Chapter 316 Alice never dreamed sheâd see Madam Wilson again under these circumstances. Sheâd expected a wealthy matron to wave a check in her face, warning her not to try to climb the social ladder. This was completely unexpected.
to worry But Alice didnât sign, leaving the boxes on the table. She said seriously, âYou donât need to about Jack and me...â
âChild, I want you to be my daughter, not because of Jack. Iâm his stepmother; I canât control everything. But I genuinely like you.â Madam Wilson saw the apprehension in Aliceâs eyes; her actions could easily be misinterpreted. But she truly wanted to make amends and liked Alice. Knowing Aliceâs unhappy life, she wanted to offer her a nurturing family. But Madam Wilson, didnât you prefer Miss Garcia as your daughterâinâlaw?â Madam Wilson hesitated, then explained awkwardly, âI did, but it was just wishful thinking. Jack never agreed. Donât misunderstand him; heâs only ever liked one girl you.â
Madam Wilson couldnât lie to Alice about that. But that girl girl was Alice.
Madam Wilson couldnât imagine Aliceâs reaction to the truth about the car accident, but the hurt would be far greater.
Alice felt conflicted after hearing Madam Wilsonâs explanation. Were Juliaâs words all lies?
The door opened, and Jack strode in, a stern expression on his face, accompanied by TGâs PR team.
Alice was stunned. Since their breakup at the gym, theyâd had no contact. He was in a suit, his hair perfectly styled, the epitome of a successful businessman.
Jack saw Alice in the salon robe, with a seaweed mud mask on her face. She didnât look like she was being pressured by his mother. The atmosphere was tense.
Alice glanced at Jack and looked away.
Madam Wilson stood up. âHow did you get here? And with all these people? Are you here to fight?â
Jackâs lips were thin. Heâd rushed over after receiving a message from Li Man. He went to Aliceâs side.âMom, I told you not to interfere with Aliceâs life.â
âI wasnât interfering! I invited her for a spa treatment and bought her gifts.â Madam Wilson felt wronged.âOh, and I have something to tell you: I want to adopt Alice as my goddaughter. You know Iâve always wanted a daughter, but Wilson Garcia is a boy.â This had been a longâstanding regret.
Jackâs expression changed.âNo.â
âWhy not? You broke up, didnât you?â
The words âbroke upâ pierced Jackâs heart.âI never agreed to break up, and I wonât.â Alice could be his girlfriend, not his sister.
Jack frowned. âIf you want a daughter, have another one with Dad. IVF technology is so advanced; itâs not a problem.â
Madam Wilson was speechless.
Alice was surprised but remained silent. Jack and his stepmother seemed to have a good relationship.
Madam Wilson grabbed Aliceâs hand, angrily addressing Jack.âYou got dumped, and thatâs not my Tault.â
Jack looked exasperated. âIâm trying to make things right. Can you stop interfering? Alice felt awkward. Could they stop mentioning the breakup? Did they think she wasnât there? Wasnât the wealthy matron supposed to wave a check? Why was this so unconventional? Madam Wilson was still holding Aliceâs hand.âAlice, go wash your face and change. Iâll take you shopping. I heard there are new clothes, perfect for young girls. Her excitement was barely contained; she wanted to indulge in dressing up a daughter. Wilson Garcia had been a disaster to dress.
Alice hesitated, looking for an excuse to refuse.
Jack glanced at the time. She needs to return to school. The dorm has a curfew.â
âOh, right. I forgot. Letâs do this another time.â Madam Wilson looked regretful.
Alice nodded. After hearing Madam Wilson clarify that Jack and Julia werenât engaged, she was unsettled. Her anger and the breakup stemmed from Jackâs relationship with Julia. Now she knew Julia had lied.
Jack took Aliceâs wrist. âIâll take her back.â
Madam Wilson said quickly, Take the gifts.â
âIâll buy her more.â Alice had no chance to respond before Jack took her away.
Outside the room, Alice uncomfortable. I havenât changed yet stopped, ll have Li Man get you something.â Jack didnât want her alone with his mother, fearing a slip of the tongue.
Alice blushed, whispering, Iâm not wearing a bra.â How could she go out like this?
Jack looked at her, took off his jacket, and draped it over her. He told someone, âGet her a room to change.â She couldnât go out with mud on her face.
Li Man arrived, taking Alice to another room.
After washing and changing, Alice felt relieved. Looking at Li Man, she guessed, âYouâre his person, arenât you?â Sheâd thought the TG team was working for her because of Andrew Yates. Now she realized Jack had arranged it all.
Li Man looked awkward.âMiss Windham, Mr. Wilson cares deeply about you, not to monitor you.â His concern was far from casual.
Alice said nothing. Leaving the room, she saw Jack outside, talking in a low, serious tone, with an air of authority. Sheâd never seen this side of him.
He turned, his expression softening. He quickly gave instructions and approached her.
Alice felt overwhelmed. Jack instinctively reached for her hand, but she pulled away. She knew the Jack sheâd seen was the real him.
*
His hand fell to his side; he smiled wryly.âDonât take my motherâs words to heart.â Alice looked up, deliberately saying, âAuntie Wilson wants me to be her goddaughter and gave me a lot of money. I might consider it.â She sensed Madam Wilson wasnât trying to humiliate her with money.
Jackâs face darkened.âNo. I donât need another sister.â
He needed