Sometimes, what you fear mostes true. Jack was furious at the middle-aged man''s sudden appearance. He calmly nodded and left with Alice.


    Looking back, the man was gone! "Who was that?"


    "I don''t know."


    “But he called you ‘Mr. Wilson. Alice looked at Jack suspiciously.


    Jack''s heart sank; how could he exin?


    Alice said, “Maybe someone Maple Leaf worked with before. Manypanies contacted us after the conference. She assumed he was there for business.


    Jack, not exining, yed along. “The project''s promising.”


    "It''s amazing! Imagine it in self-driving cars..." She realized she''d revealed too much! Jack looked at her."You know a lot about this industry." His team had analyzed it; it had great potential. Few were optimistic, but Alice had a unique perspective.


    They arrived at Alice''s apartment. Alice opened her shoe cab. I don''t have any shoes for you. Use mine.” She''d only recently moved in.


    Jack looked around; it was sparsely decorated but functional. Seeing his mismatched pink slippers, sheughed. "Sorry, but no one will see."


    Jack wasn''t bothered. Seeing her getting vegetables, he said, "Order from a restaurant. Don''t cook." "I''m not trying to impress you; I''m entertaining a friend!" When she''d offered to cook at his apartment, he''d told her not to try to please anyone. This was different. This was her home. Jack helped her chop vegetables. Two people''s meal was easy to prepare. Alice made three dishes and a soup, taking a photo for her social media. She had several missed calls-Luke. He called again. She hung up.


    "Alice, I''ll tell the police about Chloe. Don''t worry."


    *Even with the broken camera, I''ll testify for you."


    She put her phone down. She didn''t need Luke''s help. Chloe wouldn''t press charges; what if the footage was restored?


    Jack nced at her phone. “Messages from the Winds?*


    "Yes.


    Brother thinks I''m vicious for hurting Chloe; he''ll get


    revenge.


    Jack''s gaze darkened. "What did he say?"


    “Luke said the cameras are broken; he''ll exin to the police. But I don''t care!" The Winds were masters of maniption. She wouldn''t waver.


    Seeing her resolve, Jack knew she''d manage alone in Peking.


    Luke texted again and called, but she didn''t answer. He''d thought she''d answer, hoping to speak. She didn''t. He felt anxious.


    Ethan scoffed. "Is she too scared to answer?"


    "Brother, Alice isn''t like that. We can''t rely on Chloe''s word alone." The broken cameras didn''t


    36.5%


    broke the


    prove Alice''s guilt. Why did Ethan believe Chloe and not Alice? Luke realized Ethan''s bias. “Luke, you''ve been brainwashed! Chloe''s injured, and you say Alice is innocent? I suspect Alice cameras!" Ethan had hoped the footage would. prove everything. Chloe coughed. "Brother, let it go." She was relieved the cameras were broken. She''d nned her defense, but it wasn''t needed. If they pressed further, what if the footage was restored? She couldn''t risk it!


    Ethan said, pleased, "You''re too kind."


    Luke was suspicious. "Chloe, did Alice push you?"


    Chloe stammered, "Yes."


    "Alice was downstairs; you were upstairs. How did she push you?" It didn''t make sense.


    Chloe said nervously, "I Was persuading Alice, but she pulled me: I fell.”


    “But you said she pushed you?" Why hadn''t she mentioned "pulling"? Her story didn''t add up!


    Chloe panicked, coughing.


    Ethan


    interrupted.“Luke, why


    why are you


    "I''m trying to find the truth."


    interrogating her like a criminal?"


    "They argued and fought. It''s obvious," Ethan dismissed it as a trivial sisterly squabble. But Alice''s attitude angered him. He wanted her to apologize.


    Luke felt exhausted."Brother, it''s not like that. You can''t just


    can''t just me


    me Alice!"


    "You''re brainwashed! She''s spoiled!" Luke left, frustrated. Why didn''t Brother believe him? He realized Chloe was maniptive, not innocent. Seeing Ethan''s bias reminded him of his own past behavior. No wonder Alice


    left.


    Chloe rushed out."Brother Two, are you angry? I was trying to get Alice toe home.


    “Move out. I won''t cut off your finances. What do you say?”


    Chloe froze. "Brother Two, I.....”


    Luke''s gaze was intense. You won''t agree? You were lying?"