Luke assumed they relied on their eldest brother. If eldest brother spoke, no one would disobey, including Alice. She was most afraid of Big Brother.


    Noah felt a stomach cramp from anger. "What am I supposed to say to you? This only pushes Alice further away!" She wasn''t just sulking.


    "But what can I do? I haven''t found a suitable recement. We''ll lose without her!” Luke didn''t. want to lose. He realized he''d truly lost Alice.


    "Don''t force Alice! Is thepetition more important than your sister? You''ll only lose her. Think about it.”


    Luke finally lowered his head, reluctantly."Can''t Alice understand me just this once? She knows how important this is to me, yet she''s using it to threaten me.”


    “Losing thepetition is fine, but if you force her with Big Brother, you''ll lose her. Is the


    your sister?”petition more important than


    Noah closed his eyes, unwilling to say more. He was constantly angered by Luke. He finally understood Alice''s situation.


    Luke, confused, left the ward. He found Secretary Davis. “Does Second Brother know where Alice is?” “Sixth Master, why do you want to find Miss Alice?"


    "To reconcile." Luke finally realized Alice was different. He''d just refused to admit it. Secretary Davis told him the address, hoping Luke would truly understand his mistakes Luke went to the apartment building, knowing only her address, not her unit number. He waited until Alice finished her livestream, then messaged her. He found she''d blocked him. He remembered Noah''s words; had he truly been wrong?


    He added her again: [Alice, I''m downstairs. Let''s talk. We''ve fought enough.) Alice, finishing her stream, received a friend request from an unfamiliar ount. It was Luke. The finals were tomorrow; he was desperate. She ignored it.


    Leaving her study, she saw Jack on the balcony, on the phone. His profile was handsome and mysterious in the dim light. She approached, noticing his gentle tone and caring words. She remembered his new girlfriend. Was he talking to her?


    Alice felt downcast. She drank some lemon water, then her phone buzzed. It was Luke''s friend request again: [If you don''te down, I''ll wait here. If paparazzi see you, your address will be exposed.]


    Alice was annoyed. She knew Luke often made headlines and attracted paparazzi. She didn''t want her peaceful life disturbed.


    She decided to go downstairs.


    “Where are you going?" Jack''s voice came from behind as Alice changed her shoes. She looked up; he''d returned from the balcony. A pang of bitterness hit her. She looked down."Luke''s downstairs. He wants to talk."


    "He asks, and you obey?" Jack frowned. "He''s begging you topete in tomorrow''s finals."


    "I know."


    14.38


    24.8%


    was


    an


    Menu


    order.


    tone to go.” His "Then you don''t need


    domineering, almost


    Alice felt rebellious."I''ll be back soon. You''re busy." She closed the door. Jack watched her leave, rubbing his temples. Was she sulking? He went to the balcony, seeing Luke by the entrance.


    Soon, Alice appeared, walking slowly. Jack returned inside.


    was


    away.


    on


    Alice felt conflicted. Had she been too obvious? She nced back at the apartment; the balcony


    she looked


    couldn''t She


    focus empty. Disappointed,


    Jack.


    She reached the entrance and saw Luke leaning against his car. She said impassively,“What? I''m short on time."


    Luke studied her; she''d changed. His tone was stiff.“I admit I was harsh, inconsiderate, and caused you hardship."


    Alice was surprised. "Rarely do I hear such sincere apology. Are


    a


    you


    done?"


    "I want to know what you think. I thought our arguments were minor; they wouldn''t affect other things." Alice scoffed.“Sixth Brother, if you think a few apologies erase everything and try to guilt-trip me, stop." "That wasn''t my intention."


    "I know. You think you''ve apologized, so I should prioritize the team andpete." cold and distant."I won''t bepeting."


    Her gaze was


    Luke panicked. "You always cared about the team''s wins and losses. You supported me in creating this team. We''re in the national finals, and you''re quitting?” He didn''t believe she''d give up; she''d cared so much before.


    Alice''s eyes were mocking.“Stop pretending. If Chloe weren''t so bad at gaming, and if you''d found a suitable recement, you wouldn''t be here begging me. Let''s be honest, shall we?"


    Luke stammered, "That''s not true."


    "You only care about winning. You don''t care about anyone else." Alice saw through him. She''d just not said it before.


    Luke was close to copsing. He yelled, "I care about more than winning! I care about you! The team isn''t what I imagined without you!" He''d created the team for his sister! He''d forgotten his initial intention. Now, it was toote.


    "Alice, give the team a chance." A chance for "him*?