Chapter 72
“I don’t want to repeat myself.”
Noah, usually mild–mannered, was frighteningly serious when he was angry.
He gritted his teeth as he glared at Luke.“Have you forgotten why we came here?”
Luke finally calmed down. He’d come to the party hoping to reconcile with Alice, but things had spiraled wildly out of control.
Chloe, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, whispered to Luke, “Luke, let’s go. My foot hurts.”
Luke, frustrated but defeated, reluctantly left with Chloe, without a single apology.
Alice watched the whole absurd drama unfold, feeling nothing but weary indifference.
Chloe’s same old tricks, Luke’s predictable reaction – it was all tiresome and irritating.
Noah swallowed his disappointment, carefully addressing Alice. “I apologize for Luke. I…I never expected him to act like that.”
The guilt gnawed at him, especially considering Luke’s brazen demand for Alice’s apology.
Alice’s voice was indifferent.“I don’t accept his apology.”
“Alice, I know you’re angry, and I am too. But you really can’t sign with Shrimp Live. It’s a cutthroat business, and I don’t want you to get hurt.”
He looked at her with pleading eyes. “I know you’ve always been a good girl, and I’ve neglected you. But that changes now. Sign with Green Apple Live, and you’ll have all the resources you need.”
“I’ve already signed with Shrimp Live.” Alice’s tone was casual.
Noah’s face froze. He hadn’t expected her to move so quickly.
He could hardly believe what he was hearing. “Such a monumental decision, and you made it all by yourself? Didn’t you consider discussing it with your family?”
“My life, my decisions.”
Alice turned and walked away, unwilling to engage further with Noah.
Noah watched her go, a mixture of helplessness and sorrow washing over him.
He realized that Alice had changed. She no longer relied on him or revolved around him.
The minor disruption at the party was swiftly forgotten.
Alice, the twelve–hit–combo gaming streamer, was a popular attraction.
The Shrimp Live manager personally approached her with a contract. “Ms. Welch, why don’t we sign this today?”
Alice nodded.“Okay.”
Noah watched in silence, silently emptying his wine glass, feeling a suffocating distress in his chest.
Alice stood on the stage, confident and accomplished.
He realized his little sister had grown up, no longer the dependent girl he remembered.
After the party, Alice made several valuable connections.
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< Chapter 72
Leaving with Alice, Jane was practically ecstatic.“That was so satisfying! Chloe got what she deserved! I’ll be dreaming about it!”
Alice smiled.“After all this time, Chloe’s tricks haven’t changed.”
But she wouldn’t be a victim this time.
Menu
Daniel, the coach of the Blitzkrieg Team, approached them with enthusiasm.“Ms. Welch, may I offer you a ride
home?”
Alice was about to refuse when Noah intervened. “No need. I’ll take my sister home.”
Daniel raised an eyebrow.“Are you sure your sister wants to go with you?”
“She’s always my sister. Don’t even think about it, Mr. Briggs.”
Noah didn’t want Alice involved with the Blitzkrieg Team.
Alice stepped back, putting distance between herself and Noah.“I can get myself home. I don’t need either of you.”
“Alice, I need to talk to you.”
Alice’s expression was calm.“I don’t think there’s anything to talk about.”
“Alice, I know you’re angry, and Luke’s behavior was unacceptable. I’ll make sure he pays for this. Are you really going to let this drive a wedge between you and the rest of the family because of Luke?”
Alice found the question laughable.
Hadn’t her family always sided with Chloe?
Alice responded coldly, “It makes no difference to me.”
While Alice was waiting for a taxi, a familiar car pulled up. Alice knew who it was.
The window rolled down, and Jack’s gaze met hers.“Get in.”
Alice got into the passenger seat. As she closed the door, Noah approached.“Alice, I know you’re tired now. Can we continue this conversation another time?”
Alice pursed her lips.“Maybe.”
Jack then started the car and drove off.
Noah stood there, defeated, turning to Daniel.“Mr. Briggs, Alice will never sign with your team. Give it up.”
“If you Welch family are so confident, why are you so afraid of competition? I’ve never seen such blatant favoritism. It’s unbelievable.”
Daniel, though, glanced in the direction Alice had gone.
If he wasn’t mistaken, he knew the driver was Jack.
He thought, “No wonder Alice was a twelve–hit–combo pro! But why is he here, personally picking up a girl? Something was definitely up.”
***
In the car, Alice discreetly glanced at Jack.“Why did you come here?”
“Just dropped by.”
Jack rested his slender fingers on the steering wheel, his expression slightly uneasy. “Did you enjoy the party?”
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“It was…interesting
Thinking of Luke’s and Chloe’s defeated looks lifted her spirits.
Menu
Jack looked at her, aware of what had transpired. He’d come to make sure she was okay, expecting her to be upset.
He didn’t expect her to be much stronger than he’d imagined.
Alice’s phone buzzed. A message from Ethan.
She didn’t bother reading it; it was probably more moral lecturing.
She was tired of their endless guilt–tripping.
Alice put her phone down.“Let’s get some barbecue.”
“Sure. Any favored restaurants?”
“There’s this amazing place near the south gate of my school. I used to sneak out to eat there. It felt like I was breaking the rules every time, always anxious about the aroma clinging to my clothes.”
Jack followed her lead.“Why sneak out?”
“Because Noah forbade junk food. He said it was unhealthy…” Her voice trailed off.
Jack noticed the shift in her mood.“Will you regret leaving the Welch family?”
“Never.”
Alice lowered her eyelids.“They were nice to me enough about trivial matters, but when it truly mattered–such as selecting a college after graduation, or anything involving Chloe–they always made me compromise, made me give way.”
She didn’t need their paltry favors. And she wouldn’t be manipulated by their guilt trips.
Jack’s lips curved into a slight smile. He’d worried for nothing.
The car pulled up near the south gate of Alice’s school.
Jack frowned at the slightly grungy surroundings but sat down calmly nonetheless.
Alice ordered a feast of her favorite things. “I haven’t had this in ages. And two beers, please.”
The waiter, looking at Jack, asked Alice, “What about your boyfriend?”
Alice froze. Boyfriend?
