Chapter 30
The slap that left Alice’s palm tingling? She stared in shock at Jack, who suddenly seemed towering She hadn’t expected him to grab her hand and dap Lake
A stunned silence filled the room.
When Chloe saw Luke getting hit, she felt a bit of satisfaction. With this, Luke wouldn’t forgive Alice
Luke’s eyes were bloodshot, incredulous as he exclaimed, Alice! You actually dared to hit melt Wasn’t she worried that she might just ignore him forever!
Alice calmly withdrew her hand. It had felt good. “You hit me earlier, so I’m just returning the favor What’s the problem?”
“But I’m your brother! I was preventing you from saying something stupid that could lead to a disaster! It’s not the same Luke had always been proud, and even though he apologized earlier, he never thought he’d get slapped by Alice! He felt a bit humiliated.
Jack’s lips curled in a sneer.“Can I ask what she said that could cause this so–called disaster?
Luke looked at Chloe, justifying his actions.“Chloe was emotional earlier, and if Alice’s words triggered her, what if she did something to hurt herself?” He hadn’t done anything wrong. It was Alice who was too cold, lacking any familial warmth. Even if she won the competition, she shouldn’t hurt her family!
Jack looked at Chloe, his eyes icy.“We’ve been talking for a while. If you were going to kill yourself, why haven’t you done it yet? Who are you trying to impress by dragging this out?”
Chloe was taken aback by his bluntness. She hadn’t really wanted to die. But when had Alice become so close to this doctor? Feeling awkward, Alice held the blade, unsure whether to put it down or continue. She resorted to her old trick, eyes red,
“I–I was just anxious, I wanted to…”
“If you’re anxious, you can find a private place to end it, but using suicide to threaten others into doing what you want is just wrong!”
Chloe burst into real tears this time, not pretending.
Alice was exhausted and glanced at Jack. “Let’s go.” She didn’t want to waste any more time.
Noah frowned.“Where are you going?”
“It’s my business.”
“You’re a minor. As your guardian, I have the right to know, and you can’t just leave with a stranger!” Noah shot a wary glance at Jack. Had this guy led his little sister astray with all these changes?
Luke blocked Alice’s path. “Noah’s right. You’re young. Don’t let some smooth–talking guy fool you.
Noah glared at Jack.“If you dare to take Alice away, I’ll call the cops and say you’re abducting a minor.
Alice was a bit angry.“He didn’t abduct me; I want to leave.” She didn’t want to stay in the Welch family any longer. The situation was suffocating.
Noah looked at her, Alto, know you rebellious, and no maker who say, you won‘ liekam, kje
“Alice, I re day you’ll undersand I’m doing das for your own gr
Jack sucered For Alice’s good! So every time there a conflict, you make her come Every flave she
compromise! timu get hurt, you expect her in undercand you? Why don’t you take that kind of gut lat pouzdres Noah was speechless, realizing he’d neglected Alice he d always been obedient, never complaining Hard assumed she didn’t care. But she remembered everything. He’d failed as a besefer
Just then, the police arrived, accompanied by a lawyer.
The lawyer spoke, Tm Miss Welch’s lawyer Given the repeated violence from her family, we have filed evidence. She’ll be going to a safe place with police escort
Alice was surprised; she hadn’t hired a lawyer. Had Jack done in He met her gaze calmly, reassuring hey Luke was furious “What do you mean? We’re her guardians, what right do you have to do this
The lawyer blocked Lake “Sir, Miss Welch has applied for personal safety protection. You’re banned from contacting her for six months. If you harm her in any way, we will file a lawsuit
Luke was stunned, unable to speak, filled with anger and guilt. Noah felt defeated. At that moment, he truly realized he might lose his sister.
He softened his tone, “Alice, I haven’t been a good brother. I’m sorry. But I promise it won’t happen again. Can we not escalate it like this?”
Alice looked up, her eyes clear. “No.” There was no need for that.
After saying that, she turned and walked away.
Noah felt amp in his throat, his eyes stinging; he had indeed hurt Alice’s feelings. That’s why she wouldn’t believe him or return to the Welch family!
Luke, seeing Alice leave, panicked. She couldn’t go! She was their sister! He looked at Noah “Noah, do something! She can’t leave! We’re family!” What about the finals if she left?
Noah sighed. “If you know this, why did you hit her?”
Luke was speechless. He’d been the one to strike first! He regretted his impulsiveness. But it was because Chloe had held the razor to her wrist!
He looked at Chloe, his tone reproachful. “Why did you do something so dangerous?” It was all because of Chloe.
“Luke, I just wanted Alice to calm down and join the team. I was doing it for you.” Chloe was guilty but wouldn’t admit it.
Luke found it absurd. “You think self–harm will make her calm down? You’re just morally blackmailing
her!”
Chloe’s expression froze; had Luke suddenly become smarter?
Noah tried to smooth things over.“Luke, say less.”
“Noah, it’s true! I never forced Chloe to harm herself to make Alice join the team; she did it on her own, and that’s what led to all this!” The more Luke thought about it, the more wrong he felt.
15.10
Chloe
and back, looking pirifol Lake, Fm sorry I was too foolish and thought of this method in a panic. I realize now it was wrong. I’ll apologize to Alice and explain everything”
Seeing Chlor sincerely apologize, Luke woftened a bit, “Don’t do it again” But he felt a pang of sadness sering Alice g
Chloe suddenly brightened up, returning to her obedient and cheerful self. But she hated Alice. The self–harm tactic should have worked, it should have driven a wedge between Alice and Luke. It was all because of that doctor
Chloe said, “Noah, what’s the relationship between Alice and that school doctor?
Noah looked troubled. “I don’t know.
“Noah, I’m worried Alice might get tricked. After all, our Welch family is wealthy and powerful; a small school doctor might want to use Alice to dimb the social ladder.”
Luke scoffed. “That school doctor doesn’t have the right to think that way.”
Noah said coldly, “I’ll have someone bring her back and make that doctor disappear from New York. The Welch family weren’t to be trifled with.
Chloe’s eyes gleamed; without the doctor’s influence, Alice would be the same vulnerable girl.
But the men returned, reporting, “Mr. Welch, we couldn’t find Miss Welch or the doctor.”
Noah began to panic; Alice was missing?
