Chapter 378 Alice hadnât expected the boss of PZ Company to show up at the wedding.
She remembered how, in her past life, the elusive boss of PZ Company always kept a low profile, rarely showing up in public and letting underlings handle all the business dealings.
It wasnât until PZ Company collapsed that the boss was finally caught.
Yet, by then, no one had heard a peep from him for ages.
That was what made Alice uneasy.
Jack hadnât uncovered much either. They were careful not to tip anyone off, not wanting to alert the wrong people, so they kept their investigation subtle.
Everyone was waiting for clues from Chloe, hoping to catch her father before making any moves. Alice didnât respond immediately, and Finn assumed he had managed to intimidate her. Finn grinned triumphantly, âOur weddingâs going to be held right here in this mansion. Weâve invited all kinds of important people. A lot of companies are eager to partner with PZ Company, but they donât have the chance. Theyâre all taking us seriously now.â
Chloe also beamed with satisfaction, adding, âAlice, after Iâm married, Iâll change the décor back. Will you be fine with that?â
Alice kept her face neutral, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
She was curious to meet the boss of the PZ Company.
Noah stepped in to smooth things over.âAlice isnât opposed. Sheâs probably just saying it to keep things civil.â
Chloe felt a pang of discomfort, thinking that Alice was deliberately provoking her. Chloe flaunted the necklace around her neck.âThanks for the gesture, Alice. Do you think my necklace looks good? Finn insisted on buying it for me today.â
Finn, eager to boast, added, âWeâre getting married, so of course Iâm getting you the best. Unlike some people who look all shiny on the outside but have nothing underneath.â Noah immediately knew Finn was referring to Alice.
His gaze turned complex as he stared at Alice and thought, âWho would have thought that the poor school doctor was actually Mr.
Wilson?â
Noah found it strange and wondered, âHow did this person end up in the school, and why was he so close to Alice?â
If it was a coincidence, it was one heck of a coincidence.
Unable to hold back, Noah asked, âSo, Alice, whatâs the deal with you and Mr. Wilson?â
âItâs nothing special.â
Aliceâs nonchalant response made Chloe smirk, âAlice, donât be too upset. After all, Jada doesnât like you. Jackâs just stuck between a rock and a hard place.â
Aliceâs lips curled into a cold smile as she adjusted her collar, making sure to show off the necklace she was wearing.
Chloeâs smug expression instantly vanished.
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< Chapter 378 Menu Alice pretended to just notice, her eyes widening in mock surprise.âI almost forgot about this necklace. Itâs funny though. It looks kind of like yoursâexcept yours is so plain. Not even a diamond.â
Aliceâs necklace, studded with small diamonds, caught the light, sparkling brilliantly. Chloe was immediately blinded by the glare, her jealousy surging.
Sheâd wanted that limited edition necklace for so long, but it was nearly impossible to get.
Finn, lacking the resources, had only been able to buy her a basic model. She didnât think that Alice, of all people, could afford one.
Alice smirked, âFinn, whatâs going on? Youâre getting married, but you something decent? How embarrassing.â
Chloe seethed but kept quiet.
canât even buy your wife Finn sneered,âAlice, what are you so proud of? Everyone knows where your necklace came from. Didnât you just sleep your way to the top?â
Noah could no longer keep quiet. He slapped Finn across the face.
Finn was stunned.âNoah, what the hell?â
âYou can insult others, but Alice is your sister. Watch your mouth!â Noah snapped. Noahâs fury was enough to make Finn back off.
Finn had always respected Noah. After all, it had been Noah who had cared for him when he was sick, never once showing any disdain.
Finn reluctantly swallowed his anger.âI didnât say anything wrong. Ask her if you donât believe me.â
Alice smiled faintly, âItâs true. Jack gave it to me. I didnât want it at first, but he insisted. What could I do? Finn, maybe you should take a page out of his book.â
âIf I had money like Jack, Iâd be able to buy anything I wanted.â
Finnâs envy flared again. He thought, âHow lucky Alice is.â
Alice shot a pointed look his way.âYou know you donât have money. You need to work hard. Right now, Chloeâs managing big projects for Ethan, helping him with the company. Finn, if you donât accomplish anything, people will start saying youâre living off of her.â
Finnâs face darkened. He no longer looked at Chloe with the same joy. He had been feeling unsettled lately, with Chloe always âworking lateâ and sometimes not even coming home.
But he didnât know if Chloe was really working late.
Chloe shot Alice a glare and then pushed Finn aside to comfort him. For now, she couldnât let Finn ruin her plans.
Only Alice and Noah were left in the hall.
Noah looked at her seriously.âAlice, do you know why Ethan is so obsessed with the AI project?â Ã lice said, âHow would I know?
All I know is that itâs a promising project, and everyoneâs vying to get a piece of it.â
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< Chapter 378 Menu Noah said, âCaleb and I are willing to support you if you want to return to the Welch family. Weâll back you up so you can do what you want. You wonât have to give in to anyoneânot even the Wilson family.â
Alice said, âYouâre wrong. Iâve never had to give in to anyone.â
âAlice, I know Iâve wronged you over the years. Alex knew what happened at home, and he even called Ethan to tell him not to be biased. Weâre all on your side.â
Alice let out a bitter laugh.âAlex called Ethan? To vouch for me?â
Noah replied, âYes, he said heâd support you. He wonât let you suffer at the Welch family.â
A flicker of disdain passed through Aliceâs eyes.
After all, she could still feel the pain from when she lost her kidney in her previous life. The memory of the surgery and the sharp pain still lingered.
Alice looked at Noah coldly.âEthan mentioned he had found a lead on the person in the car that day, but he hasnât told me anything. If you want to make up for things, Noah, maybe you should ask Ethan about it directly.â
âDonât worry.
I will. But what exactly is going on with you and Jack?â
a Noah was about to ask more, but Alice turned and left without word.
She came back just to watch the drama unfold and gather informationânot to play the role of a happy family member.
Noah watched her retreating figure and sighed.
He had thought Alice might warm up to the Welch family over time, but it seemed she still held a grudge.
The next day, Alice arrived at school and noticed Chloe was back too, walking handâinâhand with Max, like they were best friends.
Alice frowned. Something about their pairing felt off.
Elena quickly filled her in. Julia had met with Ethan to discuss the AI project.
Alice raised an eyebrow.âBut Max was bragging that the Garcia family and the Wilson family were collaborating. Why would Julia go straight to Ethan?â
âMaybe Mr. Wilson turned down the Garcia family. After all, the Maple Company is a new venture, partnered with Mr. Yates. Itâs not a Wilson family business, so thereâs no need to play nice.â
Alice was actually pleased when she learned Jack had refused to collaborate with Julia.
Max had boasted about it, but Alice hadnât pressed Jack about it. The inner workings of big family businesses were complicated enough, especially with Aviana being Jackâs motherâs close friend. It made things tricky, and Jack probably didnât want to turn her down.
Alice had understood that, so she hadnât asked.
But it turned out Jack had really turned Max down.
Alice lowered her voice.âHas the second payment been scheduled?â
She checked Chloeâs account, but there was no activity. Most likely, Ethan was keeping a close eye on things, preventing Chloe from making any moves.
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But Ethan couldnât keep his guard up forever.
âThe second payment is scheduled for the end of the month.â
Alice clicked her tongue. Chloe and Finnâs wedding was on the same day at the end of the month.
She thought, âLooks like that dayâs going to be one for the books,â