Chapter 73
Alice’s cheeks flushed as she looked at Jack settling beside her.
She stammered, “No, you misunderstood. He’s not my boyfriend.”
The waiter chuckled. “I know you young folks like to play coy. He’s a handsome one. You’re lucky.”
Alice, blushing, returned to her seat. Jack looked up.“What did he say?”
“N–nothing. Mr. Wilson, is there anything you’d like to eat?”
“I’m not hungry.”
Jack disliked barbecue. He frowned at the peanuts and two beers the waiter had brought.
He looked at Alice sternly.“Girls shouldn’t drink.”
“I’m a grown woman! Why can’t I drink?”
Alice felt triumphant. She had secured the Shrimp Live contract, achieving financial independence. So she
wanted a little celebration.
Why couldn’t she drink for it?
Jack moved her beer away.“No, you just can’t.”
Alice was exasperated.
Just then, Jack’s phone rang. He stood up.“Excuse me, I’ll take this call.”
Alice, watching him go, secretly grabbed her beer.
Even if he wouldn’t let her drink it, she’d drink it anyway.
Jack answered his phone as he walked towards the street.“Hello, Mom.”
“Jack, haven’t you finished your business in New York yet?”
“Almost done.”
you think?”
“Good. We should finalize the engagement with the Garcia family’s daughter. Well, what do
Jack looked at the lengthening shadows on the road, his voice cold. “Let’s talk when I get back. Focus on your health for now.”
“The Garcia family’s daughter is lovely and well–behaved. She often visits to keep me company. Since you don’t have a girlfriend, Why not think about settling down with someone from a fine family? Don’t you think so?”
Jack’s face darkened, his eyes filled with a barely suppressed anger.
His lips pressed together, but his voice remained calm. “Take good care of yourself, Mom.”
After some gentle soothing, he ended the call.
He sent a text:“I need to know the recent activities of the Garcia family.”
He stood for a moment, looking so lonely. Then he turned to Alice, finding her sipping her beer.
His eyebrows furrowed, and he strode towards her.“Did I allow you to drink that?”
He took the beer from Alice’s hand. She tilted her head, looking at him defiantly.“No, but I wanted to. Is there a problem?”
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< Chapter 73
Jack saw the empty beer cans scattered on the table. She’d had quite a bit.
He supported her up with a straight face.“Alice, wake up!”
“What?”
“Let’s go home.”
She shook her head.“I don’t have a home anymore. I’m a free spirit now.”
Seeing tears in her eyes, Jack held her close, his voice calm.“Stop being silly.”
“I’m not. I’m perfectly sober.”
Alice looked up at Jack, her gaze lingering on his handsome profile.
She impulsively touched his face.“Mr. Wilson, has anyone ever told you how handsome you
Jack swallowed his saliva, silent. He carried her to the car.
He put Alice in the passenger seat, and then he sat in the driver’s seat.
Then he awkwardly avoided her gaze.“Seatbelt.”
Alice blinked.“Right, seatbelt. The life–saving belt!”
She reached for it, but it was jammed. How strange.
Impatient, Jack leaned over and fastened it for her.
are?”
They were very close. He smelled the beer on her, and she could see the length of his eyelashes.
Alice held her breath, her heart pounding. Out of impulse, she held his arm.
Jack paused and turned to her, only to see her beautiful eyes.
He asked softly, “What…”
Alice leaned in and kissed him. The action left her breathless.
He didn’t move, the streetlights blurring his features, hiding his expression.
Alice stammered, “Mr. Wilson, if you don’t have a girlfriend… How about me?”
Jack’s pupils dilated. He recoiled as if shocked.
He rested his hands on the steering wheel. “You’re drunk.”
Then he started the car and drove towards the apartment, silent all the way.
It took him a long time to calm down.
At a red light, he stopped the car and glanced over. Alice was asleep.
He’d never felt such internal conflict, yet she was asleep?
He hoped she wouldn’t remember any of this when she woke up the next day.
MATE
After returning to the apartment, Jack carried Alice into her room, removing her heels and tucking her into bed.
He stood beside the bed, gazing at her for a moment, his expression unreadable.
As Jack turned to leave, he heard her voice.“Mommy, I want water.”
His steps faltered. Upon hearing her sweetly call out “Mommy,” he felt as if he was struggling to catch his breath.
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< Chapter 73
Jack got her a glass of water.
He sat beside her, helping her drink.
After drinking the water, she clung to him.“Mommy, I miss you so much. You’re the best.”
Jack’s fingers clenched around the glass.
He felt like he was sinking into an abyssal sea, never to resurface.
Moonlight streamed through the window. Jack watched the sleeping girl, sensing something was changing,
The next morning, Alice woke up with a splitting headache.
She massaged her aching head.
She’d overdone it last night.
She remembered sneaking a few beers while Jack was gone, but that was all she could remember.
Alice found she was still in yesterday’s dress, which felt a bit constricting and uncomfortable.
She showered and felt slightly better.
She still couldn’t remember what had happened after she got drunk.
Alice opened her phone and saw articles about her identity.
“Famous Streamer Sweet Lemon’s Real Identity Revealed: Lady Welch!*
Alice had expected her identity to be revealed right after she showed up at the party and hadn’t tried to hide it.
It was better this way; otherwise, the rumors of her having a secret sugar daddy would continue to be debunked.
Luke’s confident predictions about her joining the Landing Team were met with widespread ridicule.
Her phone rang.
The number looked familiar. Alice bet it was Luke.
She hung up without answering, a smirk on her face. Why was Luke so confident that she’d join Landing Team?
But then, her gaming forum inbox exploded.
“Alice, answer the phone! Why did you ignore it? Are you guilty?”
“Alice, tell the media the truth! You were the one begging me to join the Landing Team!”
< C
