Was that an aChapter 43


    pology? It felt more like an attempt to force her to ept everything. Alice''s expression was neutral, but it made Luke''s heart sink. He had been feeling confident just moments ago. but now he was uncertain. He thought that with such a low bow and an apology, Alice would understand his intentions, right? He had never humbled himself like this for anyone. else! Alice was the first!


    Chloe seized the opportunity.“Alice, Luke put so much effort into this apology, you have to see how sincere he is."


    Luke looked ufortable.“Alice, you can ask for anything; I can meet your demands.”


    Alice raised an eyebrow, a hint of sarcasm in her voice."My demands are simple."


    Say it."


    Luke breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Alice was willing to negotiate, it meant she''d forgive him. She was just throwing a tantrum, feeling he favored Chloe! After making up, he''d have a


    serious talk with Alice.


    away


    From today on. stay from


    1. me. And don''t make decisions for


    Luke''s face froze instantly, his mind buzzing as if it had exploded.


    1. me.


    Alice turned and left, her back resolute, without a single backward nce.


    As she stepped out of the training base, a wave of heat hit her, and the summer cicadas made her feel inexplicably irritated.


    “Alice, what do I have to do to get your forgiveness? Just tell me!" Luke followed her out, his gaze


    earnest.


    Alice finally lost her patience."Can''t you understand what I just said? I suggest you go back to elementary school and retake it."


    “Alice, we''ve been close since we were kids. Just because I acted impulsively once, you n to never forgive me for the rest of your life and deny me as your brother?” Luke couldn''t believe she was so heartless.


    Alice found it amusing. Just once? It seemed that in Luke''s eyes, he still didn''t understand why she wanted to leave the Welch family. But she didn''t feel the need to exin. She didn''t want to look back, let alone beg for reconciliation.


    Alice''s gaze


    was cold and distant. "If you think that way, then 50 be it." Luke seemed stunned, speechless. He couldn''t believe she''d actually reject him.


    Chloe rushed forward, blocking Alice''s path.“Alice, thest incident was all my fault; I caused all of this. Starting today, I''ll move out of the Welch family, and you''ll never have to see me again.” Turning to Luke, tears welled in Chloe''s eyes. Luke, thank you for everything. I''m grateful." Luke instinctively reached for Chloe''s hand. “What are you doing? This has nothing to do with you. It''s between Alice and me."


    “No, Luke, you don''t understand! It''s my fault! I have to take responsibility!” Chloe shook her head, her maturity tugging at his heartstrings.


    Luke sighed. “Why can''t you be as understanding as Chloe, Alice?"


    Alice raised an eyebrow, tinged with mockery:“So having her is enough for you? Don''t bother me!”


    “Alice, you always think we favor Chloe, but have you looked at what you''ve done? Everyone has


    wouldn''t We


    be understanding,


    in this mess. feelings; if you Were as


    "So staying apart and being well is the best choice."


    Alice walked straight to the roadside, which was quite remote, with hardly any cars passing by. But she really wanted to leave this ce.


    Luke blocked her path:“I think we should have a good talk and clear things up!”


    Beep beep beep- A harsh honking sound erupted as a ck luxury car sped towards them. Luke turned to look at the car, which was heading straight for him without any intention of braking!


    "Luke, watch out!"


    Chloe dashed over, and Luke instinctively moved to pull Chloe out of the way, but he turned back to look at Alice, who was standing still. Realizing what he''d done, he screamed, "Get out of the way!"


    Alice''s expression was nk, her eyes devoid of emotion.


    With a screech, the car stopped next to Alice. The window rolled down, revealing Jack''s stern face."Get in."


    A faint smile touched Alice''s lips. She knew it was him. She bent down to get in the car, and outside, Luke''s voice rang out: "Alice, you can''t go with him!"


    Alice turned her head to look at the approaching Luke and rolled up the window, cutting off everything outside. Luke chased for a while before finally stopping in frustration. He pounded the ground, wondering how it hade to this. Just moments ago, he had left Alice standing there.


    He remembered her expression and felt a pang of panic. What had he done? He''d instinctively chosen Chloe, but that didn''t mean he didn''t care about Alice. Chloe had saved him. Would Alice understand? He was losing his footing.


    Chloe caught up, worried. “Luke, are you okay? Alice will be fine. She didn''te homest night, probably with that school doctor."


    Luke straightened his expression:“Alice is being led astray by that school doctor. Although she used to throw tantrums, she never


    against her family like this!"


    acted out


    against


    way to get everything back on track!


    Alice had changed. He had to find


    In the car, Alice rolled down the window, letting the outside wind blow in, not saying a word. Jack drove without asking questions, taking her back to her apartment.


    In the elevator, Alice nced at him. she stole a nce at him:"Are you angry?"


    She had noticed Jack''s expression wasn''t great while they were in the car. The man looked at their reflections in the elevator:“You''ve made progress this time; you knew to call for help when being taken away.” "Because it happened so suddenly, someone confessed to me at the school gate, and I sprayed them with a fire extinguisher. The person was from Washington and not someone to mess with. When the conflict broke out, my Sixth Brother rushed out to help and forced me into the car. But I didn''t expect he would take me to the team base."


    She hadn''t expected Luke''s borate apology and the banner inviting her to join. She hadn''t


    12:31


    agreed to anything. The old Alice would''ve been pressured into it. But now, as long as she had not morals, then morals couldn''t bind her.


    "Who confessed to you?"


    Alice


    shrugged. Just the school


    hunk from


    next the private school


    door!"


    Jack narrowed his eyes. "Is he the one you have a crush on?"


    "Impossible, it''s not him!" Alice chuckled.


    They reached their floor. Alice stepped out. Jack watched her back, his tone a bit stiff:“Kid, don''t date too


    early!"


    me


    old father!"


    like an old


    "I know, you''ve said it many times; don''t lecture. Jack followed her slowly, his brows furrowing as if he was pondering something. Alice noticed fresh vegetables and fruit in the kitchen.“Are you nning to cook for yourself?” “Of course not. The housekeeper was supposed to do it. But then I got a certain someone''s.


    message.


    Alice felt a twinge of guilt."Maybe I can cook from now on. I''m pretty good at it." Jack''s eyes narrowed. "When


    did you learn it?”


    ''I often cooked for everyone at home, especially Ethan and Noah. They had stomachs and


    poor could only eat the food I made..." Alice trailed off."I learned a long time ago."


    She''d learned to cook for her brothers.


    Jack didn''t seem pleased. ''Alice, your hands aren''t for cooking."