yates will find out and dump you?â
Chloe, reeking of alcohol and perfume, stumbled out of a bare Jackâs expression turned cold.