Chapter 237 Seeing the photo, Alice went blank. Her hand trembled as she zoomed in. Even though it was just a profile, she couldnât be mistaken. It was Chloeâs fatherâthe driver whoâd supposedly died with her parents. But he was alive?
A chill ran down her spine; a vast conspiracy felt like it was closing in. Her mind raced. If Chloeâs father was alive, who was the driver who died? Why had he faked his death and remained hidden? There was a hidden truth.
Alice asked, âMs. Alice, whatâs wrong? Is there Is there something about this person? âNothing.â Alice said, quickly composing herself.âWhat did he and Chloe discuss?â
âJust a few minutes, then they left hurriedly and cautiously. If they hadnât been worried about being seen, we might have overheard their conversation.â
âKeep an eye on Chloe, but be discreet. Investigate this man. See what you can find.â
After Alice left, Alice studied the photo again and again. Why was the driver alive? The car accident wasnât as simple as it seemed; there was a hidden truth. She couldnât remember the details of the accident; if she could, she would know the truth.
Alice pulled the blanket over her head, shivering. Chloe meeting her father meant she knew something. Chloe had lived a comfortable life in the Windham family for years; Mom and Dad wouldnât be happy.
A cold fury filled Alice; she needed to find out the truth and avenge her parents. She would probe Ethan to see if he knew the truth and had kept it from her.
Alice rested, having little appetite for lunch. Jack called.âHeard you didnât eat much. Feeling down?â
Alice hesitated.âBlake sent a video of Chloe apologizing. He beat her up. Itâs ironic; the Windhams are inherently selfish.â While Chloe deserved it, the blame fell solely on her, making Blake appear innocent.
Jack, overlooking the city from his office, said patiently, âDonât be fooled by their games.â
âI know.â
âFeeling cooped up? Go for a walk in the garden. Iâll have a computer installed in your room; Daniel can play games with you.â
Alice quickly refused. Iâll be discharged soon. A computer is unnecessary.â Jack didnât push it.
Hanging up, Aliceâs mind raced. Sheâd thought the accident was just bad luck. But there was more to it.
Jack returned in the afternoon. Seeing Aliceâs relatively calm demeanor, he relaxed. âYou sounded down on the phone.â
âDonât worry. I wonât be manipulated by the Windhams.â She tiptoed closer.âDid quickly because youâre worried about me?â
you come back Jack looked down at her, his throat tightening. He gently touched her face.âYes. I never want to see you cry like that again.â He remembered her tearful live stream; even though she was acting, it had distressed him. Heâd cut a meeting short to come back.
Alice leaned her head against his hand. âHave I ever cried that much before?â She didnât remember. doing so.
1720 Jackâs lips tightened. Yes, after the accident. When he rescued her, sheâd sobbed uncontrollably, even biting him when he wouldnât let her near the burning car. But sheâd forgotten. His palm felt warm as his gaze locked on her face.
As he leaned in, Alice straightened, clearing her throat. âYou probably havenât eaten either. Iâm hungry.â
âI am hungry,â he admitted, taking her hand, his gaze meaningful.
Alice looked down at their intertwined fingers.âWhat are we now?â
Jack tucked a stray hair behind her ear. After youâre discharged, Iâll take you somewhere.â
âWhere?â
âA surprise. To make things official.â
Aliceâs eyes flickered. Official? A relationship? While things had changed between them, they hadnât discussed their relationship status. Jack was thoughtful.
They ate dinner; Alice didnât tell him about Chloeâs father. It was just speculation.
The next day, Alice delivered the update. âMs. Alice, we lost them. The man was very cautious. We found no information on him;
itâs like he doesnât exist.â
Alice felt a pang of disappointment. It was as if he didnât exist; after all, he should be dead. Seeing Chloeâs bruised face, Alice suspected she was seeking help. Chloe had been flawless for years, presenting herself as an orphan while enjoying the privileges of a Windham family daughter. Given her vanity, she wouldnât seek out her father unless desperate. If Chloeâs father Was still alive, her position in the Windham family would be jeopardized.
Alice said, âBlakeâs attack scared Chloe into seeking help. Her secrets were unraveling. She needed ΤΠforce more contact between Chloe and her father to find more evidence.
Alice received a message from Blake:âDid Chloe apologize? If not, Iâll keep beating her until she does.â His tone hadnât changed.
He was treating Chloe as heâd treated her. Alice realized Chloe had sought out her father because of the beating. A mischievous plan formed in her mind. She texted Blake:âShe didnât come.â
Blakeâs mood lifted. If Chloe apologized, things would be alright between him and Alice. He saw Chloe entering Noahâs room with a food container. His face turned cold. He grabbed Chloeâs hair.âChloe, I told you. to apologize to Alice! Have you forgotten?â
This chapter continues the suspenseful narrative, focusing on Aliceâs investigation into Chloeâs father and hinting at further confrontations and revelations. The Americanized elements and colloquial language are consistently present.
Chapter 238